Logotherapy

Analytical Essay # 62826

Holocaust Studies
Philosophy > History - 20th Century
Psychology > Therapies

Logotherapy

This paper discusses the concept of logotherapy as presented by Viktor Frankl's "Man's Search for Meaning".

1,120 words () | 2 sources | MLA | 2005 United States

Paper Summary:

This paper explains that logotherapy, "therapy through finding meaning" contains three basic beliefs: (1) Life has meaning under all circumstances even the most miserable ones; (2) the main motivation for living is the will to find meaning in life and (3) people have the freedom to find meaning in what they do and experience or at least in the attitude taken when faced with a situation of unchangeable
suffering. The author points out that Viktor Frankl developed the theory of logotherapy through the psychoanalysis of himself and other prisoners of concentration camps during the Holocaust. The paper reveals that Frankl observed that people are willing to endure any suffering, if they are convinced that this suffering has meaning; however, suffering without meaning leads to despair.

From the Paper:

"Each person has to decide what attitude to adopt. An example from the book to describe this theory is found during their liberation. Frankl explained that some of the prisoners, now being free, thought they could use their freedom licentiously and ruthlessly. The only thing that had changed for them was that they were now the oppressors instead of the oppressed. They justified their behavior by their own terrible experiences. He describes walking across a field of green crops with his friend who trampled on the young crops and became annoyed because Frankl did not follow. He shouted, "You don't say! And hasn't enough been taken from us? My wife and child have been gassed - not to mention everything else - and you would forbid me to tread on a few stalks of oats!" "