About 10 years ago, I read Viktor Frankl’s Man’s Search for Meaning. I don’t recall how I discovered Man’s Search for Meaning , but I recall reading it to find out what apparently millions of other people were trying to discover. A search for meaning. Yeah, it is ok to admit that. You and I are not alone.
The book has been a huge success, selling over 16 million copies. Frankl had an interesting take on the “success” of his book. In the preface to the 1992 edition, Viktor Frankl notes that journalists ask “Dr. Frankl, your book has become a true bestseller – how do you feel about such a success?” Frankl’s responds with, “…I not at all see in the best seller status of my book an achievement and accomplishment on my part but rather an expression of the misery of our time…”
Man’s Search for Meaning came back on my radar a short time ago and I had to revisit the book. In September, Howard Stern interviewed newsman Anderson Cooper. Cooper is a famous journalist and descends from one of the most famous American families – his maternal grandparents were millionaire equestrian Reginald Claypoole Vanderbilt of the Vanderbilt family and socialite Gloria Morgan Vanderbilt, and Reginald’s patrilineal great-grandfather was business magnate Cornelius Vanderbilt. While Cooper was on promoting his new book, Astor: The Rise and Fall of an American Fortune, the interview became personal as the men discussed handling grief. One would think that Cooper’s life would have been wonderful – but rarely are things as they seem. Cooper, like many, has experienced deep trauma in life and it has had a profound effect on him. Cooper’s father died from heart disease when he was 10 years old. And when Cooper was 21, his older brother committed suicide. Cooper mentioned, that once a year, he reads Victor Frankl’s Man’s Search for Meaning. He did not specifically state why he reads the book every year. I think reading the book can help put life into perspective. I just finished reading the book again.
Viktor Frankl
Viktor Frankl was an Austrian neurologist, psychiatrist, and Holocaust survivor. He is best known for Man’s Search for Meaning, in which he recounts his experiences as a prisoner in Nazi concentration camps during World War II. Frankl developed logotherapy, a form of psychotherapy that emphasizes the search for meaning in life as a central human drive.
While parts of the book are dark, Frankl’s book can be inspiring and uplifting. While Frankl describes in detail the utmost horrors he endured, his experience reinforced one of his ideas about life. Frankl’s experience showed him that life was a quest for meaning. The meaning can come from work, love or trying to overcome an extremely difficult situation. If you do read the book, and I hope you do, be forewarned that Frankl paints a very morbid picture of the atrocious acts people are capable of inflicting on one another. I never knew that a humans could take so much abuse and suffering and continue to live. There are several important themes I took from the book.
The Freedom of Attitude
One of the central tenets of Frankl’s philosophy is the idea that, regardless of external circumstances, individuals possess the freedom to choose their attitude towards those circumstances. Frankl writes,
“Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms—to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances.” This powerful insight emphasizes the autonomy of our inner lives and the importance of maintaining a positive and purposeful attitude, even in the face of unimaginable challenges.
Finding Meaning in Suffering
Frankl argues that finding meaning in life is essential for human well-being, and this meaning can be found even in the midst of suffering. He states,
“Suffering ceases to be suffering at the moment it finds a meaning, such as the meaning of a sacrifice.” This perspective challenges the notion that a life devoid of suffering is the only path to happiness. Instead, Frankl suggests that by ascribing meaning to our struggles, we can transform them into opportunities for growth and transcendence.
The Pursuit of Purpose
Frankl introduces the concept of the “will to meaning,” asserting that individuals are driven by an innate desire to find purpose in their lives. He writes, “Life is never made unbearable by circumstances, but only by lack of meaning and purpose.” This emphasizes the importance of actively seeking and creating meaning in our lives, as it serves as a driving force that enables individuals to overcome adversity and discover a deeper sense of fulfillment.
As a father and a parent, at times things can be overwhelming. As optimistic and as positive as one tries to be, that negative and pessimistic voice creeps back into your head. Bad things will happen no matter what. However, we have the power to embrace the tough times and choose how we want to think and live. Frankl reminds you that addressing and solving the problems will lead to a sense of meaning and satisfaction. If you do get a chance, I suggest reading Man’s Search for Happiness. Let me know what you think about the book.
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Amazing