🚀 The Book in 3 Sentences

1. The meaning of life is constantly evolving and changing
2. The tensionless state is not the state to be in
3. Meaning in life is the primary force in human existence

🕵🏼Who Should Read It?

I can recommend this book to everyone interested in the events that occurred in a Nazi camp. Additionally, since Viktor Frankl is a psychiatrist with extensive knowledge in the field of psychiatry, the book is interesting for anyone who wants to learn more about the psychological aspects of individuals in extreme situations and their search for meaning in life.

☘️ How the Book Changed Me

Personally, I already knew some things about the events in concentration camps from movies and documentaries, but the book provides a different perspective on the story – one that focuses on the human mind in these situations. This is highly intriguing and has altered and influenced my perspective on the meaning of life, particularly the idea that the meaning of life can change from hour to hour, month to month, or year to year. Logotherapy has indeed altered my perspective on how I view the meaning of life and how to discover it.

✍️ My Top 3 Quotes

“Emotion, which is suffering, ceases to be suffering as soon as we form a clear and precise picture of it.” Baruch Spinoza

“He who has a why to live for can bear with almost any how.” Friedrich Nietzsche

“Don’t aim at success— the more you aim at it and make it a target, the more you are going to miss it.” Viktor E. Frankl.

📒 Summary + Notes

The young adult version of the book that I read is structured very effectively, interweaving Viktor Frankl's real-life experiences in the camp with his development of logotherapy. Additionally, at the end of the book, there is a chronology of Viktor's life along with some authentic photographs.

Viktor Frankl’s Live

Frankl was born in Austria in 1905 and developed an early interest in philosophy, experimental psychology, and psychoanalysis. While in high school, he corresponded with Sigmund Freud as he attended adult education philosophy classes. During these classes, the instructor recognized Viktor's intellect and allowed him to deliver a lecture on the meaning of life. While still in college, Frankl established his first private youth counseling program, encouraged by a friend who noticed his exceptional talent for identifying psychological issues and uncovering motivators. Simultaneously, he began working at the Psychiatric University Clinic. In 1930, Frankl earned his medical doctorate and went on to establish additional clinics and serve as head of various clinical departments.

During this period, the Nazi ideology was gaining ground in Germany, culminating in their invasion of Austria in 1938 during the infamous Kristallnacht. In that same year, Frankl received a visa for the United States but decided not to go due to his elderly parents. With the outbreak of World War II in September 1939 following the Nazi invasion of Poland, the situation deteriorated rapidly.

By 1941, the German Einsatzgruppe was tasked with executing Jews between the front lines, and the SS had already begun their initial gas chamber experiments in Auschwitz. In the midst of these events, Viktor Frankl, along with his entire family, was arrested and taken to the concentration camp known as Theresienstadt. Subsequently, Frankl was transported to various other concentration camps, eventually becoming completely separated from his family.

In 1945, he was liberated and made his way back to Vienna, only to discover that his entire family had been killed.

Experiences in a concentration camp

Viktor Frankl was thrust into a concentration camp with abruptness, and none of the prisoners had any knowledge of what awaited them within those barbed wire fences or how long their stay would last. This uncertainty cast a bleak shadow over their experiences, as there seemed to be no glimmer of hope on the horizon. Frankl categorized his experiences in the concentration camp into three stages.

Stage 1

This initial stage commenced shortly after their arrival at the camp. Upon arrival, they were sorted into two groups by an SS officer: one group consisted of those deemed fit for labor, while the other comprised the sick and elderly. Those placed in the latter group were unknowingly destined for the gas chamber. The constant looming threat of death created an unimaginable level of stress. Additionally, the brutal punishments meted out by the guards were excruciating to witness, compelling the prisoners to avert their eyes from the unbearable scenes. However, as days or weeks passed, a shift began to occur.

Stage 2

During this stage, the human mind started to react to the unrelenting stress and threat of death. The mind began to numb itself and entered a state of apathy. This apathy rendered the prisoners increasingly insensitive to the hourly beatings and the horrific sights around them. All their energy, effort, and emotions now coalesced around a singular objective: survival.

Stage 3

This stage was reached upon liberation from the prison, which brought a sudden release of pressure. Ironically, this newfound freedom was challenging for the inmates to cope with. The prolonged stress had eroded their ability to experience joy, and they had to slowly reacquaint themselves with it. Frankl described the moment of liberation as a form of depersonalization, where everything seemed unreal, unlikely, as if in a dream. Some prisoners, as Frankl observed, began to misuse their newfound freedom, behaving licentiously and ruthlessly.

Logotherapy

Frankl's personality, shaped by his profession and skills, was notably reflective and composed. These attributes enabled him to engage in scientific inquiry even in the direst circumstances of the concentration camp. This aspect of his character is evident in his statement: "Fundamentally, therefore, any man can, even under such circumstances, decide what shall become of him—mentally and spiritually. He may retain his human dignity even in a concentration camp."

He also expressed the profound idea: "If there is a meaning in life at all, then there must be a meaning in suffering." Given his harrowing experiences, his ability to articulate such thoughts is truly remarkable.

This reflective nature and the capacity to thrive in unusual situations led Frankl to develop Logotherapy.

The central goal of Logotherapy is to help individuals find meaning in their lives, as it is believed by many to be the primary motivating force. The scope of Logotherapy encompasses various topics, one of which addresses the common misconception that the ideal state for individuals is one of equilibrium or tensionlessness. Frankl discovered that such a state often gives rise to common problems, leading to what he termed "Sunday neurosis," where people descend into depression as they realize the lack of fulfillment in their lives after a busy week. This results in individuals oscillating between extremes of distress and boredom.

The absence of guidance on how to find meaning in life and its significance has contributed to high rates of depression among teenagers. Many young people struggle because they are not taught what they should do, lack traditions that provide direction, and often don't even know their own aspirations. Prolonged periods of aimlessness can be a ticket into depression.

Another key aspect emphasized by Frankl and Logotherapy is the importance of acknowledging one's responsibility for their own life. Logotherapy posits that this is the core of human existence.

In conclusion, I'd like to leave you with one of Frankl's statements that should never be forgotten: "Man has both potentialities within himself; which one is actualized depends on decisions but not on conditions."

Viktor Frankl is undoubtedly an intriguing figure with a wealth of valuable insights. His theories and knowledge should receive greater recognition. I highly recommend this book, and I hope to see you in my next blog. Thank you for your time.

With regards Devin Hasler