../book-review-mans-search-for-meaning
Book summary: Man's Search for Meaning
Published:
Overview
What motivates people the most? Viktor Frankl's claim is that it's meaning in life. Throughout the book, he discusses his experience in a Holocaust camp and really tries to sell his idea of logotherapy (therapy via finding meaning in life; logos means meaning in ancient Greek).
Author believes meaning in life largely comes from answering to life, and fulfilling your tasks well. In particular, this entails reacting with a positive attitude to what life throws at you, being responsible to the people you love, responsible for your work, and responsible for your conduct.
The author has a view that meaning cannot be found within oneself in an isolated/Buddhist fashion. It's largely about how selflessly--nobly--one reacts to the outside world:
Self-actualization is not an attainable aim at all ... possible only as a side-effect of self-transcendence.
Why does the author believe what he believes?
Author was already doing research on logotherapy before he was forced into the Holocaust camp. He noticed while in the camp that people who gave up on life (i.e., didn't remember their responsibilities) tended to die quickly and sadly, whereas those who still believed in their life (i.e. that they have a responsibility to life) had more strength. He also provides post-camp examples of drug addicts and alcoholics who express not having meaning in life.
The author takes away from these experiences that those who see a meaning to their life are more satisfied/happier than those who don't realize a meaning in their life.
Is he right?
Having a meaning in life (that you choose) will likely lead to a satisfying life.
However, the author doesn't answer why "life" is important--why it is necessary to answer life's obligations every day.
Behavioral/Belief changes in myself
Honestly, unsure. I feel there is a gap in my mental model and vocabulary to be able to explore these ideas well.
If you believe that life is inherently pointless and without a goal, then you won't be able to believe that you need to answer to life and its obligations and responsibilities.
I also, like Frankl, believe in love (for a few people), acting properly towards others, and charity. However, this belief doesn't come from finding a meaning in life, but rather just from a basic care of others in the world.
I am not sure anything the author says is going to change any of my beliefs (and, as importantly, behaviors).
However, it seems like I need to read more philosophy books to close some unknown gaps in my mental model and improve my vocabulary.