Viktor Frankl: Existentialism

Logotherapy: Conclusion

Every day we have many possibilities from which to choose within our area of freedom. We must choose the most responsible option; make the best choice, not only for ourselves, but also the people around us ­ then happiness and meaning fulfillment will ensue.

Frankl Believes..

"As physicians, educators, and therapist we should assist people in developing their indvidual conscience and finding and fulfilling their unique meanings."

Finding meaning in difficult times (Interview with Dr. Viktor Frankl)

Logotherapy: "Existence precedes essence"

Logotherapy: Techniques

Dereflection

Used when a person is overly self-absorbed on an issue or part of a goal. Redirecting attention away from the person helps to encourage that person to think of others.

Logotherapy: Other perspectives

Paradoxical intention

• Human source of motivation is an internal process
• The human consist of: Mind (psyche), Body(Soma), and Spirit (noetic core)
• Meaning can be found in collective values such as:
• Political parties
• Cultures
• Religions
• Traditions
• A life without meaning (emptiness) may cause aggression, addiction, depression, and suicide.
• Acknowledging our presence as a result of our choices made in the past, we can find meaningful choices to prepare for the future.

Existential Vacuum

The process of addressing "what do we fear the most". Humor and ridicule assist the situation by removing the fear and anxiety from the situation. (i.e A modest proposal)

A metaphor Frankl uses to describe a time in life where one experiences life as being mostly empty and meaningless.

Socratic Dialogue

This is said to be the cause for addicting behaviors, neurotic behaviors, and suicidal tendencies.

Noosdynamic

The technique helps logotherapist to use their own personal words as a method of self discovery. Patterns emerges to help the patient realize the answer lies within. The answer cannot be given; only discovered by the patient!

Is the internal struggle between who I am now and who I can become. This known to create tension which is deemed to be necessary to the human.

Noos refers to the mind and spirit

Conscience

• "Wisdom of the Heart"
• Is the core of our being and the source of our personal integrity.
• "Being human is being responsible-- existentially responsible, responsible for one's own existence."
• Conscience is intuitive and highly personalized.
• Conscience requires a real person in a real situation; it cannot be fixed, it must be lived.

REFERENCES

Logotherapy: http://www.goodtherapy.org/learn-about-therapy/types/logotherapy

Institute of Logotherapy: http://www.logotherapyinstitute.org/About_Logotherapy.html

Boeree: http://webspace.ship.edu/cgboer/frankl.html

Logotherapy: An Introduction

The Meaning Triangle

Creativity: provides and brings something to the world through individual expression: using our talents in various ways; such as the work we do, the gifts we give to life.

Experience: Learning from the world through nature, culture, relationships, interactions with others and with our surrounding environment

Changing our attitude: Even if we can't change a situation or circumstance, we can still change our attitude.

Logotherapy: An Introduction

How to find the meaning of life

• By creating work or accomplishing a task.
• By experiencing something fully or loving somebody.
• By the attitude that one adopts towards unavoidable suffering.

Logotherapy: An Introduction

The philosophy of Logotherapy

• Life has meaning under all circumstances.
• It is important to have and find meaning in life.
• People have the power and freedom to find meaning and change their attitude.

Logotherapy: An Introduction

Viktor Emil Frankl:

Existentialism

What is Logotherapy?

Logotherapy is the pursuit of finding meaning in life. Existential angst causes the individual to make sense of life's tragedies and circumstances.The search for meaning is the primary force to help mankind get through difficult times. Logotherapy helps to relieve individuals of their angst in three ways.

About Viktor E. Frankl

Frankl's Epiphany

The Holocaust

• Date of Birth: March 26, 1905
• Place of Birth: Vienna, Austria
• Born into a Jewish family
• Survived the Holocaust.
• Studied Medicine at the University of Vienna focusing on depression and suicide (1930)
• Recieved his Ph.D at the University of Vienna in philosophy (1948)
• Once nominated for the Nobel prize.
• Author of 32 books, Man's Search for Ultimate Meaning was the most popular amongst all.
• Influences: Fredrich Nietzsche, Sigmund Freud, and Alfred Adler

By finding personal meaning in the experience (The Holocaust), it gave him the will to live through it. This is the beginning of Logotherapy

• In September 1942, Viktor and his wife were arrested and sent to a concentration camp in Bohemia.
• Viktor's brother, mother, and father were also arrested and sent to the same camp.
• His father died of starvation
• His brother and mother were both killed at another camp.
• Viktor had his manuscript discovered and destroyed. He tried desperately to reconstruct it on stolen pieces of paper.
• The hopes of being reunited with his wife and family kept him from losing hope.
• He was transferred to a total of four camps.
• Suffered from Typhoid fever.