Viktor Frankl
He who has a why to live can bear with almost any how. ~Nietzsche
Once again, I was compelled to re-read Viktor Frankl’s book, “Man’s Search For Meaning,” because I am wanting to begin another book which he also wrote, entitled “The Doctor And The Soul.” This book, “Man’s Search For Meaning”, is a good way to acquaint yourself with Dr. Frankl and the work he contributed to this world. I have the deepest respect and admiration for this man.
Dr. Frankl was a professor of Neurology and Psychiatry a the University of Vienna Medical School until his death in 1997. Because of the work he did, he had a chance to obtain a US Immigration Visa just before the United States entered World War II. After much turmoil in his mind and heart as to what he thought would be the right thing to do, he decided not to leave his old parents alone since everyone knew what was in store for the Jewish people during that time. This remarkable and unselfish decision itself, speaks volumes of what kind of human being this man was.
I have often thought that this man ended up experiencing for himself the “will for meaning” – the very thing to which he dedicated his entire adult life to. He endured three years in concentration camps, one of which was Auschwitz. His parents and his sister were killed. He survived.
Anyone who has experienced suffering should read this book. At some point in life, each of us will suffer, in some form or in some fashion. This book always gives me such a rich experience of believing in the potentiality that lies in all of us, irregardless of what our circumstances are at the moment. Finding meaning in all that life presents to us really and truly is a personal choice.
Viktor Frankl had a vision. His vision was to see the Statue of Liberty on the East Coast supplemented by a Statue of Responsibility on the West Coast. Please click to see this clip. The Catholic Pope, Benedict XVI, very recently left from a visit to the United States. His speeches were remarkable and very timely. One of the things he reminded us of is that “Freedom is not only a gift, but also a summons to personal responsibility.”
The life that we have been given, is a life worth living. I often ask the question, “What is life asking of me?” The answer will be different for each one of us.
Viola,
Thanks for lifting up this man and his work. I will have a look. I came to your blog to bolster myself for the rest of this challenging afternoon and found just what I needed!
Comment by SandyCarlson — April 30, 2008 @ 7:37 pm
Victor Frankl was so right. Freedom and a representative form of government require that its citizens be responsible. But what does that mean?
Let me take a stab at it. We cannot have responsible citizens unless we have educated citizens. So, one of our responsibilities is to be sure our educational system is, in fact, educating our future citizens.
But what of the adult, educated citizen?
Are we not responsible to keep track of what our government representatives are doing? To vote as wisely as possible? To make our voices heard by our represenatatives? To serve when called upon: on juries, in elected office, in the military, on school boards, and such other civic duties which we are called to perform?
It seems to me that we are also responsible for joining in the open debate of ideas, being alert to infringements on freedom of speech, calling attention to, and trying to make right, any injustices.
There is, in a free society, a social contract in effect. However, it is worthless if it isn’t entered into willingly by all parties. Those who have fallen by the wayside or had bad luck deserve the help and concern of their fellow citizens. They in turn have the responsibility to give their best efforts to recovering their independence.
And all this just scratches the surface. As they say, “Freedom isn’t really free.”
Comment by Jimmy J. — May 1, 2008 @ 4:42 am
Very well said, Jimmy! Yes, you are right, there is so much that can be said about this subject and it deserves much thought.
Btw: I am wanting to have a few guest bloggers or writers on my site. I’ve already asked Sandy Carlson since she wrote a marvelous piece on “Rejection and Acceptance” which I will be posting on my site very soon. You always have such good things to say and even though I know you don’t have your own blog, I was wondering if you would write something for my site. I was thinking of something like, “What makes life worth living for you?” or, “What has been the greatest lesson in life for you?” It can be any such theme and I would leave it up to you. It can be as long or short as you would like and I would post it here on my site. Let me know what you think Jimmy.
Comment by Viola Jaynes — May 1, 2008 @ 12:53 pm
Thank you for honoring this man here. I remember reading this book in College. I didn’t know about this project that they are working on until you pointed it out here. Thank you! I think it is a marvelous idea!
Comment by Liz — May 1, 2008 @ 1:33 pm
Liz, thank you for your kind comment. The Statue of Responsibility is due to be completed by July 4, 2010 from what I am reading. I really hope they can go through with this since I also think it is such an important message.
Thank you for visiting here!
Comment by Viola Jaynes — May 1, 2008 @ 1:44 pm
Viola, thanks for commenting on my post about apologizing for Bush.
Comment by maryt/theteach — May 3, 2008 @ 10:55 pm
Viktor Frankl changed my life. when I first read his book it was like I found out the real meaning of my existence, and how to change it in a better way.
He was so right about finding a meaning, because the future is hopeless without a purpose.
Comment by Genta — September 9, 2009 @ 10:29 am