Viktor E. Frankl
Biography
Viktor Emil Frankl (1905-1997) was an Austrian neurologist, psychiatrist, Holocaust survivor, and the founder of logotherapy, a form of existential analysis. Born in Vienna, he developed his therapeutic approach, centered on the belief that the primary motivational force in humans is a search for meaning, even before his experiences in Nazi concentration camps. Frankl was imprisoned in Theresienstadt, Auschwitz, and Kaufering during World War II, losing his entire family, including his pregnant wife. His time in the camps profoundly influenced his work, providing stark evidence for his theories on meaning and resilience. After liberation, he wrote his seminal work, 'Man's Search for Meaning,' which chronicles his experiences and introduces logotherapy to a wider audience. He served as a professor of neurology and psychiatry at the University of Vienna Medical School and was a visiting professor at various universities in the United States. His work emphasized responsibility, purpose, and the human capacity to choose one's attitude in any given set of circumstances, even the most dire.
Selected Thoughts
«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, to choose one's own way.»
«When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves.»
«For success, like happiness, cannot be pursued; it must ensue, and it only does so as the unintended side-effect of one's personal dedication to a cause greater than oneself or as the by-product of one's surrender to a person other than oneself.»
Writing Style
Frankl's writing style is deeply personal, philosophical, and reflective, often blending autobiographical narrative with psychological theory. He uses direct, accessible language to convey complex existential concepts, employing anecdotes and real-life examples to illustrate his points. His tone is compassionate yet rigorous, emphasizing human responsibility and the potential for meaning even in suffering. He often employs a didactic approach, aiming to educate and inspire readers to find purpose in their own lives.