Man's Search for Meaning

Man's Search for Meaning

Rating

8.5

The Pequod Review:

Viktor Frankl's seminal book about his experiences at Auschwitz has a simple but deeply profound message: the quality of our inner (psychological) life is what determines the quality of our outer life.

This uniqueness and singleness which distinguishes each individual and gives a meaning to his existence has a bearing on creative work as much as it does on human love. When the impossibility of replacing a person is realized, it allows the responsibility which a man has for his existence and its continuance to appear in all its magnitude. A man who becomes conscious of the responsibility he bears toward a human being who affectionately waits for him, or to an unfinished work, will never be able to throw away his life. He knows the "why" for his existence, and will be able to bear almost any "how."

Even in the most despairing and difficult of circumstances, we are able to find meaning and hope — and this can help us survive.