Viktor E. Frankl, the Viennese psychiatrist and founder of logotherapy, once summarized a common issue: people usually have sufficient means to survive, but often lack a sense of purpose in their lives. This observation, which remains relevant today, was informed by Frankl’s experiences in concentration camps, where he sought to find meaning in his suffering, as described in his book “Man’s Search for Meaning.“

According to Frankl, when we find ourselves unable to change our circumstances, we must adapt by changing ourselves.

What is Logotherapy

Logotherapy, coined by Viktor Frankl, is a healing approach based on the Greek word “Logos” meaning “meaning”. It examines the physical, psychological, and spiritual aspects of humanity and aims to help individuals discover meaning in their lives.

Unlike psychoanalysis, which focuses on satisfying drives and instincts, logotherapy offers a deeper connection to the soul. The search for meaning is the primary motivation in a person’s life.

The Three Tenets Of Logotherapy

Logotherapy is based on three tenets: the freedom of will, the will to meaning, and the meaning of life. Together, these concepts suggest that we have the freedom to search for, find, and realize the meaning of our lives.

Freedom of will

Human beings always have the freedom to choose.

We are not puppets being controlled by internal or external forces. We have the power to direct and shape our lives, and we solely are responsible for our choices. 

Freedom of will opposes the notion of fate. Even in the most difficult situations, we can choose to find meaning and fulfillment. 

Will to meaning

The pursuit of meaning motivates humans, and when we are unable to find it, we can experience “existential frustration” and a sense of meaninglessness.

The search for connection is a fundamental aspect of our lives, and we find meaning when different parts of our experience fit together in a harmonious and purposeful way.

When we encounter situations or experiences that feel meaningless, it can disrupt our sense of connection to others and to the world around us. This can leave us feeling lost, confused, and uncertain. 

On the other hand, when we have something or someone to live for, and we feel that we are making a meaningful contribution to the world, we experience a sense of fulfillment and self-worth. 

We are part of the bigger picture!

Meaning in life 

The pursuit of meaning in life would be pointless if there was no actual meaning to be found. Only if life is truly meaningful in itself, can we become fully engaged with it, appreciate it, and find joy in it. This is the third fundamental principle: life itself must hold inherent meaning, beyond our subjective experiences of it. 

Life presents us with constant challenges that require our attention and response. Our focus should not be on what we expect to receive from life, but rather on what we can give back to it. It is our responsibility to contribute to the world around us, rather than just seeking personal gain.

Viktor Frankl said that we need to deeply appreciate our own inherent worth in order to strive for a life of purpose. If individuals are unable to embrace a sense of meaning in their lives, they may experience an “existential vacuum“ – a feeling of emptiness or lack of purpose. 

Each moment has a different significance for each person. While the situation itself may remain constant, each person interprets it differently based on their unique perceptions, needs, feelings, and understanding. Even seemingly mundane moments can hold great potential for meaningful experiences if we are able to recognize and embrace them. Sometimes, these opportunities may not be immediately apparent, but they exist if we are open to seeing them.

Related: Guiding Principles of Logotherapy

How Can Man Find Meaning

Meaning can be found through:

• “Our Creations”: creating a work or doing a deed – This is what we put out in the world.
• “Our Experiences”: love,  goodness, beauty, nature, culture – This is what we take  from  the world
• “Our Attitudes” – This is how we view the world 

As humans, we are exposed to what Frankl referred to as the tragic triad of life, consisting of guilt, suffering, and death, which cannot be avoided. However, even in such circumstances, meaning can still be found by adopting a particular attitude toward the situation.

Logotherapy Techniques

The three main techniques of logotherapy used by physicians and therapists are:

Dereflection

Dereflection is used when an individual is excessively focused on a particular issue or the achievement of a goal.

It aims at redirecting the attention or dereflecting the attention away from the problems towards something positive. 

In practical terms, it involves asking questions like “How would your life be different if you didn’t have the issue of X?”; “If your life were ideal in every way, what would that entail?” and “Are there any aspects of your life that you would be willing to sacrifice everything for?”

Paradoxical intention

Paradoxical intention is a technique that involves intentionally seeking the very thing we fear the most. Individuals who suffer from anxiety or phobias can be paralyzed by their fears. By utilizing humor and ridicule, they can desire the feared outcome, thereby eliminating the fear from their intention and reducing the associated anxiety symptoms.

For instance, if someone has a fear of rejection, they would deliberately expose themselves to situations where they are likely to face rejection or hear the word “no.”

Socratic dialogue

In logotherapy, the Socratic dialogue technique guides an individual through a self-discovery process using their own words.

Through active listening, therapists can identify specific patterns of words or word choices used by their clients, and then guide them toward new insights and meanings. This process helps individuals recognize that the answers they seek are already within themselves, waiting to be discovered. 

Logotherapy Criticisms

Rollo May, the founder of the existential movement in the United States, offered one of the main criticisms of logotherapy. He contended that logotherapy was authoritarian in its implication that there are straightforward solutions to all problems. He saith that Viktor Frankl provided individuals who used this therapy with a sense of meaning if they couldn’t discover their own. Despite May’s critique, Frankl disputed the notion that logotherapy relieves individuals of responsibility, noting that the therapy actually educates them about their personal responsibility.

References

1. Frankl, V. E., Lasch, I., Kushner, H. S., & Wnislade, W. J. (2015). Man’s search for meaning. Boston, MA: Beacon Press.
2. Guttmann, D. (2008). Finding meaning in life, at midlife and beyond: Wisdom and spirit from Logotherapy. Westport, CT: Praeger.
3. SHANTALL, T. (2021). Life-changing impact of Viktor Frankl’s logotherapy. S.l.: SPRINGER NATURE.
4. What is logotherapy? – the viktor E. frankl Institute of America viktor frankl Institute of America. (2020, February 29). Retrieved March 18, 2023, from https://viktorfranklamerica.com/what-is-logotherapy/
5. Team, G. (2015, February 07). Logotherapy. Retrieved March 18, 2023, from https://www.goodtherapy.org/learn-about-therapy/types/logotherapy