Logotherapy comes from the Greek word logos which means meaning . It focuses on the theory that man 5 primary motivational force is to find meaning. In Victor Frankl 5 book Man’s search for meaning he describes this theory. This theory and therapy developed from Frankl s experiences in a NaZI concentration camp, Frankl states that man s search for meaning is not a secondary rationalization of instinct, but a primary motivation. Logotherapy contrasts with many other schools of thought In psychotherapy. Freudian psychoanalysis which has been widely studied centers on one 5 will to pleasure, and Adlerian psychology centers on man 5 will to power. Some call logotherapy the Third school of Psychotherapy. Frankl describes three ways one can find meaning in their life. The first way is by creating or doing work. The accomplishment of such task or chore can help one to find meaning.
Secondly, finding meaning in life can be achieved through meeting someone or an experience. Finally, meaning can be found when one faces unavoidable suffering. The suffering must be unavoidable, for if it was avoidable one could simply remove the suffering. He gives an example concerning one of his clients, Instead on confronting a man who just lost his wife he asks him the question. What would have happened , if you had died first, and your wife would have had to sun/ive you? The man answered that her suffering would have been great. Frankl pointed out that. by her passing first, she had been spared that suffering. This gave the man s suffering meaning and allowed him to deal with it. In some Way. suffering ceases to be suffering at the moment it finds meaning, such as the meaning of a sacrifice. The strive for meaning can cause severe frustration, which Frankl calls neogenic neurosis or existential neurosis. People today that are lacking meaning are experiencing their lives as empty and meaningless. Existential frustration is in itself neither pathological nor pathogenic An American diplomat came to see Frankl for continued psychoanalysis.
His previous therapist, of five years, had told him that difficulties with his father had led him to be discontented with his job, Frankl stated simply that the man was vocationally unhappy and urged him to find a new profession. The man did and had become contented. He describes that A man s concern, even the worthwhileness of life is an existential distress but by no means a mental disease. If meaning is what we desire, then meaninglessness is a hole in our lives, this vacuum that is left is often filled with other things, Frankl describes that in the twentieth-century existential vacuums have become widespread. He argues that with the loss of many traditions & basic animal instincts, man does t know what to do or what he wishes to do. Man will seek out things to do since man doesn’t know What he wants to do. he often wants to do what others are doing. He would describe this as conformism. Totalitarianism is when man will do what other people want him to do. The existential vacuum manifest itself mainly in a state of boredom.
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People often go into a tailspin when they retire. All too often, we submerge ourselves every evening in passive entertainment. People often Will take on other Will to fill the hole in their lives, the Will of pleasure or of power. Frankl believes that the existential vacuum is often filled With neurotic vicious cycles, Anticipatory anxiety is the idea that one may be so afraid of getting anxiety that the symptoms are inevitable. An individual, for example, who is afraid of blushing when he enters a large room and faces many people Will actually be more prone to blush under these circumstances Likewise, Frankl explains that a forced intention makes impossible what one forcibly wishes, Basically, it is a matter of trying too hard. Frankl describes it as hypertension.
Hyperrreflection. a similar idea, is a matter of thinking too hard. Sometimes people expect something is going to happen, so it does. simply because its occurrence is strongly tied to one’s beliefs or attitudes. Frankl mentions a woman who had bad sexual experiences in childhood but nevertheless developed a strong and healthy personality. When she became familiar With psychological literature suggesting that such experiences should leave one With an inability to enjoy sexual relations, she began having such problems. Logotherapy has special techniques to handle such cases that cannot be cured by philosophical understanding. A logotherapy technique is that of deflection. He states that overemphasis on oneself can lead to many problems. An example is couples that are having sexual difficulties. He suggests that couples no longer be concerned with their own gratification and try only to satisfy their partners. The results are when their attention was focused on their partner their satisfaction became spontaneous and their sexual difficulties had become deflected. Another technique. paradoxical intention is a matter of wishing for the very thing you are afraid of.
A young man who sweated profusely whenever he was in social situations was told by Frankl to Wish to sweat. | only sweated a quart before, but now I m going to pour at least ten quarts! was among his instructions. The man followed his instructions and the sheer absurdity of it prevented the event from actually happening. This basic capability to detach one from oneself is actualized whenever the logotherapeutic technique called paradoxical intention is applied. Frankl also discusses the idea of tragic optimism which means is optimism in the face of an unavoidable tragedy. In the experience of life. Man will undoubtedly face pain. guilt. and death. Frankl explains how one can be optimistic in spite of these things through meaning. This optimism cannot be commanded or given to one. A man must find a reason to be happy not just pursue happiness. Once an individual’s search for meaning is successful, it not only renders him happy but gives him the capability to cope with suffering, Frankl describes a young boy who became paralyzed at the age of 17. In a letter he wrote to Frank]. he describes his life as full of meaning and purpose. He was taking college courses. spending his time watching television and writing. and he believes that without suffering he would not have been able to grow and help others.
Frankl speaks of supra meaning. it is the idea that there is. In fact, the ultimate meaning of life. meaning that is not dependent on others. on our protects. Or even our dignity. This idea shows Frankl 5 reference to God and spiritual meaning. One of the most propounding ideas found in this book is that of a man finding his meaning in the world and in nature. a not Within the closed system of oneself. Finding the meaning of life is a chore for oneself. Frankl explains that each man 5 meaning is different and changes frequently. My favorite quote is Everyone has a specific vocation or mission in life to carry out a concrete assignment witch demands fulfillment. Therein he cannot be replaced. nor can his life be repeated. I recently had a conversation with the mother of my nephew. who died unexpectedly at the age of 2. and she asked me what the meaning of his death had. I replied. I don t know, In the face of this tragedy. I wondered the same question. After reading this book and thinking about that question. I believe that she will need to find meaning in her life and not try to figure out the meaning of his own life. I overheard a woman at the funeral of my nephew say what a darling boy. won t the angels be thrilled? Tragic optimism at its finest.
