Name of the Author: Viktor Frankl
Reading Time: 8-10 hours
About the Book:
The book is divided into three sections. The first, and the most elaborate sections describes Frankl’s experiences in the different concentration camps he is forced to live in. His experiences lead him to put forth a school of psychotherapy after his release. He describes this school of thought, Logotherapy, in the second section. The third and final section presents the postscript in which he talks about the practice of logotherapy.
The first section is undoubtedly the best written. It does not follow a chronological order. Instead it flows like a reflective account, describing experiences, events, thoughts and emotions of a prisoner in a concentration camp. The descriptions of the camps’ conditions are heart wrenching. At the same time, they renew your faith in man’s capabilities. The descriptions present two extremes of human nature and behaviour- the ability to torture, and the ability to endure torture. Frankl has made use of both these when talking about the psychology of prisoners and wardens.
Logotherapy as a school of thought seems weak, although the underlying conception of man’s ‘will to meaning’, is well described and logically sound. However, the practice of logotherapy and detail about the underlying assumptions about human nature, are areas that need greater detailing. They may have been described in other works of Frankl that I haven’t read as yet. Frankl’s constant comparison to psychoanalysis helps in understanding logotherapy better. At the same time, it highlights the supremacy of psychoanalysis as an established school of therapy as it appears that no new therapeutic school could hope to establish itself without a comparison with psychoanalysis.
The postscript continues with the description of the practice of logotherapy. More often than not, the cases described and the therapies provided seem to be examples of non-directive counselling based on logic. There did not seem to be the use of a new technique that was specifically based in logotherapy. However, the notion and practice of ‘paradoxical intention’ seemed relevant. I am as yet unsure if the term was in fact first introduced by Frankl himself.
Final Analysis: A must read; even if it is only the first section.
Favourite Quote: “Ultimately, man should not ask what the meaning of his life is, but rather must recognise that it is he who is asked. In a word, each man is questioned by life; and he can only answer to life by answering for his own life; to life he can only respond by being responsible.”
“…the truth – that Love is the ultimate and highest goal to which man can aspire. Then I grasped the meaning of the greatest secret that human poetry and human thought and belief have to impart: The salvation of man is through love and in love.”