Viktor Frankl- Optimism is life's greatest weapon

• Born March 26, 1905

• Died September 2, 1997

• Cause of death: Congestive heart failure 

Viktor Frankl was an Austrian psychologist, neurologist and a Holocaust  survivor as well. He is the founder of Logotherapy

The word Logotherapy is  derived from “logos,” a Greek word that translates as “meaning,” and therapy, which is defined as treatment of an illness, condition or maladjustment. Logotherapy is the pursuit of that meaning for one’s life. The theory is founded on the belief that human nature is motivated by the search for a purpose in one's life.

Frank's theories was heavily  influenced by his experiences in the Nazi concentration camp, where he experienced loss and suffering. Logo therapy was developed in the context of extreme suffering and depression, so it is not surprising that Frankl created this theory.

In the pursuit of meaning, Frankl recommends three  courses of action in order to discover meaning:

1. The attitude we take to avoid suffering

2. Creating a work or doing deeds

3. The experience of value through art, love, beauty, etc.

Frankl believes that everything can be taken from a man but his freedom to choose the attitude  he takes in any circumstance. One example of suffering is dealing with the death of a loved one. This is highlighted between the encounter with Frankl and an elderly man:

"Once, an elderly general practitioner consulted me because of his severe depression. He could not overcome the loss of his wife who had died two years before and whom he had loved above all else. Now how could I help him? What should I tell him? I refrained from telling him anything, but instead confronted him with a question, 'What would have happened, Doctor, if you had died first, and your wife would have had to survive you?:' 'Oh,' he said, 'for her this would have been terrible; how she would have suffered!' Whereupon I replied, 'You see, Doctor, such a suffering has been spared her, and it is you who have spared her this suffering; but now, you have to pay for it by surviving and mourning her.' He' said no word but shook my hand and calmly left the office."

                                                                                                                             — Viktor Frankl

Frankl believed that even a man who has lost all meaning can find meaning in life.This brings to mind the three major personality disorders proposed by Fromm: Necrophilia, malignant narcism, and incestuous symbiosis. Necrophilia literally means "love of death," so it is questionable how those who love death can find meaning in life, when they are suffering from syndrome of decay. What about narcissist who only love themselves? It is difficult for anyone suffering from these three major personality disorders to find meaning in life.

These individuals are psychologically damaged and may fail to find meaning of life.

Frankl beleived that those suffering from depression is facing tension between who they are and who they should be instead, and that those suffering from anxiety do not understand that they are dealing with responsibilities that were not fulfilled, and they are lacking meaning in life.