Logotherapy was developed by Viktor Frankl, M.D., Ph.D., an Austrian neurologist, psychiatrist, and a Holocaust survivor. Viktor Frankl (1905-1997) was not only a man of science; he was also a philosopher. Therefore, his theories on what drives man were considerably different from his colleagues, Adler, and Freud. Frankl's theory was that a will for meaning is man's primary motivational force, not pleasure or power.
On the basis of Sigmund Freud's Psychoanalysis and Alfred Adler's Individual Psychology; Frankl laid the foundation of a new and original approach to psychotherapy, Logotherapy, which he first published in 1938. Logotherapy has since been referred to as the "Third Viennese School of Psychotherapy."
There are three dimensions in which man exist according to Logotherapy, and they are the; Somatic (body), Mental (psyche), and Spiritual (noetic core.) Frankl asserted that even though the mind and body could become ill, the noetic core remains healthy. Unfortunately, access to the noetic core may become blocked.
Frankl believed that it is our noetic core that makes us human. In other words he believed that; we are Spiritual beings that are having a human experience, rather than Human Beings having a Spiritual experience. Frankl stated that some of the most notable attributes of the noetic core are; responsibility, authenticity, creativity, choice, values, self-transcendence, love, a will to meaning, conscience, ideals, and ideas.
Frankl stated that our conscience empowered us to seize the meaning of the situation in its very uniqueness. Our conscience is like the compass needle that points us in the direction of the meaning of the moment. The voice of our conscience can become feeble and easily drowned out. Although the voice of our conscience may become faint we never completely loses the ability to hear it. As a result, we can always decide to follow it.
There are three assumptions that form a chain of interconnected links in Logotherapy. They are; freedom of will, the will to meaning, and the meaning of life.
- Freedom of will: refers to the assumption that all humans have the freedom of choice. However, because humans are finite beings, our ability to choose can be restricted by circumstances. Frankl made the assertion that; humans are not always in control of their circumstances, but they are always in control of their attitude and response to those circumstances.
- Will to mMeaning the will to meaning is man's primary motivation for behavior and choices in life. This meaning is unique and specific in that it can/must only be fulfilled by him alone. The fact that individuals have an innate desire to find meaning verifies the existence of meaning in human life. Frankl emphasized that the true meaning of each person's life was something that must be discovered by activity in the world through interaction with others. Will to Meaning is the primary motivational force that draws a person forward.
- Meaning of life is contained within the concrete experiences of daily life. Also, each person has a special purpose to fulfill in life. To lead a full life, a person needs tasks waiting for him or her, both short-term and long-term tasks. They need to be self-chosen, not forced on him or her.The meaning of life differs from person to person, day to day, and even hour to hour. Therefore, what matters is not the meaning of life in general but rather the specific meaning of a person's life at a given moment. The meaning of life is always changing, but it never ceases to exist. Life has meaning under all circumstances.
Experiencing adversity and pain at times is an unavoidable part of life. However, tools like Logotherapy allow people to learn from their experiences and move forward to discover the opportunity in adversity. Logotherapy helps people prevent feeling trapped by their circumstances that cause prolonged, unnecessary suffering that can lead to despair.
Frankl defines despair using the mathematical equation D=S-M. This equation is meant to represent that despair is suffering without meaning. Once you have assigned meaning to your suffering, current challenges, or circumstances you will be able to turn your tragedies into triumphs. Meaning allows people to discover the opportunity in adversity. Thus allowing people to utilizeevery experience as an opportunity for growth and development.
According to Logotherapy, people are compelled to utilize their freedom and responsibility, to set free the best possible version of themselves. This helps people discover and understand the meaning of the moment in every situation. Logotherapy does not declare or offer some general meaning of life. Instead, people are aided in achieving the openness and flexibility that will enable them to shape their day-to-day lives in a meaningful manner.
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