Victor Frankl, Man's Search for Meaning

Viktor Frankl, founder of Logotherapy, believed that the primary human drive is not pleasure or power, but the pursuit of meaning. Based on his experiences as a Holocaust survivor, Frankl asserted that even in the most horrific circumstances, individuals can find purpose. Logotherapy posits that suffering becomes bearable when it has meaning, and people are free to choose their attitude in any given situation. Frankl emphasized responsibility, self-transcendence, and spiritual freedom as essential to mental well-being. His work bridges psychology and existential philosophy, offering a hopeful perspective that meaning can be found in work, love, and even unavoidable suffering.