Book Review: Man’s Search for Meaning

Viktor Frankl

LOREM CORPORATE CEO

Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.

No man and no destiny can be compared with any other man or any other destiny. No situation repeats itself, and each situation calls for a different response.

Based on my personal experience, conversations with fellow friends and colleagues and my interest in History it’s obvious that men always reach a phase in their lives, our middle years or mid-life, where we find ourselves grappling with a unique set of challenges. Our careers plateau, we struggle in our relationships or they change, and the existential questions that hummed faintly in our youth now demand our attention.

I read somewhere a strong recommendation to check out Viktor Frankl’s “Man’s Search for Meaning” to help out with this introspective stage. I looked into it and I found that his work emerges as a beacon of profound wisdom, offering a powerful message about finding meaning even in the darkest of times. I had to check it out and so I just did.

This book was given to me as a Christmas gift by my beautiful daughter which makes it even more special. As you can tell already, I found it an impactful read…

Frankl (1905-1997) wass a renowned psychiatrist and in Man’s Search for Meaning he narrates his harrowing first account experiences as a prisoner in Nazi concentration camps. He spares us the specific details of the runnings of the many concentration camps he was sent to, after all the horror is well documented in other works. What he focused on bringing to us is how by witnessing and experiencing unimaginable suffering and loss, he was forced to confront the fundamental question of human existence: what makes life worth living, even in the face of utter despair?

I can’t imagine how could you not ask yourself that question in such a horrible experience. His answer lies in the concept of what he calls logotherapy, a form of existential analysis he developed that emphasizes the human search for meaning as the primary motivator for living. Frankl argues that it is not external circumstances, but our attitude towards them, that determines our well-being.

He drew from his knowledge of Nietzsche for many of his contemplations and you know how much I admire Stoic philosophy so that definitely struck directly to me. Instead of paraphrasing the book or summarizing it chapter by chapter, I will instead bring you here three key takeaways from Frankl’s work, particularly relevant to us men in their middle age but applicable to all humans regardless of age, gender, status, etc. If you’re a breathing human, you can benefit from this work. Read it and contemplate it:

1. Meaning Beyond Circumstances:

Midlife often brings an unsettling awareness of life’s impermanence. Careers we poured years into might feel unfulfilling, relationships may face new complexities, and the fear of the unknown can loom large. Frankl reminds us that meaning is not something passively received, but rather something actively pursued. It lies not in the attainment of pleasure, power, or possessions, but in the act of finding purpose in our actions, relationships, and contributions to the world.

This doesn’t mean ignoring the hardships we face. Frankl acknowledges the immense suffering he endured, yet emphasizes that even in the most dire circumstances, the human spirit has the capacity to find meaning. He describes finding solace in small acts of kindness towards fellow prisoners, in the pursuit of intellectual stimulation through philosophical discussions, and in the simple act of maintaining hope for a better future.

This doesn’t imply a Pollyannaish1 outlook, but rather a deep understanding that even in the face of adversity, we have the power to choose our response. We can choose to be consumed by despair, or we can choose to find meaning in the present moment, in our connections, and in the potential for positive impact, however small.

2. Responsibility and Choice:

As men navigating midlife, we often feel the weight of responsibility – towards families, careers, and societal expectations. Frankl’s work reminds us that within this responsibility lies a fundamental freedom: the freedom to choose our response to our circumstances.

He argues that even when stripped of everything – possessions, freedom, even loved ones – we retain the ultimate power to choose our attitude. We can choose to be defined by our suffering or choose to rise above it, to find meaning in the act of living itself. This doesn’t negate the pain we experience, but it empowers us to navigate it with a sense of purpose and dignity.

3. The Power of Purpose:

Midlife often brings a yearning for a renewed sense of purpose. We may question the path we’ve taken, the goals we’ve pursued, and especially the impact we’ve made (often fixating on pain that we have caused to loved ones). Frankl’s message is clear: finding meaning is not about achieving grand external goals, but about aligning our actions with something larger than ourselves.

It could be contributing to our families, pursuing a long-held passion, or simply striving to be a force for good in the world. This sense of purpose doesn’t need to be grand or earth-shattering; it simply needs to resonate with our core values and provide a sense of direction in our lives.

Was mich nicht umbringt, macht mich starker.” (That which does not ill me, makes me stronger.)

“Man’s Search for Meaning” is not a comfortable or easy read. It confronts us with the darkest aspects of human nature, yet ultimately offers a message of hope and resilience. For men in their middle age, grappling with the complexities of this stage, Frankl’s words provide a powerful framework for navigating the challenges and finding meaning in the second half of life. It is a reminder that even in the midst of chaos, the human spirit has the remarkable capacity to find purpose, choose its response, and emerge stronger.

If you read it please take a moment to let me know what resonated to you the most from this book. Did you identify yourself with any of the different people in this account? For me, his speech to his fellow prisoners brought tears to my eyes, transported me to that cell, and made my heart ache.  

May you take something from this beautiful work.

Don’t try, just do. Fully

Cesarifico