The Meaning of Life

What is the meaning of life? There is no simple answer to this question. Viktor

Frankl's theory is that man's deepest desire is to search for meaning, for purpose.

Choosing to ignore the daily suffering of his deprived existence, Frankl searched

to find meaning. He learned that by losing a friend or living through other circumstances

of tragedy, he gained strength meaning in his life. Frankl found that as his life had

changed and as there was more suffering to confront, he had the inner strength to deal

with it to the best of his ability. Psychologically, he chose to find meaning in suffering.

Frankl felt compelled to go on with his life, he explained, "if there is a meaning in life at

all, then there must be a meaning in suffering." (76).

Frankl learned to turn his thoughts to the future, this was another way of finding

meaning in his life. Seeing his current tragic situation as though it were part of the past

gave Frankl faith in his future. He knew very well the "inner life" of a prisoner, a place

in his mind where he could go to escape his present surroundings. This method of

imagining his future was very helpful and gave him reason to live. While struggling to

find more reasons to survive, Frankl decided to occupy his mind by using the scraps of

paper he had found to begin re-writing his manuscript that had been taken away from

him upon his arrival to the camp. Writing his notes encouraged Frankl to go on, to see

himself finally free and his manuscript completed. Writing gave Frankl a sense of