Eugene Dagon
asked:
Do you think or feel this book still offers a solution to the void in people's life in the 21st century as it did in the previous century?
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Man's Search for Meaning,
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Ed
Your assumption that people have voids in their lives is exactly what Frankl's book can help with. Find meaning in what you do and always have something left to accomplish are just two of the ideas that speak across the years. I'm 77 and every time I re-read the book, I find new relevant meaning.
Alexx
Even more so. The conditions that gave rise to nihilism and boredom, in his time, have only increased dramatically in our day and age. Technology is rendering human beings more and more useless. It becomes more difficult to find our meaning in life, we feel like clogs in a digital mass machine, and we see time ticking by fast as we age and become more useless. Therefor to me, this book is an antidote to depression and a stepping stone to a more active and fulfilling life. I'm so happy to have read this book
αleх
It's not a matter of the century we live in, it's a matter of people being willing to let themselves be changed or have the ability to embrace ideas.
Rachel Drummond
I think instead of offering a solution as such, it offers tools to aid the reader in filling the void in peoples life. I think that this is one of those books that will never lose relevance. There will always be something new you can take from it.
Ravi Chander
This book makes you realize that the void you feel in your life is your own thinking. Once you become aware that Life has a meaning for you, the void vanishes.
Whether you accept or not, your living has a purpose. Just be.
Whether you accept or not, your living has a purpose. Just be.
Sherry Umlah
I'm only halfway through this book, but so far I'd wholeheartedly say yes. 2020 has been a challenging year for us all. It's not directly comparable to surviving in a concentration camp, but we're living in a divisive society filled with sexism/racism/ageism/homophobia during a pandemic/inequality/poverty/large scale conflict/mental health crises and life's calling on us to find our meaning during ambiguous, uncertain times.
Frankl wrote: "Fundamentally... any man can, even under such circumstances, decide what shall become of him - mentally and spiritually."
I lost my father this year while experiencing the death of two pets, layoffs at two separate companies in a 365 day timespan, COVID and more. Several of my friends and work colleagues have suffered and endured through all of this similar loss, ambiguity, and uncertainty.
Frankl wrote: "A man who could not see the end of his "provisional existence" was not able to aim at an ultimate goal in life."
I feel like many of us, regardless of whether we experienced a loss in the form of death this year, have experienced a loss of the 'norm.' Our former being/lifestyle/normalcy has ceased to exist. At the corporate level, this has translated into fear and potential reduction in staff. At a personal level, it's called us to question the purpose of our existence.
Yes, a wholeheartedly yes, this book has helped me to understand the feelings I'm having today.
Frankl wrote: "Fundamentally... any man can, even under such circumstances, decide what shall become of him - mentally and spiritually."
I lost my father this year while experiencing the death of two pets, layoffs at two separate companies in a 365 day timespan, COVID and more. Several of my friends and work colleagues have suffered and endured through all of this similar loss, ambiguity, and uncertainty.
Frankl wrote: "A man who could not see the end of his "provisional existence" was not able to aim at an ultimate goal in life."
I feel like many of us, regardless of whether we experienced a loss in the form of death this year, have experienced a loss of the 'norm.' Our former being/lifestyle/normalcy has ceased to exist. At the corporate level, this has translated into fear and potential reduction in staff. At a personal level, it's called us to question the purpose of our existence.
Yes, a wholeheartedly yes, this book has helped me to understand the feelings I'm having today.
Anirudh Maru
This book is just as relevant to us today as it was in the previous century. Times must have changed but the psychology of the human mind has not. This book gives a deeper understanding into the psychology of the mind in times of struggle, and provides a guide to how we can develop the mental strength to overcome such situations.
Jeanne
You receive from this book what you need. Having two men in my life commit suicide, a grandfather and a brother, i have turned to numerous books to help me understand both of them better. Rollo May, Rowan Williams and Thomas Moore are a few other authors that may be of help. I have read books of myth, Carl Jung, Irvin Yalom and Patrick McGrath. Ultimately I think the answers are not within reach and far less productive as active helping.
Catherine
It is a timeless book. If anything we need it more now than ever before.
I recommended it to someone dear to me who is currently dying of cancer. This book is a consolation no matter what stage you are in.
I recommended it to someone dear to me who is currently dying of cancer. This book is a consolation no matter what stage you are in.
Alita Clark
This book is not bound by time. The hope it presents can only truly live in those willing to understand and embrace. If everyone read this book and allowed themselves the opportunity to live in hope, the world would be a much more different place indeed.
And so, it certainly offers us hope in this century. It will continue to do so for centuries to come as long as people are willing to read it, understand it, and be changed by it.
And so, it certainly offers us hope in this century. It will continue to do so for centuries to come as long as people are willing to read it, understand it, and be changed by it.
D.G. Kaye
I think this book is just as important today, especially in a world where much of mankind has lost their way.
Abraham Lewik
No. The 1st chapter is historical reporting, rewarding to the dark (literary) tourist within many of us. The 2nd chapter sees the explication of reality, that is it meaningless without a mind and how this fundamental aspect may manifest problems in life. The 3rd chapter continues in the vein of the 2nd and puts in a bit more of the authors personality after the work was finished.
No, it does not truly offer a 'solution to the void', nor is the message the same as it was. For example, he writes of meaning in unavoidable suffering as distinct from meaning in avoidable suffering. He tars the later with the brush of masochism, which I believe held more powerful and repugnant connotations. Does our contemporay society find masochism as repugnant as it once did? I say no.
The author describes meaning as something made by people, so our responsibility as people is to make a meaning worthy of our time. Mr. Frankl does not strive to use his own charisma to push his value system onto the reader, as theological works tend to do. As in how Abrahammic religions 'solve the void' by commanding the faithful to re-express the message of the particular messiah; Moses, Jesus, Mohammad, Bahá'u'lláh. The latter two chapters are what happens when someone looks to closely at the above loosely-described domain, which someone is always doing.
No, it does not truly offer a 'solution to the void', nor is the message the same as it was. For example, he writes of meaning in unavoidable suffering as distinct from meaning in avoidable suffering. He tars the later with the brush of masochism, which I believe held more powerful and repugnant connotations. Does our contemporay society find masochism as repugnant as it once did? I say no.
The author describes meaning as something made by people, so our responsibility as people is to make a meaning worthy of our time. Mr. Frankl does not strive to use his own charisma to push his value system onto the reader, as theological works tend to do. As in how Abrahammic religions 'solve the void' by commanding the faithful to re-express the message of the particular messiah; Moses, Jesus, Mohammad, Bahá'u'lláh. The latter two chapters are what happens when someone looks to closely at the above loosely-described domain, which someone is always doing.
James
Absolutely. The experience he had gives him the moral credit to speak on the issue, but his means of finding meaning is the true gem
Jana Vukomanovic
After reading this now in 2020, I can answer - absolutely yes.
Forked Radish
If you live in a log cabin and there's a drafty void that you can cram this book into it'll be the solution to the void in your life.
Romzanul Islam
I deeply believe it still has relevance in dealing with problems life meaninglessness of life and neuroses.
Naveen Kalaga
This answer contains spoilers…
(view spoiler)
christopher birnbaum
i'm with you on this question. i'm not sure!
Tony Perry
I think that one message (among many) is that if one continues to ask the wrong questions then you will always get the wrong answers. One example of a wrong question is: "Why Me?"
Alifeforreading
Mọi nỗi đau đều có ý nghĩa của nó, đó là điều hay nhất mà mình đã học được trong cuốn sách. Câu truyện về những tù nhân trong nhà giam quốc xã Đức và những gì tác giả Frankl trải qua đã làm rõ được luận điểm rằng suy nghĩ của con người là thứ quyết định cuộc sống của họ. Cuốn sách đã nói lên một chân lí rất tuyệt vời là: cho dù trong hoàn cảnh tồi tệ nhất( như cực hình trong nhà giam chẳng hạn ), tuy rằng thể xác họ bị kìm hãm và bị tước đoạt, nhưng thứ duy nhất mà không ai có thể lấy được của con người đó chính là ý chí tự do của họ.Hoàn cảnh không quyết định số phận con người mà chính cách phản ứng của họ mới tạo nên số phận.Tác giả đề cập đến liệu pháp ý nghĩa, đã giúp rất nhiều người trầm cảm trở lại cuộc sống. Đọc cuốn sách là một trải nghiệm tuyệt vời
Anne-Christine
Yes. This book is remarkable and gives so much insight and advice on how to make our life better and more valuable. It is still so relevant in this world which sometimes can be seen as sombre and chaotic. I also like Logotherapy which he developed.
Chase Smith
I contend that it is just as relevant today as it was then. The theme here is 'life is yours to create', a Robert Solomon quote and a takeaway from existentialist philosophy. Frankl argues at the heart of existentialism by saying we need to be responsible for our existence, no matter the circumstances, to persevere and find meaning in whatever lies before us.
He addresses this in his book under the topic of nihilism, which would be the ultimate antithesis to the will to meaning. Nietzsche's philosophy is dangerous and unfortunately a predominant go-to for newcomer's to the field of philosophy. I have struggled with existential anxiety for over twenty years, and I have had to continually restate my purpose, however trivial or grand among the giants of the cosmos.
The fact is and still remains that as we advance technologically, we will reengineer the human body and mind to accommodate a burgeoning future. Finding purpose in that distant and hopefully non-dystopian future is the key.
He addresses this in his book under the topic of nihilism, which would be the ultimate antithesis to the will to meaning. Nietzsche's philosophy is dangerous and unfortunately a predominant go-to for newcomer's to the field of philosophy. I have struggled with existential anxiety for over twenty years, and I have had to continually restate my purpose, however trivial or grand among the giants of the cosmos.
The fact is and still remains that as we advance technologically, we will reengineer the human body and mind to accommodate a burgeoning future. Finding purpose in that distant and hopefully non-dystopian future is the key.
Ali Khaheshi
For sure. From my point of view, the void in the people's life could always be filled with just one thing which is HOPE. Your hope for a better day in the future. Your hope could be related to your love, job or anything else.
The book explains the significance of hope in human's life very well. Regarding the terrifying experiences in the Nazi death camps, the author demonstrates that you could find a meaning even in your sufferings to move forward.
The book explains the significance of hope in human's life very well. Regarding the terrifying experiences in the Nazi death camps, the author demonstrates that you could find a meaning even in your sufferings to move forward.
A.D. Crystal
Definitely. I love this book and I have read it, or heard it - as audio-book - several times.
We are given a LIFE to live, right? Would it be wise to 'call quit' before we have the 'Aha!' HOW ELSE WOULD WE BE GIVEN A CHANCE BY LIFE TO BECOME 'OLYMPIC CHAMPIONS', IF WE WEREN'T TRAINED BY HER IN 'IMPOSSIBLE TO CROSS' HARDSHIPS?
Even when alone, naked, hungry, cold, HOPELESS in a smelly damp concentration camp cell, you do HAVE a LIFE PURPOSE. Look for it until you find it. If nothing else, YOU HAVE TO LIVE TO BECOME THE SOLE EXAMPLE OF 'THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS IMPOSSIBLE'. You have to live, for the coming generations to have a life-saving oxygen mask, 'Man's search For Meaning'. I am truly thankful to the person who recommended this book to me! This is one of the reason why I wrote 'The Girl You Would regret Not Knowing' https://www.amazon.com/dp/1973121093
We are given a LIFE to live, right? Would it be wise to 'call quit' before we have the 'Aha!' HOW ELSE WOULD WE BE GIVEN A CHANCE BY LIFE TO BECOME 'OLYMPIC CHAMPIONS', IF WE WEREN'T TRAINED BY HER IN 'IMPOSSIBLE TO CROSS' HARDSHIPS?
Even when alone, naked, hungry, cold, HOPELESS in a smelly damp concentration camp cell, you do HAVE a LIFE PURPOSE. Look for it until you find it. If nothing else, YOU HAVE TO LIVE TO BECOME THE SOLE EXAMPLE OF 'THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS IMPOSSIBLE'. You have to live, for the coming generations to have a life-saving oxygen mask, 'Man's search For Meaning'. I am truly thankful to the person who recommended this book to me! This is one of the reason why I wrote 'The Girl You Would regret Not Knowing' https://www.amazon.com/dp/1973121093
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