Native American Heritage Month
Eugene Dagon asked this question about Man's Search for Meaning:
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?
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 reali…moreNo. 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.(less)
flag
More questions about Man's Search for Meaning…
Image for Man's Search for Meaning
Man's Search for Meaning
by Viktor E. Frankl
Rate this book
Clear rating
1 of 5 stars2 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars

About Goodreads Q&A

Ask and answer questions about books!

You can pose questions to the Goodreads community with Reader Q&A, or ask your favorite author a question with Ask the Author.

See Featured Authors Answering Questions

Learn more