Man's Search for Meaning Man's Search for Meaning discussion


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Man's Search For Meaning

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message 1: by Nick (new)

Nick I read the non-fictional book, Man’s Search for Meaning, by Viktor E. Frankl. Mr. Hills recommended i read this book, and i am very glad he did. This book is about Frankl and his experiences in the concentration camp during the Holocaust. Each day, he faced horrific and gruesome experiences, such as exhausting manual labor and watching people die. Despite these experiences, Frankl explains how he was able to use the will to live and find meaning in living in order to survive the awful conditions of the concentration camp. My favorite part about this book is watching howe Frankl observes his other inmates and takes note of each one. This was interesting to me because he really uses this to dive deeper into finding how he can help them find their will to live. This book was really interesting, and I would recommend it to anyone who wants learn more about what concentration camps were like, or anyone who needs inspiration in finding a meaning in their life.


message 2: by Rakesh (last edited Jun 19, 2019 03:45AM) (new) - rated it 5 stars

Rakesh Kumar this is psychological enquiry by Frankle. one of the best books I have ever read. I read it now and then to understand the tragedy of holocaust and its effect on mankind. it inspires me to value my life.
one more book 'Night' by Elie Wiesel on the same subject. He got the Nobel peace prize. He sees the philosophical aspect of the grief and sufferings in the camp . he asks one questions many times which Nietzsche asks 'Is God dead?' why does He not protect the sufferers?
If you have not read that book then give it a try.


message 3: by Amy (new) - rated it 5 stars

Amy Thanks


message 4: by Tg (new) - rated it 5 stars

Tg This book clarified the message of Admiral Stockdale's Thoughts of a Philosophical Fighter Pilot-Admiral Stockdale was shot down in Vietnam, and was the Senior Leader of 400+ POW's who were exposed to extreme cruelty and torture--He credits Stoic Philosophy for enabling him to Triumph over his fate.
The most important thing in that extreme environment was the Spirits of the Guy in the cell next door.
He survived 71/2 years of torture and imprisonment and 4 years of solitary confinement----Dr Frankle's book really clarified meaning , purpose and the line between Good and Evil


Dennis R I have read Man's Search for Meaning about 5 times and that's rare for me. The book is almost mandatory reading and the lessons essential for those in prison, as it gives hope when you are in one of those outposts of misery. Frankle's contribution to the psychology of incarceration and of the meaninglessness of life is unique. One of the points he makes is there is a junction were impulse and thought cross and your decision will determine how your life will evolve. Many criminals are there because of poor impulse control and unresolved pain stemming from having no meaning in their lives. I read Stockdale's Thoughts and I knew the Admiral, he found greater strength in the Stoics than he did with Frankle but he did, at least to me, praise Frankle's insights in helping him form his mental attitude toward prison.


message 6: by Tg (new) - rated it 5 stars

Tg Wow that is impressive you knew Admiral Stockdale


Dennis R Yes was a great man and a great leader and very very smart. His wife Sybl was a really nice person. I met them when he was at the Hoover institute and I heard him speak and he was the first one to bring to me the concept of situational morality which we see way to much of in the world today. Stockdale was also author or speaker of the one of the great lines in politics when he was Ross Perot's VP debate the other two were going at each other and Stockdale said "why am I here?" since neither side would shut up long enough for him to speak.


message 8: by Tg (new) - rated it 5 stars

Tg Thanks for your background information about him, it is ironic that a person with that much wisdom is mocked at a political debate


Dennis R It's a horrible thing to say but wisdom, learning and caring are no longer a part of political leadership. What passes for wisdom now is sound bites and if it gets lots of likes on Facebook or retweets on Twitter. Jim Stockdale was a man out of phase in that time and place, he was to intellectual which was and is a shame. If you can find it he gave a speech at King's College, London about his captivity and his philosophical outlook which is a good read and short.


message 10: by Tg (new) - rated it 5 stars

Tg Thanks I have read most of his books: "Thoughts of a Philosophical Fighter Pilot" "In Love and War"; and "A Vietnam Experience"
Admiral Stockdale mined antiquity, but he was light years ahead of the times


message 11: by Tg (new) - rated it 5 stars

Tg The Age of Heroism is not dead yet


Dennis R true true


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