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INTRODUCTION
TO VIKTOR FRANKL'S LOGOTHERAPY by
Irmeli Sjølie
VIKTOR E. , MD, PhD (1905-1997), a professor of both
psychiatry and philosophy at the University of Vienna, Austria,
Dr. Frankl was the founder of logotherapy. His logotherapy
looks at our lives in a different way than most other psychotherapeutic
theories. It looks to the healthy spiritual core of man for
resources of healing, instead of analyzing pathology ad infinitum.
Definition of the term logotherapy:
therapy through finding meaning (logos= meaning).
[The Greek term logos will be familiar to students of
theology. It is usually translated as the "Word" or "Will" of
God in religious circles. In a broader sense, it can be viewed
as "that which gives reason for being." Frankl prefers
the simple translation of logos as "meaning."]
Basic assumptions of logotherapy:
1. Life has meaning under all circumstances.
2. People have a will to meaning.
3. People have freedom under all circumstances to activate the
will to meaning and to find meaning.
Dimensional ontology image of man
The human being is an entity consisting of:
1. Body (soma)
2. Mind (psyche)
3. Spirit (noetic core)
This is an image of man, where the scientific and the philosophic
views are combined. Frankl was a clinician as well as
a philosopher! Although we can experience sickness in the body
and the psyche, the human spirit, our noetic core, remains healthy;
however, access to that healthy core can be blocked.
Attributes of the noetic dimension:
1. Responsibility (not from, but responsibility to)
2. Authenticity and creativity
3. Choices
4. Values
5. Self-transcendence
6. Will to meaning
7. Love
8. Conscience 9. Ideals and ideas, etc....
How can we find meaning in life?
Frankl points to three ways the "meaning triangle:"
1. Creativity (giving something to the world through self-expression:
using our talents in various ways; i.e., the work we do, the
gifts we give to life).
2. Experiencing (receiving from the world: through nature, culture,
relationships, interactions with others and with our environment).
3. Change of attitude (even if we can't change a situation or
circumstance, we can still choose our attitude toward a condition;
this is often a self-transcending way of finding meaning, especially
in unavoidable suffering).
The two levels of meaning in life
Viktor Frankl talks of two different meanings:
1. Ultimate meaning: A meaning we can never reach but just glimpse
at the horizon... It can be God, but also science as the search
for truth, nature, and evolution for those who do not believe
in God.
2. Meaning of the moment: We have all the time to answer the
questions life asks us and, therefore, it is important to understand
the meaning of each moment by fulfilling the demands life places
on us.
The demand quality of life
Logotherapy teaches that it is not we who can ask life, "WHY,
WHY, WHY...?" Rather, it is Life, who is the questioner. We
have to respond to Life's questions! We answer to Life by listening
for discernment of the meaning of the moment; then, by making
responsible decisions within our available area of freedom.
Our choices will be based on our values and guidance received
from the voice of our conscience.
The lack of meaning in life results in an existential vacuum
When life has no meaning, it becomes empty. We live in what
Frankl calls an "existential vacuum." It is a state of
inertia, boredom, and apathy experienced by many. If this state
persists, it progresses into existential frustration, and eventually
becomes a "noogenic neurosis." We try to fill the existential
vacuum with drugs, violence, also with food, over-work, sports,
etc., yet remain unfulfilled.
Noogenic neurosis
This state is what the DSM-IV refers to as "somatization disorder".
In about 20% of these cases, the maintaining cause of somatization
disorder lies in the noetic level, not in the psycho-physical.
Noogenic neurosis can be the result of protracted existential
vacuum or a conflict of values that result in conflicts in conscience.
The tragic triad
Since life is dynamic, we are faced all the time with elements
of the tragic triad:
1. Unavoidable suffering
2. Guilt
3. Death
Here, usually the best way to find a meaning -- especially in
a situation we cannot change -- is to change our attitude! A
new meaning will often dawn by doing so.
Helping people to find meaning
We are spirit.
Our healthy core lies in the noetic dimension, therefore, the
medicine chest of logotherapy is to be found in the noetic dimension.
There, the "defiant power of the human spirit" has to be activated
and brought to bear on current life situations to bring about
the desired change that is healing or life-giving.
With the awareness that we are spirit, we recognize that what
we have can be taken from us, but who we are, never!
We are unique.
There are always situations where we experience our uniqueness:
in relationships, in creativity, etc, etc.... Maybe the painting
we made is not a masterpiece, but it is ours!
We practice self-transcendence.
It is through transcending our previous limitations, striving
toward a worthwhile goal, encountering other human beings that
we find meaning and fulfillment in our lives.
We can change our attitude.
When faced with unavoidable suffering, we can often find meaning
in the situation by looking at it in a different way; i.e.,
by courageously bearing what cannot be changed.
The tools of logotherapy
The main tool is the Socratic dialogue where the therapist and
the client together try to find a meaning in life. Meaning cannot
be given, it must be discovered.
1. The first thing is to make the client realize that he is
NOT A VICTIM of circumstances! He might have symptoms, but he
IS NOT his symptoms.
2. Try to help client find a meaning within his "meaning triangle."
3. Make client independent of the therapist by helping him find
his guidance within.
Conclusion
Logotherapy is Viktor Frankl's philosophy of life. As
such, it can be used in every profession and walk of life. Today
it is being used by educators, counselors, ministers, business
managers, etc. We can all use it in our daily life, when dealing
with our family, friends or colleagues!
Accepting that our life (where we stand today) is a consequence
of our choices made in the past, our future will consequently
be shaped by the choices we make today!
Every day we have many possibilities from which to choose within
our area of freedom. We must choose the most responsible option;
make the best choice, not only for ourselves, but also the people
around us then happiness and meaning fulfillment will
ensue.
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