FROM DEATH CAMP TO EXISTENTIALISM

by Viktor E. Frankl ‧ RELEASE DATE: June 26, 1959

This is subtitled A Psychiatrist's Path to a New Therapy and records first, his grim experiences in a German concentration camp; then Logotherapy and the search for meaning. This second part is far more significant and interesting, as he traces the development of the philosophy derived from his experiences. Though he calls it Existentialism it is not the pessimistic interpretation of that abused term. His theme is roughly this:- to live is to suffer, to survive is to find meaning in suffering. Each man must find this for himself. If he succeeds he will continue to grow in spite of indignities. This is the essence of what he calls Logotherapy, which is now widespread in Europe. It gives a more affirmative answer to people's problems than the Freudian answer by stressing man's responsibility to life in any and all situations. Life he sees as meaningful only if man puts meaning into it. Values -- he feels -- are returning....A readable book which deserves reading by all psychiatrists, and may well prove inspirational to the young- even the ""beat"" generation.

Pub Date: June 26, 1959

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Beacon

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 1, 1959

Categories: NONFICTION