SPIRITUAL

SELF
KENARD L. PEÑA

CAS-06-103P

BS PSYCHOLOGY
Logotherapy Assumptions

What are the basic assumption of logotherapy?

-Logotherapy proposes that humans have a will to meaning, which means that seeing meaning in pain
can prepare the individual for suffering. This assumption embodies a significant departure from one’s
will to achieve power and pleasure. It posits that the discovery of meaning is one’s primary motive for
living.

Franklian Logotherapy Assumptions

1. The human being is an entity consisting of body, mind, and spirit.

The first assumption deals with the body (soma), mind (psyche), and spirit (noos). According to Frankl,
the body and mind are what we have and the spirit is what we are.

2. Life has meaning under all circumstances, even the most miserable.

Assumption two is “ultimate meaning”. This is difficult to grasp but it is something everyone experiences
and it represents an order in a world with laws that go beyond human laws.
3. People have a will to meaning.

The third assumption is seen as our main motivation for living and acting. When we see meaning we are
ready for any type of suffering. This is considered to be different than our will to achieve power and
pleasure.

4. People have freedom under all circumstances to activate the will to find meaning.

Assumption four is that we are free to activate our will to find meaning and this can be done under any
circumstances. This deals with change of attitudes about unavoidable fate.

5. Life has a demand quality to which people must respond if decisions are to be meaningful.

The fifth assumption, the meaning of the moment, is more practical in daily living than ultimate
meaning. Unlike ultimate meaning this meaning can be found and fulfilled. This can be done by following
the values of society or by following the voice of our conscience.

6. The individual is unique.

The sixth assumption deals with one’s sense of meaning. This is enhanced by the realization that we are
irreplaceable.

In essence, all humans are unique with an entity of body, mind and spirit. We all go through unique
situations and are constantly looking to find meaning. We are free to do this at all times in response to
certain demands.
Questions about the flaws of Logotherapy

Often logotherapy is criticized on the basis that it is too hierarchical, placing the clinician in a place of
power over an otherwise vulnerable individual (Frankl, 2014, pp. 46-47). This hierarchical position is said
to give the therapist influence over areas of the patient’s life that would otherwise be untouched by
other forms of treatment. Arguing that logotherapy places the clinician above the patient in every
domain as the client may come to view the practitioner as the arbiter of meaning and value within their
life.

They hold that the logotherapist risks, in light of their humanity, projecting their values and purposes
onto the patient. If true, the claim would be problematic and serve as a more than valid reason for
abandoning logotherapy as the practice would be stepping outside the scope of psychotherapy, no
longer attempting to relieve psychological distress but rather aiming for some form of ideological
possession.

Viktor Frankl, the founder of the logotherapeutic practice, rebuts the claims of hierarchical power and
indoctrination by referring to the other forms of psychotherapy. He notes that logotherapy, like other
schools of therapy, does not attempt to give the patient that thing, which is the underlining basis for the
approach, namely Freud’s theories do not present the patient partners for sex and Adler’s theories do
not give the patients positions of power.

Thus he claims, just as those other schools of therapy do not project onto the patient that which is the
basis of their approach, logotherapy does not project onto the patient specifics of that which underlays
its approach. Namely, it does not project-specific values and meaning onto the patient (Frankl, 2014, pp.
46-47).

Frankl goes on to say that logotherapy is not merely a technique, but it is also an approach tending to
both the analysis and treatment of the individual (Frankl, 2014, pp. xxviii). Logotherapy serves as more
of a guiding principle underlining therapy so that in some senses, all therapeutic techniques can serve
the aims of the logotherapist. It is not the place of the logotherapist to supplant her meaning and
purpose into the client. Instead of the direct application and implantation of meaning, the logotherapist
seeks to remove the impediments to the development of meaning.

The Logotherpist should not be seen as someone who is above her patient dealing out existential
answers but rather as one who is beside her patient. The logotherapist should always be deferential
towards the client, allowing them to discern their own values and meaning (Frankl, 2014, pp 46),
ultimately negating the possibility for the clinician to assume the position of the arbiter and distributer
of meaning and values.
Link of a video
https://youtu.be/5g0Q1qqAv3E

Frankl's Sources of Meaning

1. Purposeful work

-Meaning of life is unique to every individual. Without work, people easily fall into an aimless existence.
Work provides both short- and longer-term objectives and completion of these can result in a deep
satisfaction and sense of value.

2. Courage in the face of difficulties

-A meaningful life is a life of suffering. Suffering as a source of meaning is both curious and also
understandable when it is seen in the light of pain that leads to enlightenment. We may also reframe
suffering as our 'task and gaining a sense of achievement simply by surviving.
3. Love

-Is the only way to grasp another human being in the innermost core of personality? The ultimate factor
to find meaning of life is love. Love is the strongest bond between people and will lead to wonderful
inspiration and great sacrifice. Many of the great works of art were inspired by love, including more
general love such as of nature or God.

Frankl himself used his love of his wife to keep up his spirits and also noticed how other prisoners used
their connection with others to stay positive in the face of extremely negative circumstances.

Another researcher that talk about meaning of life. They gave 5 abundant potential sources of
meaning

5 Sources of meaning in life

1. Materialism

-Finding meaning through your animals, possessions, professional successes, finances, nature, leisure
activities, sexual experiences, health, and/or sports.
2. Self-growth

-Finding meaning through resilience/coping, self-insight, self-acceptance, creative self-expression, self-

reliance, reaching daily goals, and/or self-care.

3. Social

-Finding meaning through feeling connected with family and friends, belonging in a specific community,
contributing to society, and/or taking care of children.
4. Transcendent

-Finding meaning through purpose in life, personal growth, self-development, the temporality of life,
justice and ethics, religion, and/or spirituality.

5. Being here

-Finding meaning through your own uniqueness, for simply being alive, connecting with others and the
world, and/or freedom.

How to improve your spiritual self

1. Search your inner self

 It is all about reflecting to yourself

2. Find meaning of your existence

 It is the realization that you do not just exist but have purpose in life. This purpose helps put
your abilities and potentials into use.
3. Hone your potentials

 It is using and honing you talents and gift you have right now.

4. Nurture

 It is to give yourself a space to listen, affirm your feelings, desires, and doubt.

5. be compassionate

6. Surround yourself with positive people

 They'll bring you to success

7. Be kind to yourself

 Don't pressure yourself to everything

8. Learn the art of giving

9. Try to forgive and forget

 Because it can make yourself at ease and less stress

10. Love everybody

 If you want to maintain positivity in your life. If you want to be love.

11. be kind in every situation

 Because we don't know what is someone experiencing in his/her life.

12. Treat everyone equal

 Everybody is created perfectly imperfect.

13. Have sympathy to nature

-To live harmoniously with nature taking care of it makes your life away from danger and nature will
reciprocate your love.

14. Read books

 Inspirational books can improve not only your knowledge but also your point of view in
everything.

15. Contribute to your community

 By participating to your community programs may create a positive relationship with other
people.
REFERENCES:

Davis, B., (2019, August 27). What are the basic assumptions of logotherapy? Retrieved from
https://www.mvorganizing.org/what-are-the-basic-assumptions-of-logotherapy/

Frankl, V., (2008, April 29). Assumptions to Logotherapy. Retrieved from

https://www.google.com/amp/s/missyost.wordpress.com/2008/04/29/assumptions-of-
logotherapy/amp/

Mosley, (2021, February 22). A CRITIQUE OF LOGOTHERAPY. Retrieved from

https://tweakingo.com/a-critique-of-logotherapy/

Niemiec, R. M. Psy.D., (2018, August 22). 5 Sources of Meaning in Life and How to Tap Them.
Retrieved from https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/what-
matters-most/201808/5-sources-meaning-in-life-and-how-tap-them%3famp

The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica, (2021, September, 8). Totalitarianism. Retrieved from
https://www.britannica.com/topic/totalitarianism