What is logotherapy?

https://www.viktorfranklinstitute.org/about-logotherapy/
 Logotherapy is both a life philosophy
and treatment modality.

Viktor Frankl’s Logotherapy is both a life philosophy and treatment modality. As a philosophy it focuses on
the meaning of human existence and on man’s search for such meaning. As a therapy it focuses on finding
healing through finding meaning.
 The basic principles of Logotherapy
Frankl based Logotherapy on three fundamental beliefs (also called ‘tenets’):

Humans have freedom of will.

We always have freedom of will to find meaning

Make choices. Meaningful decisions are guided by our values and conscience.
Choose our attitudes. This applies moment-to-moment, but is especially meaningful in times of unavoidable suffering.

The will to meaning is our primary motivation.

Our main motivation for living is our will to find meaning in life.
Humans are drawn to find something, or someone, worthwhile to live and work for.

Life has ultimate meaning (meaning of life).

Life has meaning under all circumstances
There is a deeper, overarching meaning of our lives.
Because there is meaning moment-to-moment, meaning can be found in every situation.
Meaning is discovered through a connectedness with something beyond and greater than oneself.
 Meaning
Frankl maintained that meaning exists for us to discover: it cannot be created or rationalized. In other words, we
can discover meaning but we can’t make meaning. Because meaning is such a core and irreducible concept it is
difficult to define (like love, happiness etc.). Nevertheless, here are some attempts to capture what it represents:

“Meaning is the essence of existence” Viktor Frankl

“Meaning is finding the most correct answer or response to any situation in which we find ourselves” Viktor Frankl

“Meaning is a perception of significance” Park and Folkman

Three avenues to discovering meaning

Frankl determined that there are three ways we connect with meaning: through the things we do,
through the things we feel, and through the stance we take toward situations. He called these the
creative, experiential and attitudinal avenues to meaning-discovery.
● Creative actions. Giving of ourselves and contributing to life through
meaningful work, deeds, or achieving meaningful goals.
● Experiences. Receiving from life through meaningful experiences
or relationships.
● Attitudes. Adopting the right attitude to situations, especially those of
unavoidable suffering.