Viktor Emil Frankl (1905-1997) was an Austrian neurologist, psychiatrist, philosopher, and Holocaust survivor. He is best known as the founder of logotherapy, a school of psychotherapy centered on the belief that the primary human drive is the search for meaning in life. Logotherapy is considered the "Third Viennese School of Psychotherapy," following Sigmund Freud's psychoanalysis and Alfred Adler's individual psychology. Frankl's personal experiences in Nazi concentration camps profoundly shaped his theories. He observed that those who found meaning in their suffering were more resilient. His key concepts include the freedom of will, the will to meaning, and the meaning of life, emphasizing the human capacity to choose one's attitude, even in the most dire circumstances.
After surviving the Holocaust, Frankl became a professor of neurology and psychiatry at the University of Vienna, lectured at universities worldwide, and authored 39 books. His most famous work, Man's Search for Meaning, details his experiences in concentration camps and explains the principles of logotherapy. The book has sold millions of copies and has been translated into over 60 languages. Frankl received numerous awards and honorary degrees for his contributions to psychology and his work on meaning and purpose. Even 120 years after his birth, Frankl's work continues to resonate, offering insights into resilience and the search for meaning in the face of suffering.
