Under the sub-title The Will to Meaning on page 99, Viktor E. Frankl discusses what the title of the book means. He says "Man's search for meaning is the primary motivation in his life and not a "secondary rationalization" of instinctual drives. This meaning is unique and specific in that it must and can be fulfilled by him alone; only then does it achieve a significance which will satisfy his own will to live".
This passage comes in the 2nd half of the book after they have been liberated from the concentration camp. He talks about how hard it is for the prisoners to leave the camp once they have been informed that they are now free. These men dreamed of their freedom for years and the reality that awaited them was from what they dream t of at night. In their dreams they go home to their residences and are met by family. In reality, they return to find their home has someone else living in it or it no longer exists. The wife and children that they hoped to reunite with have all been gassed in the gas chambers. They have to completely learn how to live life again and they also have to deal with the loss of the things that kept them going while imprisoned. Frankl says that this is more of a reason to live, but many felt it as the straw. He talks of how two men contemplated suicide but choose against it for two completely different reasons. One man fought to live just for the hope that he would be reunited with his son. The other was a scientist and he decided not to end his life because he was concerned that once he was out that no one else could do his job as well as he could. Frankl gave a speech to the prisoners in his hut right before their liberation encouraging the men to not give up on life. This speech came as many of their fellow comrades were committing suicide and he wanted them to have something to live for.
Times Read: 60 minutes on October 18, 2011
30 minutes on October 20, 2011 (While my daughter slept)
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