Dr. Viktor E. Frankl

 Dr. Viktor E. Frankl

 

“He who has a why to live for, can bear almost any how.” – Viktor E. Frankl

One of the mentally strongest men of history. This individual was wronged multiple times by a society that felt the need to embrace national socialism and fascism and yet continued to survive and thrive. Amid all the odds of life, Dr. Frankl was able to muster the strength to resist any or all of the insults, injuries, hatred, and group think that was set against him. His story should be a great example of the perils of following the group for the sake of following the group and the importance of individual will to liberty, self-determination, and a firm belief in GOD.

 

“Decisions, not conditions, determine what a man is.” – Viktor E. Frankl

 

Viktor E. Frankl was taken by the German Nazi soldiers who embraced nationalist socialism. They worked together to ascribe all their ills on a common enemy. This illogical hatred was used as fuel to continue the assault on individuals that did not share the Nazi beliefs or their appearance or bloodline. Yet, no one rose up and spoke out against the onslaught of precious human life. There was rarely any dissidents because they would feel the fury of the evil empire. So great was the fear of people of Germany that even prominent English politicians feared from afar. They would have rather capitulated to the growing strength of the hateful yoke than speak against it. Only a sane English individual by the name of Winston Spencer Churchill believed on the need to defend life from death and to show strength where weakness abounded.

 

“Life is never made unbearable by circumstances, but only by the lack of meaning and purpose.” Viktor E. Frankl

 

Through the organization of oratory and lies, did the empire gain strength. Attacking and destroying human life that they deemed different from themselves. Jewish individuals were taken into captivity and destroyed in a show of force that can only be described as unrestricted hatred and a dedication to the eradication of human life. While these changes occurred, few individuals dared to challenge the authority that was demonstrating unrestrained destruction. Qeue Viktor E. Frankl. The individual who demonstrated in his recollections, “Man’s Search For Meaning,” just how vicious and cruel ideologies can be. While suffering from the unfair captivity of Nazis, Viktor E. Frankl was able to take all the abuse, all the suffering that he was witnessing, and demonstrate a stoic nature so few could muster under those circumstances. Rather than lose his will to live as many did in the concentration camps, Frankl must have thought, “He that has a why can bear any how.” He continued regardless of the circumstances and regardless of everything that he had endured.

 

“Life is not primarily a quest for pleasure, as Freud believed, or a quest for power, as Alfred Adler taught, but a quest for meaning. The greatest task for any person is to find meaning in his or her own life.” Viktor E. Frankl

 

Although he was publically ridiculed and beaten, he continued showing that he was in control of his own destiny. Even in the worst circumstances he demonstrated that no one was to take the sovereignty that he was endowed with. He alone defied the order that he was living in from within. Even after being accused and whose life was changed drastically, he continued on as if nothing changed. He placed himself in a mentality where he was able to withstand any insult, any hurt, any problem, because he was more than the circumstances. He was more than his enemies. He was much more than all of these combined. His book gives so much hope to humanity as a whole. Yet, his living example of strength and high courage shows us what it means to have peace of mind and character even in the midst of a world that wants to embrace cruelty and hatred.

Viktor E. Frankl's Book, Man's Search For Meaning, Describes the Importance of Positivity, Gratitude, Meaning, and Purpose

After Viktor E. Frankl had gone through the difficulties of racism due to nazi socialism, his book, Man's Search For Meaning, describes the importance of finding meaning and persevering having a purpose. Frankl's book describes the importance of having meaning and purpose in this life so that there is no meaninglessness and purposelessness. Even after going through hate and envy, Viktor E. Frankl was able to practice psychiatry and instruct on the importance of keeping a positive outlook in life. Viktor E. Frankl kept learning and did not let the envy and hate of socialist nazism lead him to hate. Viktor E. Frankl kept learning throughout his life being able to keep practicing Psychiatry and was able to receive a Doctorate in Philosophy. We learn that he wrote many books on Logotherapy and that Positive Psychology is derived from Viktor E. Frankl's writings. In 1983, he was able to go to West Germany to give a symposium about Positive Psychology and the need to have meaning and purpose in one's own life. 

Viktor E. Frankl describes in his book the manner that nihilism attempts to lead individuals to a state of emptiness were there is no meaning and purpose. This abscence of meaning and purpose leads to negative emotions, neuroticism, and difficulties. We learn that the Sacred Scriptures remind us of the importance of having meaning and purpose in the worship of GOD Almighty. This prevents us from having negative emotions describing frustrations, fear, bitterness, resentment, anger, and envy. Positive Psychology describes the need to keep being positive and having gratitude that acknowledges the importance of meaning and purpose. Viktor E. Frankl described that individuals can have meaning and purpose by being creative in their own work, having filial love, and acknowledging that even obstacles and circumstances can be used to find meaning and purpose. This describes the manner that we can not allow negative emotions, false philosophies, and the practice of sin lead to meaninglessness and faithlessness. We are able to find happiness and goodness when we decide to persevere with righteousness in the worship of GOD Almighty. Viktor E. Frankl is able to help us understand the manner that we can keep faith and courage because there is meaning and purpose.

Acknowledging the Importance of Meaning and Purpose Prevents the Existential Vacuum

"To life he can only respond by being responsible. Thus logotherapy sees in responsibility the very essence of human existence."- Man's Search for Meaning (page 131)

Viktor E. Frankl describes that one of the biggest dangers of his times was the threat of nihilism. This specific philosophy that states that life has no meaning. We know that this false philosophy leads to lack of meaning, lack of purpose, and lack of faith. We learn that nihilism can lead to the existential vacuum where individuals do not have meaning and purpose that leads to negative emotions, depression, aggression, and addiction. Viktor E. Frankl describes that logotherapy helps individuals be able to remove the negative emotions because logotherapy has the intention of helping individuals understand the importance of having meaning and purpose. We learn that life has meaning and purpose when there is creativity meaning being able to create or work, have filial love, and persevere amidst obstacles and circumstances. This requires individuals to have responsibility. We learn that nihilism wants to lead to irresponsibility, slothfulness, intemperance, envy, anger, and hate among other vices.

"In fact, freedom is in danger of degenerating into mere arbitrariness unless it is lived in terms of responsibility. That is why I recommend that the Statue of Liberty on the east coast be supplemented by a Statue of Responsibility on the west coast. "- (page 156)

Viktor E. Frankl describes that individuals who have meaning and purpose are able to persevere even amidst opposition and difficult times. We learn that Viktor E. Frankl was able to persevere even when placed in four different concentration camps because he was able to keep a positive demeanor, placed a responsibility on himself to publish his first book's manuscript even when the book was confiscated, and have the responsibility to take care of his patients in the concentration camp. In one specific circumstance, Viktor E. Frankl was given the option to flee the concentration camp and leave his patients behind. Viktor E. Frankl decided to keep responsibility and stayed with his patients. This decision to be responsible also allowed him to persevere. Viktor E. Frankl described that after the removal from captivity, he had statistically calculated the probability of survival in a concentration camp. The odds were not very inspiring. Yet, Viktor E. Frankl persevered knowing that he had responsibility to keep going despite set-backs, opposition, and envy. We learn that Viktor E. Frankl kept being positive and described the importance of having gratitude, faith, a sense of humor, and perseverance amidst not so good times. This is because individuals have meaning and purpose that allows them to know that they can persevere. 

The Worship of GOD Almighty Allows For Improvement, Meaning, Purpose, and Development of Virtues

"The more one forgets himself-by giving himself to a cause to serve or another person to love- the more human he is and the more he actualizes himself. What is called self-actualization is not an attainable aim at all, for the simple reason that the more one would strive for it, the more he would miss it. In other words, self-actualization is possible only as a side-effect of self-transcendence."- Man's Search for Meaning (page 133)

We know that the worship of GOD Almighty helps us persevere regardless of times, obstacles, or circumstances. We learn that worshiping GOD Almighty and obedience to the commandments allows us to acknowledge that there is a Creator that is greater than ourselves. We learn that when we accept and confess King Jesus Christ Eternal LORD and Savior we have filial love that prevents us from having negative emotions. We know that we begin to improve in virtues because faith prevents us from believing the temporary lies of sin. We learn that in the existential vacuum, individuals that believe in nihilism are led to boredom seeing that having no meaning and no purpose leads to boredom. The boredom then causes individuals to have a negative triad describing depression, aggression, and addiction. We learn that nihilism attempts to lead to falsely believe that pleasure or power helps. We learn that instead of helping, the illusion of power and attempting to use lust to derive pleasure leads to even greater difficulties. Viktor E. Frankl described that finding meaning in one's life is far more important and actually allows individuals to persevere amidst pleasant times or not so pleasant times. Having meaning and purpose allows individuals to have satisfaction, true joy, and develop resiliency.

"A statistical survey recently revealed that among my European students, 25 percent showed a more-or-less degree of marked existential vacuum. Among my American students it was not 25 percent but 60 percent. The existential vacuum manifests itself as a state of boredom."- Man's Search for Meaning (page 129)

Logotherapy Allows Individuals to Find Meaning and Purpose

"Having shown the beneficial impact of meaning orientation, I turn to the detrimental influence of that feeling of which so many patients complain today, namely of the feeling of the total and ultimate meaningless of their lives. They lack the awareness of a meaning worth living for."- Man's Search for Meaning (page 128)

We learn from Viktor E. Frankl that logotherapy is the name given to the therapy that occurs that allows individuals to find meaning and purpose in their lives. We learn that logotherapy helps because logotherapy goes to the heart of the problem when individuals have an existential vacuum. We learn that logotherapy sees the manner that individuals find meaning and purpose in their lives so that there is no existential vacuum, negative emotions, nor boredom. We learn that having meaning and purpose prevents individuals from having ingratitude, anger, envy, the existential vacuum, depression, aggression, and addiction. 

We learn that logotherapy can help individuals not have negative emotions and instead there is gratitude and improvement. Dr. Viktor E. Frankl states that he had seen the manner that individuals are able to significantly improve when they acknowledge and understand that there is meaning and purpose in their lives. We are able to know that we can not allow false lies of sin to lead to nihilism that attempts to question the importance of meaning and purpose. We learn that we do not question having meaning and purpose and instead we question nihilism and false philosophies of sin that do not help, do not improve individuals, and lead them to an existential vacuum. 

Persevering Amidst Obstacles, Persecution, or Tribulation

"We must never forget that we may also find meaning in life even when confronted with a hopeless situation, when facing a fate that can not be changed. For what then matters is to bear witness to the uniquely human potential at its best, which is to transform a personal tragedy into a human achievement."- Man's Search For Meaning (page 135)

Viktor E. Frankl described that individuals are able to persevere amidst difficult times because they have meaning and purpose. We learn that Viktor E. Frankl was able to persevere amidst persecution and four concentration camps because he knew that he had to persist having meaning and purpose. We learn that even amidst obstacles, individuals are able to turn difficulties into something good. We learn that instead of seeing the negative, we are able to see the good in everything knowing that there are lessons to be learned and that can allow us to persevere without practicing sin, idol worship, and vices that lead to destruction. Even amidst the persecution from German nazi socialists, Viktor E. Frankl turned the difficulties into a learning experience. He was able to describe that human life has dignity and sovereignty.  He also described that individuals are able to persevere with courage that allows us to withstand adversity and not so good times. 

"It is one of the basic tenets of logotherapy that man's main concern is not to gain pleasure or to avoid pain but rather to see a meaning in his life. That is why man is even ready to suffer, on the condition, to be sure, that his suffering has a meaning. But let me make it perfectly clear that in no way is suffering necessary to find meaning. I only insist that meaning is possible even in spite of suffering-provided, certainly, that the suffering is unavoidable."- Man's Search For Meaning (page 136)

We learn that Viktor E. Frankl was able to turn the difficult circumstances that he lived into therapy for individuals. We learn that logotherapy is based on the need to keep positivity even amidst difficult times. We learn that finding meaning and purpose allows us to persevere even amidst tribulation. Viktor E. Frankl described that individuals are able to persevere even amidst difficult circumstances because they acknowledge that their life has meaning and purpose, they are able to remain creative, and are able to acknowledge the importance of filial love and genuine empathy. We learn that Viktor E. Frankl turned all the negativity and hate into therapy that helped individuals see the manner that they can persevere. We learn that he was able to survive four concentration camps, write and publish his first book despite the book being confiscated, was able to write additional books on logotherapy, provided logotherapy to patients, went back to school to get a Doctorate of Philosophy, and held a conference in West Germany to instruct the importance of having meaning and purpose. He was able to allow individuals to know that having meaning and purpose prevents there from having meaninglessness, faithlessness, a negative triad, and the false belief that there is no sovereignty seen in nihilism and atheism. There are specific cases in his book that describe the manner that individuals can always see the good in everything and that having meaning and purpose prevents discouragements, demotivation, and a lack of discipline and determination. 

The Importance of Sovereignty

"Man does not simply exist but always decides what his existence will be. By the same token, every human being has the freedom to change at any instant."

Viktor E. Frankl described the importance of acknowledging that we have sovereignty describing the manner that individuals have a choice to improve themselves and rise above their conditioning. This describes that we are able to repent of sin and choose to accept and confess King Jesus Christ Eternal LORD and Savior. We are able to remove sin from our lives and choose to worship GOD Almighty above everything. We know that evil wants to make individuals believe that they have no sovereignty with the intention to lead to the practice of sin and vices. We know that each individual is given autonomy and the freedom to decide if they want to worship GOD Almighty above everything or not. This describes that we can not believe the temporary lies of evil that say that individuals do not have sovereignty and autonomy. We know that Viktor E. Frankl was able to persevere amidst persecution having the autonomy to decide to acknowledge the importance of meaning and purpose and persevere with courage. 

"Man is capable of changing the world for the better if possible, and of changing himself for the better if necessary."

We learn that Viktor E. Frankl chose to have valor and courage to persevere writing his books for the betterment of individuals. This is so that we choose to practice goodness and righteousness instead of wickedness and sin. We learn that Viktor E. Frankl was able to give logotherapy and provide the basis of Positive Psychology that helps us understand that we can improve each day instead of believing the temporary lies of evil that want individuals to think that they have no choice, autonomy, or freedom. We know that individuals are able to turn difficulties and obstacles into learning opportunities that help us improve and get better each day instead of having resentments, anger, and hate. We can choose to improve in the worship of GOD Almighty and keep persevering knowing that we grow in autonomy and sovereignty that prevents us from believing the temporary lies of evil that does not want individuals to improve themselves and help others. We know that evil prefers that individuals quarrel, hate, and envy so that they do not acknowledge the importance of serenity, sovereignty, and wisdom in the worship of GOD Almighty.

The Dignity of Being Human

"A human being is not one thing among others; things determine each other, but man is ultimately self-determining."- Man's Search For Meaning (page 157)

Viktor E. Frankl described the manner that he was a Psychiatrist that was able to see thousands of patients. We learn that Viktor E. Frankl was able to describe about the importance of the dignity that exists in human life. We learn that GOD Almighty creates each human life to have meaning and purpose. We learn that this describes the importance of not only seeing the importance of having significance and purpose in our day to day lives in the worship of GOD Amighty and respecting humanity, but also seeing the importance of dignity in each human life. This wisdom allows us to resist and fight against sin that tries to lead to arrogance and wickedness seen in failed belief systems of the past century describing socialist nazism, socialism, and communism. We are able to understand that we do not need false systems that attempt to lead to the practice of sin and idolatry. We have seen the manner that the false systems caused difficulties, stagnation, and envy in the past.

"A doctor, however, who would still interpret his own role as mainly that of a technician would confess that he sees in his patient nothing more than a machine, instead of seeing the human being behind the disease!" (page 157)

We learn that Viktor E. Frankl described that he saw his patients being more than a machine that needed to be repaired. We learn that he described that there is human dignity that allows us to acknowledge our Creator, GOD Almighty, and also the importance of humanity. We learn that instead of seeing medicine as psychologized medicine, he saw the importance of humanizing medicine. We learn that this is very important in the sense that Viktor E. Frankl sought to help his patients practicing logotherapy that allowed individuals to know that there is meaning and purpose in life. We learn that logotherapy was able to help his patients improve and acknowledge the importance of having meaning and purpose and that there is dignity in being human. This is important realizing that we can improve ourselves each day acknowledging that there is meaning and purpose so that we do not believe the temporary lies of evil that wants individuals to hate others for no reason and lead to disobedience to the commandments of Moses. We learn that instead we can improve each day having gratitude and true joy practicing positive emotions and acknowledging that we have eternal meaning and purpose in the worship of GOD Almighty.

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Figures of History and Individualism allows us to persevere knowing that throughout history there have been righteous individuals that decided to practice good and not practice sin. We are able to persevere knowing that there is no need to fear nor have negative emotions knowing that we trust in the Creator and not in idolatry. We are able to learn about righteous individuals that decided to speak truth and help others even when there are lies being told that attempt to lead individuals to disobedience and the practice of sin. We can persevere without practicing sin and idol worship.

Dr. Albert Sabin

 Dr. Albert Sabin

Dr. Albert Sabin was a physician and researcher who was able to make a vaccine for the poliomyelities virus in the 1950s. We learn that Dr. Jonas Salk's vaccine that used killed polio virus was approved and used successfully. We learn that Dr. Sabin theorized that inactivated or weakened polio virus would lead to a greater immune reaction that would be more effective against the poliomyelitis virus. We learn that Dr. Sabin was able to create another polio virus vaccine to fight against polio virus infection. 

We learn that both vaccines were effective against fighting the polio virus seeing that the number of cases of polio in the 1950s decreased substantially. We learn that this described the two methods that are usually used by researchers to create vaccines. We learn that there is the killed virus method that prevents individuals from obtaining sickness or illness seen in Dr. Salk's polio vaccine that was highly effective and efficient at reducing polio infection. 

We learn that the other method of producing vaccines is the inactivated virus method that uses weakened virus strains to prevent infection and stimulate an immunological response. We learn that both vaccines were researched over 8-10 years and were tested to make sure there were no side effects or adverse reactions to the individual's health. We learn that science can be used to create great discoveries seen in the poliomyelitis vaccines of the 1950s. We learn that since the use of polio vaccines starting with Dr. Salk's vaccine, polio infections decreased significantly. 

We learn that along with penicillin and certain medications in the last century, there were great improvements in health and well being. We can learn about the vaccines in order to guard ourselves from newer vaccines that have not been researched for 8-10 years and have not been tested compared to previous approved and studied vaccines. We can learn that science can help when used with integrity and ethics, while making sure that we do not place all our attention or importance on science. We know that GOD Almighty is LORD and Creator and that instead we worship GOD Almighty who allows us to distinguish truth from false lies. Instead of making science our everything, we can decide to worship GOD Almighty and learn about science with responsibility and integrity so that we guard ourselves from pseudo-science and unresearched medication and vaccines.

Dr. Jonas Salk

 Dr. Jonas Salk

Dr. Jonas Salk was the individual that created the polio vaccines that used polio virus that was killed with formaldehyde to prevent polio. We learn that Dr. Jonas Salk's polio vaccine was available in 1955 although, he had tested the vaccine for years.

We learn that poliomyelitis was a disease that afflicted individuals causing degeneration of the lower extremities to the point that individuals needed knee braces and walkers to move. We learn that Dr. Jonas Salk worked diligently to create the polio vaccine that allowed individuals to not develop polio. We learn that after 8-10 years of research, we learn that the vaccine was approved for public use in 1955. 

Dr. Jonas Salk created the polio vaccine by destroying the polio virus with formaldehyde and creating a serum that was able to be injected. This was with the intention that the vaccine would cause antibodies to be developed to the polio virus if individuals were to be infected with polio. We learn that the polio vaccine invented by Dr. Salk was effective and efficient at preventing illnesses from polio including preventing severe infection that led to weakness or paralysis of the lower limbs.

We learn that the polio vaccine was one of the greatest medical discoveries in the past century because it was able to help prevent poliomyelitis. We learn that poliomyelitis was a debilitating disease that did not have a cure once it caused severe illness. We learn that science can be used for the good of individuals, yet there must be healthy skepticism about how vaccines are developed and approved. We learn that the polio vaccine took 8-10 years to successfully develop and research, yet was effective at preventing poliomyelitis and thus preventing lower limb paralysis. Dr. Salk also decided to give the vaccine for free choosing not to patent the vaccine meaning that he did not want to make extensive wealth from the vaccine and instead wanted individuals to not develop polio. This describes that there are good individuals that have existed and exist who choose to work for good and not for other reasons.

William Tyndale

 William Tyndale

"You can excommunicate me from the church but not from the Church of Christ victorious." 

William Tyndale was a translator of the Sacred Scriptures who allowed the Sacred Scriptures to be interpreted to the English language. We learn that there was opposition to William Tyndale translating the Sacred Scriptures. This is because during the Dark Ages, there was corruption and there was persecution. We learn that William Tyndale is described being an individual that helped translate the Scriptures to English. 

There was opposition from individuals who did not want him to translate the Sacred Scriptures because this would allow individuals to learn for themselves about the truth that exists in Scripture. We know that throughout different times, there have seen attempts to either add or remove information from Scripture in order to lead to the practice of sin by false prophets or false apostles. We learn that for this reason, it is important to read the Sacred Scriptures so that we do not believe lies.

We learn that William Tyndale had opposition from the Catholic church at a time when there was corruption in the Catholic church. We learn that there was opposition because wicked individuals did not want individuals to learn and read the truth for themselves. We learn that we are able to improve when we read Scripture in order to worship GOD Almighty. We learn that William Tyndale was not discouraged and kept worshiping GOD Almighty with his work. 

We learn that this occurred in the times of the 1500s and describes a time called the Dark Ages due to increased idolatry, sin, and vices. We learn that even when William Tyndale had opposition, he persevered worshiping GOD Almighty and translated the Sacred Scriptures to English. We learn that when he was persecuted to martyrdom, a wicked individual told him that he was excommunicated from the church. To this William Tyndale responded with, "You may excommunicate me from the church, but not from the Church of Christ victorious." 

Verus

 Verus 

"In my adoptive father I observed mildness of temper, and unchangeable resolution in the things that he had determined after due deliberation; and no vainglory in those things that men call honor; and a love of labor and perseverance."- The Meditations (page 4)

Verus was the grandfather of Marcus Aurelius and who took him in after his parents had died when he was young. We learn that Verus allowed Marcus Aurelius to grow with a happy childhood being able to learn from tutors about Stoicism. We learn that Marcus Aurelius described that much of the virtues that he had developed were because of having learned them from his grandfather. We learn that Marcus Aurelius described the importance of practicing temperance and being industrious.

We learn that Marcus Aurelius described the importance of growing up with his grandfather that helped him learn about important qualities that are needed. We learn that he described how his grandfather was of mild character meaning that he had dominion over his emotions and was able to practice serenity and calmness. We learn that Marcus Aurelius described the importance of not allowing the emotions to lead to anger and envy. We learn that instead there is the need to practice calmness and serenity that allows us to persevere. 

"And that might be applied to him which is recorded to Socrates, that he was able to both abstain from, and to enjoy, those things which many are too weak to abstain from, and can not enjoy without excess."- The Meditations (page 5)

We learn that Marcus Aurelius' grandfather was also humble in the sense that he was not involved in excesses and intemperance. Marcus Aurelius described the importance of being able to persevere without practicing excesses and having vices. We learn that instead of practicing vices, there was temperance that describes the manner to persevere without practicing excesses and being dependant on external things. Marcus Aurelius described that his grandfather was of cheerful character and described the importance of not needing negative emotions such as anger and envy. 

We learn that he also learned that there is no need to use flattery or arrogance. Marcus Aurelius described the manner that there is the need to have positive qualities instead of anger and arrogance. We see in the life of Marcus Aurelius the manner that practicing serenity and temperance can help an individual. We are able to understand the importance of grandfathers and grandmothers in helping us learn from their wealth of experiences and life lessons, and improve seeing the positive qualities of others while also practicing gratitude. We learn that while Marcus Aurelius was a Stoic, it is interesting to note if Christianity also influenced his upbringing seeing the manner that he allowed Christianity and ended persecution during his time being emperor. Instead of practicing anger, envy, hatred, and intemperance, Marcus Aurelius learned from his grandfather the value of positive qualities.