“Man’s Search for Meaning” by Victor Frankl Essay

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Victor Frankl raised many questions in his renowned book “Man’s Search for Meaning.” One of the brightest of his conclusions is that there are only two races in the world. Thus, Frankl claimed, “there are two races of men in this world, but only these two – the “race” of the decent man and the “race” of the indecent man” (Frankl 108).

The experience the writer gained in the concentration camp made him understand that there could be villains among prisoners, and good people among guards, Nazi. For instance, Frankl claims that irrespective of inhumane conditions and constant psychological pressing under which inmates should have lived, many prisoners still were supportive for their closest friends and often risked their lives for the sake of these close people.

For these people, the life in the concentration camp was “an unrelenting struggle for daily bread and for life itself, for one’s own sake or for that of a good friend” (Frankl 22). However, there were prisoners who were called Capos. These people pertained to the other “indecent” race since they “were harder on the prisoners than were the guards” (Frankl 22).

On the contrary, there were guards who revealed compassion and should be regarded as “decent.” Frankl saw people’s behavior in extreme situations which usually reveal the real nature of every individual. In conclusion, it is necessary to point out that Victor Frankl answered one of the most disputable questions concerning races.

Admittedly, there is no difference between people of different races, but the difference in their values, beliefs, and deeds. Thus, there are only two races, and it is a choice of every individual to become a part of one of these races.

Victor Frankl wrote in his book: “Our answer must consist not in talk and meditation, but right action and right conduct” (98). I think this is the sentence which contains the answer to the eternal question concerning the meaning of a human’s life. Admittedly, this quote should become a motto of everyone’s life.

I think people are too concerned with asking questions. Many people long to find the meaning of life, but do not see a simple truth. The meaning of life is life itself. One should live and help other people to live. This is the major destination of every individual. Frankl depicts people who lived in horrible conditions.

Those people were not meditating; they were trying to survive. In this extreme situation, Frankl comes to a simple but vital conclusion. People should not wait for something bigger, some supreme predestination to fulfill. People should live, and cherish every moment of their life.

I should admit that I was also trying to find the meaning of life. I spent hours wondering what people are living. However, after I have read the book, I understood the main thing. I not only know what the meaning of life is, but I know what it means the “right action.” It is necessary to live and support people you love and people who love you. This is the supreme predestination which is beyond many people’s reach.

In conclusion, I would like to stress that Victor Frankl revealed the most important truth. He made people understand why they live, or why they should live no matter what. This simple truth will help me to live properly, of that I am sure.

Works Cited

Frankl, Viktor E. Man’s Search For Meaning. New York, NY: Pocket Books, 1997.

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