Viktor Frankl

Description: (Psychiatrist)

Viktor Emil Frankl was a famous psychiatrist and neurologist from Austria. He was also a Holocaust survivor, having survived Theresienstadt, Auschwitz, Kaufering, and Türkheim. He was the founder of the popular ‘logotherapy’ which is known as the ‘third school’ in the three Viennese schools of psychotherapy. The first two schools were founded by Sigmund Freud and Alfred Adler, both of whom influenced Viktor significantly during his early career days. He based his theory on the belief that the main motivation of any individual is the search for “meaning in life.” He felt the primary purpose of psychotherapy should be to assist an individual in finding that meaning. He wrote the bestselling book ‘Man’s Search for Meaning’ which has sold millions of copies worldwide. Over the course of his career, he played an instrumental role in counseling high school students prone to suicides and enabled them to find a purpose for living. In more recent years, Frankl’s work has been subjected to criticism by holocaust analysts who state that his ‘logotherapy’ had a lot of Nazi influence in it. Apart from this, they also doubted he performed unskilled lobotomy experiments on Jews with the Nazi’s permission.

Overview

Birthday March 26, 1905 (Aries)
Born In Austria
Alternative names Viktor Emil Frankl
Died on September 2, 1997
Spouse/Ex- Eleonore Katharina Schwindt (m. 1947), Tilly Grosser
Parents Gabriel Frankl
Elsa Frankl
Children Gabriele Frankl-Vesely

Did you know

What is Viktor Frankl's most famous book? Viktor Frankl's most famous book is "Man's Search for Meaning."
What is Viktor Frankl's concept of logotherapy? Logotherapy is a form of psychotherapy developed by Viktor Frankl that focuses on finding meaning in one's life as a way to overcome suffering.
How did Viktor Frankl survive the Holocaust? Viktor Frankl survived the Holocaust by finding meaning and purpose in his suffering, which helped him endure the hardships of the concentration camps.
What are some key principles of Viktor Frankl's existential philosophy? Key principles of Viktor Frankl's existential philosophy include the belief that individuals have the freedom to choose their attitudes and responses to life's challenges, and that finding meaning in suffering is essential for psychological well-being.
How has Viktor Frankl's work influenced psychology and therapy? Viktor Frankl's work has had a significant impact on psychology and therapy, particularly in the fields of existential psychology and logotherapy, which emphasize the importance of finding meaning and purpose in life.
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