Meaning as Therapy: The Philosophical Foundation of Viktor Frankl’s Logotherapy

Abstract

 Introduction: Viktor Frankl, an Austrian psychiatrist and the founder of logotherapy, shaped his thought under the strong influence of existential philosophy and personal experience in a concentration camp. His conviction that the search for meaning is the fundamental human motivation is grounded in philosophical tradition and directed toward concrete therapeutic implications. In a time when philosophical therapy and its significance for mental health are increasingly discussed, Frankl’s work gains renewed relevance.

 Aim: The aim of this paper is to demonstrate how Frankl’s logotherapy is simultaneously the fruit of philosophical wisdom and psychiatric practice, with particular emphasis on its relevance for contemporary psychotherapy and philosophical anthropology. In addition, one segment of the paper is specifically devoted to the role of suffering and freedom of choice in shaping the human personality, highlighting how, precisely through confronting suffering and the ability to make a free and conscious choice, the individual finds a deeper meaning of existence and becomes the 
subject of their own life.

 Materials and Methods: This paper employs qualitative analysis to study primary and secondary sources in order to understand the theoretical and practical aspects of logotherapy. The analytical method breaks down key concepts and critically examines the role of the spiritual dimension, while the synthetic method compares and connects Frankl’s views with those of other thinkers to create a comprehensive approach.

 Results: The paper shows that Viktor Frankl’s logotherapy transcends the boundaries of classical psychotherapy by integrating philosophical, psychological, and anthropological aspects in 
the understanding of the human being. Particular emphasis is placed on the importance of the noological dimension and the three key therapeutic techniques, which contribute to a deeper confrontation with suffering and the search for meaning.

 Conclusion: Viktor Frankl represents an authentic thinker who bridges the divide between philosophy and psychiatry. His logotherapy is not merely a therapeutic approach, but a call for deeper reflection on the human being, their freedom, responsibility, and quest for meaning.