Read Frankl’s Man’s Search for Meaning. Briefly summarize Frankl’s position on the meaning of life. Then, using critical thinking, delineate the implications of his view for the study of motivation (e.g., which aspects of motivational science does his pos

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Freud believes there is an infinite potential meaning to be found in life no matter the circumstances

Confusing because then there is a lack of direction because there is no defined specific goal or need.

There is no ultimate answer to the meaning of life, so one can lose motivation since there is no specific goal or action that can guide and direct behavior.

Franklin’s position on the meaning of life:

The search for meaning is the primary motivation in one’s life.

There are three way to discover meaning

1. Through work, deeds, achievement

2. Through experiencing something (nature, culture, art, goodness, beauty) or by loving someone

3. If necessary, bearing suffering with dignity and courage

However suffering is not necessary for living a meaningful life

Love is the ultimate and highest goal to which man can aspire

Human behavior depends on inner decisions

Meaning of life is specific to individual and can change from moment to moment

Existential despair/ existential vacuum: sense of life’s emptiness and meaninglessness

Arises from “the gap between what one is and what one should become”

Solution to existential despair: finding and actualizing the potential meaning in each situation of one’s life

Self transcendence: forgetting the self by finding a meaning to fulfill a cause to serve, or a person to encounter or love

Meaning of life must be discovered in the world rather than isolated contemplation