Insightful Reads

Man's Search for Meaning is a 1946 book by Viktor Frankl, a neurologist, and psychiatrist imprisoned in Nazi concentration camps during World War II.  The book chronicles Frankl's experiences as a prisoner, as well as his exploration of the meaning of life. Frankl argues that the primary motivation for human beings is not pleasure or happiness, but the search for meaning.  He defines meaning as the "will to meaning"—the human capacity to find purpose and significance in life. Frankl contends that even in the most horrific circumstances, it is possible to find meaning and maintain hope. Summary The book is divided into three parts. The first part, "Experiences in a Concentration Camp," recounts Frankl's experiences as a prisoner in Auschwitz, Dachau, and other camps.  Frankl describes the physical and psychological horrors of the camps, as well as how he and other prisoners found meaning and hope in their suffering. The second part, "Logotherapy in a