This book was on my to-read list for the longest time. I kept putting it off for all kinds of reasons. I was mostly afraid that it would speak of religion. Why did I finally pick it up to read? The effect of the pandemic on me maybe. Curious about the meaning of my life. Not sure exactly why. But it ended up being the right time for me, and I found the book to be a lot better than what I had expected. The small last part was fairly hard to read, but the book as a whole was still awesome, non-religious, non-judgmental, inspirational, and powerful. It examines the importance of being aware of our inner freedom, of nourishing it, of striving to develop our inner strength, of being conscious of our responsibility, and ultimately of choosing love. I might read it again.
Commenter  J’apprécie         00
Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms-to choose one's attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one's own way.
Life ultimately means taking the responsibility to find the right answer to its problems and to fulfill the tasks which it constantly sets for each individual. These tasks, and therefore the meaning of life, differ from man to man, and from moment to moment. Thus it is impossible to define the meaning of life in a general way.
"Life " does not mean something vague, but something very real and concrete, just as life's tasks are also very real and concrete.(...) No situation repeats itself, and each situation calls for a different response. There is only one right answer to the problem posed by the situation at hand.
To live is to suffer. To survive is to find meaning in the suffering. If there is a purpose in life at all, there must be a purpose in suffering and dying. But no man can tell another what this purpose is. Each must find out for himself and must accept the responsibility that his answer prescribes.
Life in a concentration camp tore open the human soul and exposed its depths.
Présentation de l'oeuvre de Viktor Frankl sur la chaîne Mind parachutes.