“Ultimately, man should not ask what the meaning of his life is, but rather must recognize that it is he who is asked. In a word, each man is questioned by life; and he can only answer to life by answering for his own life; to life he can only respond by being responsible.”
― Viktor E. Frankl, Man’s Search for Meaning
This quote comes from Viktor E. Frankl’s influential book, “Man’s Search for Meaning,” in which he reflects on his experiences as a prisoner in Nazi concentration camps during World War II and the insights he gained about the human search for meaning and purpose.
Frankl, a psychiatrist and philosopher, developed a form of psychotherapy called logotherapy, which focuses on the human need for meaning and purpose in life. He believed that the primary drive in human existence is not pleasure, as Freud suggested, or power, as Adler proposed, but the desire to find meaning in one’s life.
Frankl’s quote highlights the existential nature of the human search for meaning and the importance of personal responsibility in finding purpose in life. It suggests that the meaning of life is not a pre-determined or fixed concept but rather something that is shaped by our individual choices and actions.
By stating that “each man is questioned by life,” Frankl implies that life presents us with challenges, decisions, and opportunities that demand a response. It is through our responses to these challenges that we define ourselves and create meaning in our lives.
The quote also emphasizes the idea that meaning is not something that can be given to us by others or found in external sources. Instead, it is something that we must actively create and take responsibility for through our own decisions and actions.
Frankl’s words encourage us to embrace the challenges and responsibilities of life as opportunities for personal growth and self-discovery. By answering life’s questions through our choices and actions, we not only find meaning but also shape our own identity and purpose.
Furthermore, the quote suggests that the search for meaning is an ongoing process that requires continuous engagement and reflection. As life presents us with new challenges and questions, we must continually reassess our values, goals, and actions to maintain a sense of purpose and fulfillment.
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