Viktor Emil Frankl, founder of logotherapy, emphasized the search for meaning. His book 'Man's Search for Meaning' details his time in Nazi concentration camps.
Viktor Frankl, the Austrian psychiatrist and psychotherapist who developed the psychological approach known as logotherapy, was born in Vienna, Austria.
Viktor Frankl published his first lecture titled 'On the Meaning of Life' on December 31, 1921, and also joined the Young Socialist Workers.
At the age of 18, Viktor Frankl contacted Dr. Sigmund Freud and sent him a paper he had written. This led to Freud's request to publish one of Frankl's papers, marking a significant early recognition of Frankl's work.
In 1924, Viktor Frankl is studying medicine at the University of Vienna Medical School and becomes the spokesman of the Austrian Socialist High School Students Association.
Viktor Frankl delved into psychotherapy and Weltanschauung around December 31, 1925.
Frankl explores the differences between psychotherapy and philosophy, focusing on the question of meaning and values.
In 1927, Viktor Frankl's relationship with Alfred Adler declines as he becomes critical of the central tenets of Individual Psychology. This marks a significant shift in Frankl's professional relationships and ideological stance.
Frankl introduces Logotherapy for the first time.
In 1930, at the age of 25, Viktor Frankl organized free youth counseling centers in Vienna to combat the epidemic of teen suicides occurring around the time of report cards. His efforts were successful as within a year, suicides dropped to zero.
In 1930, Viktor Frankl completed his medical degree at the University of Vienna.
Frankl starts organizing counseling centers where adolescents receive advice, with the financial support of other psychologists.
Frankl works on developing theories in the field of neurology.
In 1933, Viktor Frankl was assigned to lead the ward for suicidal women at the Psychiatric Hospital, overseeing many thousands of patients annually.
Viktor Frankl's membership in the Austro-fascist 'Fatherland Front' in 1934 was highlighted in his Gestapo profile, raising questions about his political affiliations during that time.
On December 31, 1937, Viktor Frankl takes on the role of head or leader of the Female Suicidals Pavilion at the Psychiatric Hospital in Vienna, where he assists approximately 3000 patients annually.
In the period before the Anschluss, Viktor Frankl was invited by the Zionist Youth Section to deliver two lectures on the Psychological Problems of Jewish Youth. The announcement of the second lecture was made on March 11, 1938, just a day before Hitler's forces invaded Austria, leading to the abrupt cessation of all activities of the organization.
In 1939, Viktor Frankl's paper Philosophy and Psychotherapy is published in a Swiss medical journal. In this paper, he introduces the term 'Existential Analysis,' which serves as the philosophical basis for Logotherapy.
Between December 1940 and December 1942, Viktor Frankl is employed at the Rothschild Hospital, where he likely contributes to the field of neurology and psychiatry.
In 1941, Viktor Frankl married a nurse named Tilly Grosser while he was at Rothschild Hospital. Despite having the opportunity to escape Vienna with a visa, he decided to stay due to conflicting emotions about leaving his parents.
On December 31, 1942, the Nazis force Viktor Frankl and his wife Tilly to abort their child.
On December 31, 1944, Viktor and Tilly Frankl are sent to the Auschwitz extermination camp where Tilly later dies at the age of 24.
After 5 months of hard labor at Kaufering, a sub camp in Dachau, Viktor Frankl was offered to work as a doctor at Türkheim. Despite his initial skepticism, Frankl decided to accept the offer as he believed that caring for sick prisoners would give meaning to his suffering life.
On April 23, 1945, Viktor Frankl's camp is liberated.
On April 27, 1945, the camp where Viktor Frankl was held is liberated by U.S. troops. Frankl is appointed as the chief doctor of a military hospital for displaced persons.
On December 31, 1946, Viktor Frankl creates the book 'Man's Search for Meaning' after overcoming despair and becoming the director of the Vienna Neurological Policlinic.
On December 31, 1947, Viktor Frankl marries his second wife Eleonore Schwindt and publishes his practice-oriented book 'PSYCHOTHERAPIE IN DER PRAXIS'.
In 1948, Viktor Frankl is appointed as 'Privatdozent' of Neurology and Psychiatry at the University of Vienna, where he delivers his 'Metaclinical Lectures'.
In 1950, Austrian psychiatrist Wilhelm Soucek coins the term 'Logotherapy and Existential Analysis' for Viktor Frankl's approach, naming it the 'Third Viennese School of Psychotherapy' alongside Sigmund Freud's Psychoanalysis and Alfred Adler's Individual Psychology.
In 1954, Viktor Frankl was invited to give lectures at universities in England, Holland, and Argentina. This opportunity allowed him to share his insights and teachings with a wider audience.
On April 23, 1955, Viktor Frankl is promoted to the position of Professor at the University of Vienna. This advancement leads to him starting guest professorships at universities abroad.
Viktor Frankl received the Promotion Award for Public Education from the Ministry of Education in Austria in 1956.
In 1959, Viktor Frankl published his most distinguished book, 'Man's Search for Meaning', chronicling his experiences in the concentration camps and proposing the foundation of his theory of logotherapy.
In 1961, Viktor Frankl became a guest professor at Harvard University, where he addressed the topic of personal freedom and made the famous suggestion of adding a 'Statue of Responsibility' on the West Coast of the United States.
In 1962, Viktor Frankl was awarded the Cardinal Innitzer Prize in Austria.
Viktor Frankl highlights the significance of love as the highest aspiration for individuals, enabling both the beloved and oneself to find meaning. He contrasts love with the common confusion of sex in modern society.
The term noö-dynamics, derived from the Greek word noös meaning mind or spirit, was a central feature of Frankl's existential theory.
In 1966, Viktor Frankl was invited to speak at San Quentin prison, where his views on personal responsibility, guilt, and redemption deeply resonated with the inmates. He was later asked to deliver a special address.
In 1967, Viktor E. Frankl published the book 'Psychotherapy and Existentialism: Selected Papers on Logotherapy' in New York. The book discusses the relationship between psychotherapy and existentialism, focusing on logotherapy.
Viktor Frankl was honored with the Austrian Cross of Honour for Science and Art, 1st class, in 1969.
In 1970, Viktor Frankl was honored by his peers with the creation of the Viktor Frankl Institute, recognizing his significant contributions to psychology and psychotherapy.
In 1971, Viktor Frankl assumed the position of executive director at the Viennese Neurological Health Center, a role he held until his death. This position allowed him to further contribute to the field of neurology and psychology.
Viktor Frankl explains the origins of various psychopathologies, such as anxiety neuroses being rooted in existential anxiety and a sense of unfulfilled responsibility. He describes how individuals may misinterpret their anxiety and attribute it to specific issues in life, like hypochondria.
In 1975, Viktor Frankl emphasized the importance of re-humanization in psychotherapy as a significant step towards effective treatment.
In 1976, Viktor Frankl received the Prize of the Danubia Foundation.
In 1977, Viktor Frankl became the first non-American to receive the American Psychiatric Association's prestigious Oskar Pfister Prize for his exceptional work in the field of psychiatry.
In 1978, Viktor Frankl faced backlash and was called a 'nazi pig' during a lecture at the Institute of Adult Jewish Studies in New York due to his stance on forgiveness and collective guilt.
The First World Congress on Logotherapy is held in San Diego, California in 1980, marking a significant event in the field of Logotherapy.
In 1981, Viktor Frankl was honored with the Austrian Decoration for Science and Art.
Lawrence L. Langer, a scholar and Holocaust analyst, criticized Viktor Frankl's logotherapy, pointing out distortions in Frankl's description of Auschwitz and his focus on 'meaning'. Langer suggested that Frankl's doctrine could be misinterpreted and compared it to the Nazis' justification for their actions.
In 1985, the 'Society for Logotherapy and Existential Analysis' (GLE) is established in Vienna by Alfried Längle, leading to a divergence between Frankl and this group over differing views on human existence and the concept of meaning.
In 1986, Elisabeth Lukas, a notable student of Frankl, inaugurates the South German Institute of Logotherapy, furthering the dissemination of Logotherapy principles.
In 1988, Viktor Frankl stirred controversy by accepting a medal from President Waldheim, a controversial figure with ties to Nazi war crimes, leading to criticism from the international Jewish community.
Viktor Frankl taught at the University of Vienna until 1990, imparting his knowledge and insights to students. His teachings had a lasting impact on many individuals.
In 1991, the Library of Congress recognized 'Man’s Search for Meaning' as one of the ten most influential books in the U.S. The book continues to be popular, appearing on Amazon’s Top 100 Books list and being recommended as one of Amazon’s Top 100 Books to Read In a Lifetime.
In April 1992, the 'Viktor Frankl Institute' is established, dedicated to the teachings and legacy of Viktor Frankl.
In 1993, Elly Frankl, in recognition of her dedicated work in Logotherapy, is bestowed with an honorary doctorate by Chicago's North Park University.
In 1995, Viktor Frankl made a poignant observation about his suffering in the concentration camps, expressing gratitude for the perspective it gave him on real troubles and the appreciation for life he gained.
A collection of recollections by Viktor Frankl, providing insights into his life, experiences, and thoughts.
Viktor Frankl passed away in Vienna. He was known for his significant contributions to psychology and his development of logotherapy.
Dr. Viktor E. Frankl, a psychiatrist from Vienna known for his work on the search for meaning, passed away at the age of 92.
Viktor Frankl's autobiography titled 'Recollections' was published in 2000 by Basic Books in Cambridge, MA. It provides insights into Frankl's life and experiences.
Frankl volunteered to give public talks on various topics related to medicine and psychology. This reflects his commitment to sharing knowledge and contributing to the intellectual community.
A biography of Viktor E. Frankl was published in Contemporary Authors Online, providing insights into his life and work.
Frankl introduced the concept of noö-dynamics, emphasizing the tension between a person's end goal and their current state as a driving force towards purpose in life.
Frankl stated that mental well-being is about the existential dynamics in a polar field of tension, where one pole represents the meaning to be fulfilled and the other pole represents the individual fulfilling it.
Frankl emphasized that the search for meaning is the primary motivation in life, highlighting the need to acquire tools to find meaning.
A longitudinal life history study with a qualitative-morphogenic, idiographic-morphogenic research design was conducted to portray Frankl's life through evidence, theory, and interpretation.
Researchers explored and described Frankl's life and strategies for attaining meaning through the lens of his key theoretical concept in his existential theory.
Pytell's book delves into the life of Viktor Frankl, focusing on his search for meaning and his impact on 20th-century psychology.
Viktor Frankl's book 'Yes to Life: In Spite of Everything' was published in 2020 by Beacon Press in Boston. It offers a perspective on finding meaning and purpose in life despite challenges.