What it means to be human Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

What it means to be hu earthly concern - turn up Examplequotes the words of Nietzsche He who has a Why to live for can bear almost whatever How.(Foreword, ix) What he mentions in the book is no doubt important but how he says, what he says is more(prenominal) important about whom he says is still more important. He doesnt tell the glorious stories of heroes and nifty men. He details the anguishs and mind-plays of the common folk, when imminent death challenged them when they were face to face with the prospectus of death of the belabor order. This book is considered as an important contribution to the psychiatric literature since Freud. Stories of other prisoners and prison staff atomic number 18 interwoven around the story of Frankl, about his imprisonment in Auschwitz and other concentration camps for a reasonably long period of 5 years, and how he kept his inner spirit burning with the latent craving to live. In this aspect Frankl seems to surpass Freud, who propounds tha t sexual instincts and urges are the driving force in the life of a human being. Frankl thinks otherwise and argues about the nobler instincts that are more powerful. The core desire of a human being is to search for meaning and purpose of life. The worst was in store in the life of Frankl. Besides, Auschwitz, he had to go through the rigor of four different camps between 1942 and 1945. His parents, brother and pregnant wife perished. In a similar situation, an ordinary individual will develop suicidal tendencies, if not commit suicide. Frankl was a man of great grit and determination. Through his suffering he encourages others by arguing that one cannot avoid suffering when it has to come, when it falls in ones lot, but it can be challenged, one can portion out with it, find meaning and march forward in life with renewed determination. His theory is known as logotherapy. History produces stalwarts like Frankl whom it wants as the witness and to record its pages daubed in bloodshe d and violence. To prove to humanity that relentless force will not produce anything durable