Viktor Frankl's experiences in Nazi concentration camps led him to write Man's Search for Meaning, where he argues that finding meaning was key to survival. He believed that a sense of responsibility and purpose driven by love and creative work empowered people to continue living despite terrible circumstances. While Americans often claim to be happy, Frankl noted it is difficult for them to define life's purpose. The article asserts that Frankl favored pursuing meaning over happiness, as meaning is found through serving others whereas happiness is fleeting and selfish.

1. By Emily Esfahani Smith

2. 1. Which events influenced Viktor Frankl to write his bestselling book? How? (p1-2)
2. Who did he survive in the concentration camps? (p1)
3. What, in his opinion, was the key to surviving in these camps? (p2)
4. Which two basic human aspects influence a person’s will to survive? (p4)
5. What three aspects are discussed in his book? (p5)
6. Draft a quick graph based on the facts in paragraph 7. What conclusions can you
draw from it?
7. What are some advantages of having purpose and meaning in life? (p7)
8. What is the main difference between a happy life and a meaningful life?
(p7/p13/p15)
9. Which one, happiness or meaning, differentiates human beings from animals? How?
(p12/p14)
10. How are happiness and meaning different in terms of time? (p17/p18)
11. What dilemma did Frankl find himself into before the concentration camps? What
do you think about his final decision? (p20-p25)
12. What aspect, happiness or meaning, does this article favor? Which words/phrases
suggest a certain bias towards one or the other?

3. • Viktor Frankl, author of Man’s Search for Meaning, claims that finding meaning in life
helped many survive Nazi concentration camps
• One has the freedom to choose the right attitude to life’s circumstances
• He found that the responsibility found in love and creative work drives people’s
desire to continue living
• His book emphasizes self-sacrifice over the pursuit of happiness
• Americans claim to be happy, but find it difficult to define a purpose to their lives
• Trying to find happiness makes it impossible to find it
• “Takers” usually are happy, which “givers” have more meaningful lives
• Happiness is about feeling good and having what one needs, not different from
animals
• Happiness is related to selfishness and only fulfilling one’s desires
• Joy and meaning emerges from giving to others
• Sometimes happiness needs to be sacrificed to obtain meaning
• Meaning is also about transcending the present moment, which makes it long
lasting, while happiness is transitory
• Frankl had to sacrifice his family life and professional success to take care of his
parents in concentration camps

4. • Viktor Frankl, author of Man’s Search for Meaning favors the
pursuit of meaning in life over searching for happiness. Purpose
can be found in the responsibilities of love or creative work.
Actively searching for happiness actually makes it more difficult
to find it. Happiness is a selfish endeavor no different from
animals trying to fulfill their needs , while meaning is more
transcendental, emerging from giving to others, suffering and
self-sacrifice. Happiness can be temporary, while purpose
transcends time.
• 79 words

5. 1. How is this article relevant to the times we live in?
2. Where do you find happiness? Can you remember one of
your happiest moments?
3. Where/how do you find meaning in your life?
4. Even though we do not have concentration camps any
more, which essential life choices do you think human beings
can make these days to add meaning to their lives?
5. Costa Rica has been labeled “the happiest country in the
world”. Are there reasons to believe this is true? Are we far
from fulfilling this ideal?