“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.”
About
Viktor Frankl survived the unthinkable and turned suffering into purpose. A psychiatrist and Holocaust survivor, he endured Nazi concentration camps and emerged with a powerful insight: that even in the most brutal conditions, life holds meaning. His book Man’s Search for Meaning became a beacon of hope, teaching that purpose not pleasure or power is the key to human fulfillment. Through logotherapy, Frankl offered the world a roadmap for resilience, reminding us that while we cannot always control our circumstances, we can choose our response.
Place of Birth
Vienna, Austria
Birthday
March 26, 1905
Death
September 2, 1997 in Vienna, Austria
Legacy
Viktor Frankl was an Austrian neurologist, psychiatrist, Holocaust survivor, and the founder of logotherapy — a form of existential analysis focused on the search for meaning. His book Man’s Search for Meaning, written after surviving Nazi concentration camps, has inspired millions worldwide as a testament to human resilience and the power of purpose in the face of suffering.
Influence
Frankl’s teachings deeply impacted psychology, therapy, philosophy, and personal development. He offered a third path beyond Freud’s will to pleasure and Adler’s will to power… the will to meaning. His message resonated with spiritual seekers, trauma survivors, and mental health professionals, and continues to influence modern therapy, especially positive psychology and existential counseling.
Values & Beliefs
Frankl believed that meaning is the primary human motivation, not pleasure or power. Even in the most inhumane conditions, he saw the capacity for dignity, choice, and moral courage. He emphasized personal responsibility, spiritual strength, and the inner freedom to choose one’s attitude regardless of circumstances.
Most Famous For:
Writing Man’s Search for Meaning
Founding logotherapy and existential analysis
Demonstrating psychological resilience in the face of suffering
Inspiring millions with the idea that we are free to choose how we respond to adversity
“When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves.”
Ethan Townzen 