Abstract

The purpose of this research was to investigate the existential philosophy of Viktor E. Frankl to determine whether freedom is the central motif, and if so, to consider the implications for pastoral counselors. This research was considered potentially significant because the dialogue between the influential philosophy of Frankl and pastoral counselors could provide keener insight and a firmer foundation from which pastoral counselors could view their clients. ;The first task was to investigate the evolution of the historical existential movement. The influential existential philosophies of Martin Heidegger and Jean-Paul Sartre were surveyed to provide more specific concepts from which to view the movement. The second task was to investigate selected philosophical writings of Frankl to determine whether the freedom motif was central to his existential philosophy. This step did not include a thorough investigation of Logotherapy techniques. The main focus was on Frankl's philosophy of man. Frankl's major works translated into English provided the primary material for this portion of the investigation. ;This research found freedom to be "a" central motif of Frankl's philosophy of man. However, Frankl's freedom did not imply unlimited freedom. Man finds himself "thrown" in the conditions of his biological, sociological, and psychological environment. These conditions provide the limitations of his freedom. However, man is unconditionally free in how he will interact with the conditions of his environment. He is free to create, to experience that which is beautiful and good and to take a stand in attitude toward his conditions, the latter being the greatest potential for man to exercise personal freedom. ;The final results of this research, however, did not find that freedom can stand alone as the central motif in Frankl's philosophy. The concepts of meaning and responsibility are just as significant. Without meaning freedom would be arbitrary, directionless, and purposeless. Freedom and meaning together combine to hold man responsible for actualizing his own life