Viktor Frankl on Why Idealists Are Real Realists

Toronto Youth Corps, June 7, 1972

[EmperorCaligula_EC]

Thinking this man survived several Concentration Camps, and still came to this view on men is something of the highest respectable achievement of a soul.

[bennyblanco]

This reminds me of the statement by Ibn Qayyim "If you knew the true value of yourself, you would never allow yourself to be humiliated by committing sins."

[Zack-txoz]

I'm watching this video on 4 July 2023, 51 years after this video was taken. To think that this man and his lecture still resonates in time.

[gdc]

I became a psychologist because of this man.

[fdumbass]

This dude just explained why "gritty, realistic" stories feel so wrong often. They're often more depressing than many real-life heroic journeys, because the people irl were idealists who tried their best

[knighthawk]

The first Viktor Frankl quote I heard was, "A man who has a why, can face any how."

This one sentence has made a huge impact in my life in many ways and lives of others I've told this quote too.

[nicolavetter]

I clearly remember the day I was introduced to Viktor Frankl 30 years ago. The book "Man's Search for Meaning" is a book to read every year. His example formed my path in nearly everything I do. He was the real transformational speaker I aspire to be!

[nailakamana]

This is why I always try to set the bar as high as possible, because I can see the potential. I know that by doing so I can push myself to become greater than I am/was. I never knew there was a theory about this.

[sameersawdekar]

He is my ideal, my North Star when it comes to living life.

Having lived through the horrors of the Holocaust, he proved his theory by actually living it when it mattered most; at a time without hope, without respect and dignity to human life and continuous torture.

Viktor Frankl is the real gold.

[MustadMarine]

The meaning of life is the search for meaning. A great man who survived the worst of humanity intact.

[andrewholland]

Viktor Frankl was a Jewish-Austrian psychiatrist known for his work in logotherapy. He survived multiple concentration camps until he was eventually freed. The entire time he held out hope that his wife was still alive, and clutched to his faith. His book, 'Man's Search for Meaning' is one of the most brutal yet optimistic books you'll ever read.

[avab]

The story of my life, I am an INFJ and always idealised people .. the pain I felt when reality crashed me was inexplicable yet now I am so happy I did it this way

[feartheghus]

Strive for perfection, so that when you inevitably miss you’ll hit excellence.

[joeybassbass]

I tried to get out of debt over and over. My goal was to get to $0. It never worked. Then I decided to set my goal for having $10, 000 in the bank. It seemed impossible, at the time. But setting the overly idealistic goal worked, and I managed to claw out of debt in just a few years

[sasthamaniiyer]

At 68, I am unable to recall the contents of his great book... But I can still feel that impact. Pressed hard by the hostile circumstances in life, men and women will and can rise to great heights.

[TheRocketman]

Correct.
The same with enforcing the rules, for example - it really isn't about everyone perfectly following them, but it will be a great difference if 7 out of 10 do the right thing, instead of 3 or none at all if those expectations were absent.
Evolving society has to have ideals and strive for the best. Accepting 'just being' is a decadency.

[brinistaco]

This is the basic philosophy I use when I instruct and it is the way my parents raised me. My Mother expected and showed no doubt when it came to teaching me. She treated me as if I already knew much of it. It works, mostly. I think it is about a certain level of respect for the student, instead of treating them as an inferior

[samarhafeez]

I am an idealist. I totally have same views. Meaning and goal are sparks

[stoicepictetus]

“Happiness is the only good.
The place to be happy is here.
The time to be happy is now.
The way to be happy is to help make others so.”
- Robert G. Ingersoll (1833-1899)

[squamish]

Frankl was at this point 66 years old. After surviving the Holocaust in his 30s. The man was phenomenal.