O Homem em Busca de um Sentido de Viktor E. Frankl

"O Homem em Busca de um Sentido" de Viktor E. Frankl é, além de mais, um retrato biográfico de uma das maiores atrocidades de que há memória.

Viktor E. Frankl (1905 - 1977), psiquiatra austríaco, sobreviveu a quatro campos de concentração, entre os quais Auschwitz, onde através da sua experiência e observações desenvolveu a tese sobre o sentido da vida, da existência humana e do sofrimento, que o levou à criação da teoria da logoterapia, que apresenta na segunda parte deste livro. 

A primeira parte do livro, relativa às condições das vítimas nos campo de concentração, relata situações da vida quotidiana no mesmo e reflete sobre as escolhas que, mesmo em circunstâncias tão miseráveis, ainda se manifestavam. Frankl defende que independentemente da dificuldade em que se encontra, o ser humano é sempre capaz de escolher bem ou mal e de, através dos seus valores e escolhas criar sentido para si.

De acordo com a logoterapia, existem três maneira de descobrir sentido na vida: criar ou fazer algo; experienciar alguma coisa (como bondade, verdade e beleza) ou encontrar alguém (através do amor); e através da atitude que tomamos em relação ao sofrimento inevitável. 

Assim, e opondo-se à psicanálise de Freud (que se centra na vontade de prazer) e à psicologia de Adlerian (que se centra na vontade de poder), a teoria de Frankl afirma que é a vontade de sentido o que realmente justifica a existência humana e que esta pode ser encontrada mesmo nas situações mais improváveis. Ao contrário do prazer e do poder, sentido é algo que pode ser encontrado até no maior sofrimento.

Com isto Frankl não defende que temos de sofrer para encontrar sentido, mas que sentido é capaz de ser encontrado mesmo no sofrimento. 

Mas mais do que os preceitos técnicos que o autor enuncia relativos à logoterapia e os casos concretos que apresenta na segunda parte do livro, cativaram-me as suas reflexões sobre a condição humana, das quais deixo algumas passagens:

"Life ultimately means taking the responsibility to find the right answer to its problems and to fulfill the tasks which it constantly sets for each individual. These tasks, and therefore the meaning of life, differ from man to man, and from moment to moment. Thus it is impossible to define the meaning of life in a general way. Questions about the meaning of life can never be answered by sweeping statements. “Life” does not mean something vague, but something very real and concrete, just as life’s tasks are also very real and concrete. They form man’s destiny, which is different and unique for each individual. No man and no destiny can be compared with any other man or any other destiny. No situation repeats itself, and each situation calls for a different response. Sometimes the situation in which a man finds himself may require him to shape his own fate by action. At other times it is more advantageous for him to make use of an opportunity for contemplation and to realize assets in this way. Sometimes man may be required simply to accept fate, to bear his cross. Every situation is distinguished by its uniqueness, and there is always only one right answer to the problem posed by the situation at hand.

When a man finds that it is his destiny to suffer, he will have to accept his suffering as his task; his single and unique task. He will have to acknowledge the fact that even in suffering he is unique and alone in the universe. No one can relieve him of his suffering or suffer in his place. His unique opportunity lies in the way in which he bears his burden."

"This uniqueness and singleness which distinguishes each individual and gives a meaning to his existence has a bearing on creative work as much as it does on human love. When the impossibility of replacing a person is realized, it allows the responsibility which a man has for his existence and its continuance to appear in all its magnitude. A man who becomes conscious of the responsibility he bears toward a human being who affectionately waits for him, or to an unfinished work, will never be able to throw away his life. He knows the “why” for his existence, and will be able to bear almost any “how". "

"As each situation in life represents a challenge to man and presents a problem for him to solve, the question of the meaning of life may actually be reversed. Ultimately, man should not ask what the meaning of his life is, but rather he must recognize that it is he who is asked. In a word, each man is questioned by life; and he can only answer to life by answering for his own life; to life he can only respond by being responsible. Thus, logotherapy sees in responsibleness the very essence of human existence."

"Freedom, however, is not the last word. Freedom is only part of the story and half of the truth. Freedom is but the negative aspect of the whole phenomenon whose positive aspect is responsibleness. In fact, freedom is in danger of degenerating into mere arbitrariness unless it is lived in terms of responsibleness. That is why I recommend that the Statue of Liberty on the East Coast be supplemented by a Statue of Responsibility on the West Coast."