Review "Yes to Life: In Spite of Everything"
Do you want to know what life in a concentration camp did to people? Do you want to understand why the meaning of life plays a central role? Then Viktor Frank's book is the right choice.
About the author
Viktor Frankl (1905-1997) was an Austrian psychiatrist, philosopher and writer. He is considered one of the most important representatives of logical humanism. Frankl's life was influenced by the Holocaust when he was interned in the Auschwitz concentration camp during the Second World War. He is the source of the quote:
It never matters what we expect from life, much more: what life expects from us.
What is the book about?
In his book "Yes to Life: In Spite of Everything" (1946), Viktor Frankl addresses the experiences he had during his time in the Auschwitz concentration camp. The autobiography describes his journey from disappointment and loss to a new perspective on life.
Frankl's story begins with his departure to the Auschwitz camp, where he was interned as a psychiatrist. He experienced extreme abuse and violence there, but the cruelty of people towards other people also made him think. He used his experiences in the camp to develop his philosophy of logical humanism. Furthermore, he postulated that despite humanity's pain and suffering, there is one fundamental ability: the ability to "want" or "say yes anyway."
The book's central idea is that it is essential to say "yes" despite all the pain and suffering: yes to life, yes to hope, yes to the search for meaning. Frankl argues that this is the only way to create a meaningful way of life out of the chaos of existence. Overall, Frankl's book shows that even in the darkest times, there is a chance to find meaning in life—or rather, people are forced to see this meaning for themselves to survive.
What's great about it?
The book shows what humans are capable of—all the terrible deeds. Thus, it counteracts forgetting and trivializing right-wing ideas and highlights the relevance of "Never again is now." On the other hand, it shows what inner freedom, stability, and the meaning of life mean.
Inner freedom cannot be taken away from anyone and enables us to live meaningfully until the end. Frankl explains why suffering also has a meaning: how we accept an inevitable fate decides whether and how we survive.
Inner stability strengthens us mentally and makes us independent of external influences - however imperfect they may be. The uncertainty of the end is the worst factor in causing this stability to crumble. I can counteract possible uncertainty professionally and privately by setting deadlines. This quickly takes the fear out of seemingly unbearable situations, securing my inner stability.
What's annoying about it?
Thanks to books like this, we have access to what happened in the Third Reich. Nevertheless, we have shifted to the right in society. A trivialization of right-wing ideas and a coarsening of language that makes any discussion almost impossible.
We have to fear that reason and goodness will prevail. I am immensely annoyed that populists and right-wingers are coming to power in so many countries. So read books like this and educate your fellow human beings. Hopefully, it's not too late!
The best quote
In addition to the historical and political relevance, I find Frankl's perspective on the meaning of life inspiring. The quote mentioned at the beginning helped me immensely in my search for the WHY!
The change of perspective, or the Copernican revolution, as Frankl calls it (page 117 in the book), makes the question more accessible to me. Instead of pondering about the meaning, it is more important to act (→ action instead of motion) – according to your values and your convictions. In this way, I create meaning, as long as my values compass is a "good" one. The question arises: "What is good in this context?" Regardless of the answer, I start doing something that does me well.
Why everyone should read the book
I am writing these lines two days before the federal election on February 23, 2025, in which 20% are supposed to vote for AxD. This prospect makes me feel a powerlessness that I have never experienced before. I neither understand why so many people vote this way nor what I can do to change that. Of course, I face the discussions in my environment when I hear the statements, "I'm not a Nazi, but…" I urge everyone to vote. And if they don't know when to vote, my answer is "Vote for those who lie to you the least" - spoiler alert: in my view, that's the Greens.
When I published this post, I hoped I had been wrong and that we have a strong coalition without Blue, with a vision and the will to tackle the grievances.
