Question 1

According to Frankl, ultimate meaning in life is __________.

Accepted Answer

According to Viktor Frankl, ultimate meaning in life is indeed "unconditional and beyond understanding." Frankl, a neurologist, psychiatrist, and Holocaust survivor, developed logotherapy, a form of existential analysis. He believed that life has inherent meaning under all circumstances, even the most miserable ones, and that this meaning is unconditional and may not always be fully comprehensible to us.

Question 2

What is not something Matthieu gives as a reason against euthanasia?

Accepted Answer

This option is not typically given as a reason against euthanasia. While some spiritual or religious beliefs may hold that suffering can lead to personal growth or enlightenment, it is not a common argument used in the ethical debates surrounding euthanasia. The other options (A, B, and D) could be considered reasons that someone like Matthieu might give against euthanasia, as they reflect a value for life and suffering in a moral or spiritual context.

Question 3

What does it mean to say that existence has no intrinsic meaning? If existence has no intrinsic meaning, should we be optimistic at our unbridled freedom to create our own values and meaning? Or should we be sickened or frightened by the fact that there is nothing out there in the world, or within ourselves, beyond what we are conscious of from moment to moment?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What does it mean to say that...

Question 4

What is not something Matthieu says about self-mastery?

Accepted Answer

Matthieu Ricard, a Buddhist monk and author, emphasizes the importance of self-mastery in achieving well-being and understanding the mind, but he does not claim it to be the only thing of true value. His teachings often highlight a balance and integration of various aspects of life, such as compassion, altruism, and mindfulness, alongside self-mastery.

Question 5

In paragraph 3, Frankl talks about pleasure and pain. Do you agree with how he characterizes these experiences? Why or why not? Relate your answer to what you have said about Epicurus' (Reading 116) view of pleasure and pain.

Accepted Answer

The answer of In paragraph 3, Frankl talks about pleasure...

Question 6

What does Frankl say everyone is really searching for?

Accepted Answer

Viktor Frankl, in his book "Man's Search for Meaning," argues that the primary drive in human life is not pleasure (as Freud suggested) or power (as Adler suggested), but rather the pursuit of what he calls "meaning." According to Frankl, people are fundamentally driven to find meaning in their lives, even in the most difficult of circumstances.

Question 7

Do you think that there is still evidence of a "mental-hygiene philosophy" today? Explain your answer with specific reference to what Frankl says about it. Why, according to Frankl, is such a philosophy a problem? Do you agree with him? Why or why not?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Do you think that there is still...

Question 8

How does Frankl characterize suffering? Do you agree with his view? Why or why not? Someone might argue that his view is dangerous because it could be misused by people to rationalize oppression ("Yes, those oppressed peoples suffer greatly, but that gives their lives greater meaning."). Can Frankl's view avoid that danger? Why or why not?

Accepted Answer

The answer of How does Frankl characterize suffering? Do you...

Question 9

In the first paragraph of the section "The Super-Meaning," Frankl contrasts two possible burdens of human existence and argues that only one is a genuine burden. Which is it? Do you think that there is any real difference between saying "life is meaningless" and saying "life is meaningful in a way I can't possibly understand" if either way we can't grasp the meaningfulness of life? If so, what is the difference? If not, how would Frankl's philosophy be impacted?

Accepted Answer

The answer of In the first paragraph of the section...

Question 10

Frankl believes that finding meaning can ease suffering.

Accepted Answer

Viktor Frankl, a neurologist, psychiatrist, and Holocaust survivor, posited in his book "Man's Search for Meaning" that finding personal meaning in life can help individuals endure and transcend suffering.

Question 11

Is Frankl being consistent when he says that we cannot understand the ultimate meaning of our suffering but goes on to recount stories of people finding meaning in such suffering? (Consider, for example, his stories of the elderly doctor who mourns his wife's death, Frankl's own concentration camp story, and the rabbi who grieves because he cannot become a father again.) If you think that he is being consistent, explain the apparent discrepancy. If you think he is being inconsistent, show how you think his argument might be altered to avoid contradictions.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Is Frankl being consistent when he says...

Question 12

Frankl argues that one can find no meaning without suffering

Accepted Answer

Frankl argues that meaning can be found in suffering, but it is not the only source of meaning; meaning can also be found in work, love, and courage in difficult times.

Question 13

By "super-meaning", Frankl means __________.

Accepted Answer

Frankl's concept of "super-meaning" refers to an unconditional, overarching meaning of life that might not always be comprehensible within the limits of human intellect. This concept suggests that there exists a profound level of meaning that transcends our immediate understanding.

Question 14

Buddhism teaches that we should shun the thought of death.

Accepted Answer

Buddhism does not teach to shun the thought of death; instead, it encourages mindfulness of death (Maranasati) as a way to appreciate the preciousness of life and to cultivate detachment and a deeper understanding of impermanence.

Question 15

In the last passage, Sartre discusses cowardice. Think of a particular cowardly action that you have encountered and how in the past you have explained it. Does your explanation accord with Sartre's? What do you now think is the strongest explanation of your behavior and why?

Accepted Answer

The answer of In the last passage, Sartre discusses cowardice....

Question 16

What is not a way Revel and Ricard describe the Western conception of death?

Accepted Answer

Revel and Ricard argue that in the Western conception, death is often seen as taboo, an insurmountable obstacle, and a destroyer of the self, rather than something to be celebrated.

Question 17

Revel and Ricard agree that the common contemporary reaction to death is __________.

Accepted Answer

Revel and Ricard agree that the common contemporary reaction to death is horror.

Question 18

How does Matthieu characterize death? Why, according to Matthieu, does the Buddhist not fear death? What approach does the Buddhist take instead? How would you evaluate his views relative to others you have seen in this chapter, and why?

Accepted Answer

The answer of How does Matthieu characterize death? Why, according...

Question 19

According to Sartre, from what and where does our responsibility arise? Who are we responsible for and why? Do you agree with his analysis? Explain.

Accepted Answer

The answer of According to Sartre, from what and where...

Question 20

How, according to Sartre, does a belief in God create the possibility for excuses that deny our ultimate responsibility? Do you find that contention liberating or oppressive? Why? Can you think of other ideas besides God that people might use to avoid responsibility for their lives and choices?

Accepted Answer

The answer of How, according to Sartre, does a belief...

Quiz 4: Believing