Clips from the Victor Frankl Archives
To most people Viktor Frankl is known as author of “Man’s Search for Meaning” and the founder of Logotherapy. But beyond these two aspects of his person and life, Frankl was also known as a philosopher, thinker and close observer of behavior of individuals and behaviors and trends of society. He did not refrain from commenting on problems of larger scale and contexts outside the field of psychotherapy. Some called him a “wise old man”, some critizised him. His precise perception allowed him to spot problems concerning modern day society and he felt obliged to comment on them, as they often formed the fertile ground on which many neuroses would blossom. On this webpage you can experience a variety of original comments Frankl made throughout the years on TV and in lecture halls. Enjoy…
https://evp-50116959de4b9-dd521b5ed563ee25508422182c681a30.s3.amazonaws.com/victor-frankl-clip_newtheory.mp4
NEW THEORY … approx. 1963 [2:08]
TV interview on one of Frankl’s early lecture tours in the USA.
https://evp-50116959de4b9-dd521b5ed563ee25508422182c681a30.s3.amazonaws.com/victor-frankl-clip_resources87.mp4
RESOURCES OF SURVIVAL, 1987 [3:57]
Lecture, Southern Methodist University, Dallas, TX. Frankl on ideas and ideals, depth- and “height-psychology”. Here is his much cited closing statement in which he reminds the American audience of the close ties between freedom and responsibility…
JERRY LONG: “I BROKE MY NECK, BUT IT DID NOT BREAK ME” [6:55]
One of the rare appearances of Frankl together with Jerry Long. Mr. Long, paralysed from neck down after a diving accident at age 17, wrote to Dr. Frankl the lines “I broke my neck, but it did not break me.” Long became a psychologist despite his severe handicap. He died in 2004.
https://evp-50116959de4b9-dd521b5ed563ee25508422182c681a30.s3.amazonaws.com/victor-frankl-clip_exist_phil.mp4
ON EXISTENTIAL PHILOSOPHY [2:40]
Frankl discusses the differences between logotherapy and the views of french existentialists Sartre and Camus.
DRUGS: SUBJECTIVE VS. OBJECTIVE MEANING [4:28]
One of Frankls main topics in the 1960s. When teaching at Harvard University in 1961, he was among few who opposed the experimental use of LSD proposed by Dr. Timothy Leary, stating that “freedom is only one side of a phenomenon whose other side is responsibility”. (California 1968)
ON BELIEF AFTER THE HOLOCAUST [3:31]
Can one believe in god after Ausschwitz? Frankl´s view differed from that of many within his religious community, often sparking emotions and controversy. An rare recording, where he points out his position very clearly.
https://evp-50116959de4b9-dd521b5ed563ee25508422182c681a30.s3.amazonaws.com/victor-frankl-clip_will_meaning.mp4
THE WILL TO MEANING [3:19]
Questioning the existence of meaning in life once was described as a symptom of neurosis by Sigmund Freud. Frankl´s view could not be more different. In this interview given for Canadian television in 1972, Frankl describes the connection between meaning in life and happiness. (Toronto 1972)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3fF-1EF0F9Y
INTERVIEW, SAN FRANCISCO 1984 / TEIL 1 [9:47]
“Conversation with Dr. Frankl”, Interview at the 4th World Congress of Logotherapy, San Francisco 1984.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QCLsbAThjMw
INTERVIEW, SAN FRANCISCO 1984 / TEIL 2 [4:26]
“Conversation with Dr. Frankl”
https://evp-50116959de4b9-dd521b5ed563ee25508422182c681a30.s3.amazonaws.com/victor-frankl-clip_ultimate_m.mp4
RELIGION AND ULTIMATE MEANING, 1990 [4:09]
In this recording made in South Africa in 1990, Frankl speaks of the relations between logotherapy and religion. Being open towards meanings and values, Frankl’s theories have and continue to be often misinterpreted as being religious in nature. Frankl on this topic, and how meaning can be achieved in life.
YOUTH IN SEARCH OF MEANING, 1972 [4:22]
Frankl speaking at the “Toronto Youth Corps” in 1972. See Frankl “at his best” as he vividly explains his theories, and even draws analogies to piloting an aircraft – a passion he had recently picked up.
https://evp-50116959de4b9-dd521b5ed563ee25508422182c681a30.s3.amazonaws.com/victor-frankl-clip_rehumanizacion.mp4
REHUMANIZACION DE LA PSICOTERAPIA [5:14]
Frankl reflects on the use of strategies and techniques in psychotherapy. Despite or because of having grown up in a time of “unconditional belief in technological progress”, the main goal of logotherapy is to re-introduce the human dimension to the profession of psychotherapy. Recording dubbed Spanish for Argentinean television. (Buenos Aires 1985)
https://evp-50116959de4b9-dd521b5ed563ee25508422182c681a30.s3.amazonaws.com/victor-frankl-clip_interview_ba_1985.mp4
TV INTERVIEW, BUENOS AIRES 1985 [3:25]
What is the role of individual human beings in today´s society? A TV-appearence in Argentina, with Dr. Geronimo Acevedo and Dr. Oscar Oro, the founders of the first logotherapy institute in Buenos Aires. Frankl frequently lectured in Argentina where logotherapy found widespread appreciation. He also mastered some Spanish. His first invitation to Argentina came as early as 1954.
