Viktor Frankl: Existentialism and The Fall
Viktor Frankl’s views on existentialism can be categorized with the fall. His studies on people’s views of life after their experiences in the concentration camps is associated with the results of the consequences from the first Adam. Frankl stated that, “…it becomes clear that the sort of person that the prisoner became was the result of an inner decision and not the result of camp influences alone.” Not only was the Holocaust one of the most tragic and horrifying displays of what human beings can do to one another, but what people became of themselves and how they dealt with the aftermath is a direct result of the fall. “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.” His statement leads us to believe that if we are dealt a certain, unfortunate hand in life, we cannot change it, we can only deal with it; we have to accept the way things are and there is no other way around that certain circumstance. As a result of the fall, we are continuously fed lies about ourselves and our circumstances. If we believe that we cannot change a certain situation, then we can never move forward and redeem ourselves from the curses of the lies. Of course, not all of Frankl’s views were so pessimistic but when looking at his view from this angle it is definitely associated with the fall.
Jennifer Valenzuela on The "Jewish Plato"
8:54 pm, 09.29.13
Never thought of this before and I kind of like it. In the beginning Adam and Eve were blank slates, so they couldn’t rely on their experiences or introspection, so they had to rely heavily on God and his knowledge.
Jennifer Valenzuela on Bound and Broken
8:50 pm, 09.29.13
I agree Irene. Even though we’re free, it takes a while for some of us to realize that we hold the key to unlocking our “chains”. What motivates man view is really great as well.
Jennifer Valenzuela on Plato's Allegory of the Cave & The Fall
3:14 pm, 09.08.13
I like how we were able to use the same concept no put it into different perspectives. This has great insight.
Jennifer Valenzuela on Hippocrates: overcoming the fall
3:10 pm, 09.08.13
This is really good Zach. I like how there is somewhat of a philosophical explanation for the fall.
Jennifer Valenzuela on In the Beginning...
3:05 pm, 09.08.13
I really like your take on this. I had never looked at creation that way before. Great perspective!