Victor Frankl Man's Search For Meaning Study Questions

With Frankl's memoir and examination of his experiences we step fully out of the realm of mythology -- of fictional monsters and heroes -- and into modern reality, where all monstrosity and heroism will arise from real people engaged in real, historical actions.

He also suggests that real "monsters" require real "heroes", and so we are not only interested in his memoir as an examination of monstrosity but, perhaps even more, as an examination of real heroism as it plays out in real lives. Because in the end, this will be the arena in which we all will actually confront monstrosity.

To answer the questions below, review the following:
a) Differentiate between "monstrosity" as a concept or idea and "monster" as a thing. In this way, consider that "monstrosity" is a concept (like love or death...) and thus can be a quality that effects things, or it can be something that occurs.

b) In terms of this concept, differentiate between essence and process: Critical Thinking and Monstrosity

c) Frankl is an Existentialist; he defines monstrosity in Existential terms, as a part of "the Existential condition".  For this reason, you'll need to review the course notes on Existentialism and situate most of your answers in that context. Review:

Existentialism         Existentialism Is A Humanism

The Questions. As always: refer to, quote and cite specific passages of the relevant sources:

Monsters:
What are the monsters? There are many.

Who are the monsters? There are many.

What is the process that turns these people in into "monsters", or, to put it more exactly, what is the monstrous process that effects or "infects", so to speak, people with monstrosity?

Based on your analysis of the above questions, what would you say is the essence or essences of monstrosity?

Heroes:
Who are the heroes? There are many.

What is the process that turns these people in into "heroes", or, to put it more exactly, what is the process that inoculates people against the effects or "infection", so to speak, of monstrosity?

What does Frankl's experience surviving the Holocaust suggest about the nature of heroism in relation to (when faced with) monstrosity?

Each person in the group: describe in one paragraph each how you could apply the lessons of heroism to an actual "monstrous" event in your own lives.  Keep in mind that we're discussing the Holocaust, so treat the answer to this question with maturity and thoughtful respect.