Auckland Deep Thinkers Sunday Lunch Book Club: "Man's Search For Meaning""

***A new venue and a new style for the new season***. Let's get together once a month to discuss a book that has relevance in today's world. This month's book is **"Man's Search For Meaning" by** Viktor Frankl The book chronicles Frankl's experiences as a prisoner in Nazi concentration camps during World War II, and describing his psychotherapeutic method, which involved identifying a purpose to each person's life through one of three ways: * the completion of tasks, * caring for another person, or * finding meaning by facing suffering with dignity. Frankl observed that among the fellow inmates in the concentration camp, those who survived were able to connect with a purpose in life to feel positive about and who then immersed themselves in imagining that purpose in their own way, such as conversing with a loved one. ***Points for discussion:*** 1. ***Is meaning the primary human drive?*** Frankl argues that the search for meaning—not pleasure or power—is the central human motivation. Can meaning truly override survival instincts, pleasure-seeking, or status ambition? 2. ***Can suffering be meaningful?*** Frankl suggests that suffering, when unavoidable, can be transformed into purpose. Is this empowering or dangerously romanticizing trauma? 3. ***Do humans always retain freedom of choice*** Even in extreme conditions, Frankl insists we can choose our attitude. Is this universally true, or does it overlook psychological and systemic constraints? 4. ***Responsibility vs. Freedom*** 5. Frankl believed that freedom must be paired with responsibility to avoid nihilism. How should societies balance individual liberty with collective duty? **CUSTOMS:** You must register and be on the “Attendees - Going” list to attend. Please bring $2 to cover Meetup costs. **RSVP POLICY:** RSVPs and cancellations will be accepted up until 6 hours before the start of the meetup so that people who feel unwell on the day have time to change their RSVP and allow someone else to attend. ***Please only click 'attend' if you are going to come, and remember to change your RSVP if you need to change plans.*** **No-shows will be removed from the group**; i.e. being registered to attend and not attending OR cancelling your attendance after 11:00am on the day will be considered a 'No Show'. This RSVP policy has become necessary due to the high number of last-minute withdrawals and non-attendance. This unfairly causes people on the Waiting List to miss out. Thanks for your cooperation.