An Existential Cornucopia

Viktor Frankl's logotherapy focused on the essential nature of responsibility in determining the health and well-being of the individual. In fact, the basis for his existential analysis (i.e. his psychoanalytic perspective) is determined by the degree of man's consciousness of his responsibility. The greater the awareness of one's responsibility, according to Frankl, the greater the health of the individual; he seemingly cared little, if at all, for how one responds to that responsibility. It is at this point of “burden” that we begin towards an existential cornucopia.

Fortunately or unfortunately, whatever the case may be, our responses are influenced heavily, particularly in early development, by our immediate environment. We operate much like the mice of Purposive Behaviorism in which learning is situational and reward-based. If we are fortunate, our motive for learning will be based more in acquiring an abundance rather than satisfying a deficiency. Otherwise, we learn early in life to react to circumstances instead of acting in anticipation of them. It is at this fundamental distinction that we find the beginnings of our purpose in life. Admittedly, life is more of a “both/and” situation than an “either/or”, however, level II places us on a continuum between that of an antagonist and a protagonist.

One can view all four levels of individual development as being a reflection of Bruenlin's sequences. Development at level I is the result of personal and situational interactions (S1). These interactions determine, largely, our routines (S2) that define level II. Generally speaking, our routines may be characterized as being in harmony with our surroundings or at odds with it. Accordingly, a therapist may see the beginnings of pathology in a patient at this point.

This personal fulfillment characterizes level IV. It is similar to the self-actualization of Abraham Maslow and embodies constructive transgenerational influences (S4). This fulfillment is the reconciliation of all conflicts regarding our responsibility in life. There is no longer distinctions between who we think we are, what others see us to be and who we actually are; the mind, body and spirit act as one. We have grown beyond the dichotomy of obligation versus opportunity as defining our purpose in life. There are no more obligations, only opportunities, opportunities for service. The purpose of our existence is to serve and in that service we come to understand ourselves in relation to all that surrounds us; the irony is that we have abdicated all personal responsibility. That understanding is the basis of our existential cornucopia.