Language:
English
Year of publication:
2000
Titel der Quelle:
Journal of Contemporary History
Angaben zur Quelle:
35,2 (2000) 281-306
Keywords:
Frankl, Viktor E.
;
Holocaust, Jewish (1939-1945) Psychological aspects
;
Holocaust survivors
Abstract:
Presents a revisionist approach to Frankl, the founder of logotherapy, known for creating a positive philosophy of meaning out of his experience in concentration camps, including Auschwitz. Focuses on Frankl's ambiguous role during the war - his connection with the Göring Institute, his questionable hospital research on Jews who attempted suicide, and his attempts to prevent suicides in Theresienstadt. Questions whether logotherapy was born in the camps, as claimed, or earlier. Despite the widespread impression that he spent considerable time in Auschwitz, Frankl was only there several days; he did spend time in the Kaufering III labor camp. also explores Frankl's ambiguous postwar role in Vienna; his success there has questionable aspects related to his associations with Kurt Waldheim and Jörg Haider's Freiheitliche Partei Österreichs. See responses to Pytell's article by Karlheinz Biller and Jay I. Levinson, as well as Pytell's reply, in the "Journal of Contemporary History" 37, 1 (2002). Biller defends Frankl for advocating reconciliation with Waldheim. Levinson also defends Frankl, as a victim of Nazism. Pytell replies, concluding that Frankl falsified his own medical role which bordered on collaboration, and also helped Austria to falsely memorialize its past.
Description / Table of Contents:
Biller, Karlheinz; Levinson, Jay I.. Viktor Frankl - opposing views. Ibid. 37,1 (2002) 105-110.
Description / Table of Contents:
Pytell, Timothy Edward. A response. Ibid. 110-113.
URL:
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