Here are some themes to address during the lectures:
One. Discuss the link between happiness, success, and meaning and the futility of searching for happiness for its own sake.
Two. Discuss the idea of false necessity as an insidious development in which we become more and more dependent on things that become crutches and obscure us from meaning.
Three. Discuss the philosophical and religious problems raised from theodicy.
Four. Discuss nihilism and cowardice as the misguided response to suffering, cruelty, and evil.
Five. Discuss logotherapy as a way of acclimating to re-assimilation.
Six. Discuss the stages of imprisonment: shock, apathy, and depersonalization (acedia).
Seven. Discuss the character types that constitute "decent" and "indecent" people, as Frankl observes them.
Eight. Discuss the idea of freedom and how its definition becomes more clear in the context of Frankl's book.
Nine. Discuss the stages of re-assimilation
Ten. Discuss the advanced evolution of spirit: fearlessness from having clarity of meaning.
Some links from Night Overview.
Writing Assignments
In a 5-page research paper, explain the search for meaning in the face of the crisis that Frankl describes in his book. What are the consequences of both failing and succeeding in this search?
Your essay should have a salient introductory paragraph, which can be as long as a page; a thesis paragraph with at least four or five mapping components; no fewer than eight body paragraphs, each paragraph about a half page; and a brief conclusion.
Paragraph 1: Introduction
Paragraph 2: Thesis with 4 or 5 mapping components
Paragraphs 3-9: Elaborate on your mapping components
Paragraph 10: Conclusion in which you restate your thesis with rhetorical power
Final Page: Works Cited with no fewer than 4 sources
Successful papers will use personal examples to illustrate the major points. Be sure to have a Works Cited page with at least 4 sources.
Addendum:
One. The human condition is suffering, cruelty, injustice and these problems create theodicy for people of faith and the values of reciprocity for secular minds like Sam Harris. How do we have a moral system out of such reckless cruelty?
Two. Reaction to cruelty of the narcissist: bitterness, cowardice. The person surrenders to determinism and loses the will to live.
Three. The humbled servant orientation is empowered by suffering, embraces suffering and shows free will.
Four. Success and happiness are byproducts of a meaningful life. They are the results of healthy existentialism and logotherapy.
Five. A lot of principles in this book are amplified in The Geography of Bliss by Eric Weiner, especially the section on Moldova and Iceland in which we learn that people and culture choose their attitude.
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