Existential fears—the dread of meaninglessness, death, and suffering—are universal human experiences. Both Viktor Frankl, a 20th-century psychologist and Holocaust survivor, and St. Augustine, a 4th-century theologian and philosopher, offer profound insights into confronting these fears. Their perspectives, while rooted in different historical and cultural contexts, converge in affirming that meaning and ultimate purpose transcend life's most harrowing challenges.

The Nature of Existential Fears

Existential fears stem from the human confrontation with finitude. Death looms as the inevitable conclusion of life, while suffering and uncertainty challenge one's understanding of purpose. Such fears often lead to despair unless anchored in a deeper framework of meaning.

Frankl, in his seminal work Man’s Search for Meaning, posits that humans are primarily motivated by the "will to meaning." In his harrowing experience in Nazi concentration camps, he observed that those who endured suffering most resiliently often found meaning in their plight. Similarly, St. Augustine, in Confessions, describes a restless yearning for truth and fulfillment that only God can satisfy: "Our hearts are restless until they rest in You" (Confessions 1.1). Augustine identifies this restlessness as a fundamental characteristic of the human soul's search for transcendence.

Viktor Frankl: Meaning Through Suffering

Frankl argues that suffering, while painful, can be transformative if imbued with meaning. He recounts how prisoners who found a sense of purpose—whether through faith, love, or future-oriented goals—were better equipped to endure the horrors of the Holocaust. Frankl states:

"In some ways, suffering ceases to be suffering at the moment it finds a meaning, such as the meaning of a sacrifice" (Man’s Search for Meaning, 1946).

This principle has therapeutic implications, as evidenced by Frankl's development of logotherapy, a psychotherapeutic approach that helps individuals discover meaning in their lives. Frankl's assertion resonates with the Christian theology of redemptive suffering, which sees trials as opportunities to participate in Christ’s redemptive work.

St. Augustine: Rest in Eternal Truth

For St. Augustine, existential fears find their resolution in God. Augustine’s personal narrative in Confessions is one of existential searching—through hedonism, philosophy, and heresy—until he discovers that true peace lies in the eternal. Augustine’s engagement with death, especially in the death of his mother, St. Monica, reflects his conviction that human suffering and mortality are meaningful within the context of divine providence.

"Thou hast made us for Thyself, and our hearts are restless until they rest in Thee" (Confessions 1.1).

This longing for God aligns with Frankl’s "will to meaning," though Augustine anchors this drive explicitly in the eternal. Unlike Frankl’s more human-centered approach, Augustine’s framework insists that true existential resolution is found only in God, not in human constructions of meaning.

Overcoming Fear: Common Themes

Transcendence

Both thinkers emphasize that overcoming existential fears requires transcending oneself. Frankl calls this self-transcendence, urging individuals to look beyond their immediate experiences to find meaning in service, love, or faith. Augustine similarly advocates for transcending temporal concerns to focus on eternal truths.

Responsibility and Freedom

Frankl’s philosophy stresses the freedom of choice even in the most constrained circumstances: “Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms—to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances” (Man’s Search for Meaning). Augustine echoes this by emphasizing human agency in choosing to seek God amidst life’s trials.

The Role of Love

For both Frankl and Augustine, love plays a pivotal role. Frankl describes love as the ultimate goal and meaning of life, writing: “The salvation of man is through love and in love.” Augustine similarly identifies love of God as the highest calling and the source of ultimate peace.

Application to Modern Life

In a world marked by anxiety, nihilism, and disconnection, the insights of Frankl and Augustine provide a framework for addressing existential fears:

1. Meaning Through Service: Modern therapies inspired by Frankl’s logotherapy encourage individuals to find meaning in relationships, work, and creative pursuits.
2. Faith as Anchor: For believers, Augustine’s emphasis on divine providence offers solace in an age of uncertainty, redirecting the restless human heart toward God.
3. Community and Connection: Both thinkers highlight the importance of relationships. Frankl underscores the sustaining power of love, while Augustine emphasizes the communion of saints and the Church as sources of spiritual support.

Conclusion

Viktor Frankl and St. Augustine, though separated by centuries, converge in offering hope to those grappling with existential fears. Frankl’s pragmatic emphasis on the "will to meaning" complements Augustine’s theological vision of rest in God. Together, they illuminate a path forward: meaning and transcendence are not only possible but necessary for confronting the darkest aspects of human existence.

In a time when existential anxieties are pervasive, their insights remain profoundly relevant. As Frankl notes, “When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves.” Augustine would add that this change finds its fulfillment in the eternal embrace of God.

References

1. Frankl, Viktor E. Man’s Search for Meaning. Beacon Press, 1946.
2. Augustine, St. Confessions. Translated by Henry Chadwick, Oxford University Press, 1991.
3. Pattison, Stephen. "Meaning in Suffering: Insights from Viktor Frankl." Journal of Religious Ethics, vol. 15, no. 3, 1987, pp. 82-94.
4. O’Donnell, James J. Augustine: A New Biography. HarperCollins, 2005.