Existential Void and the Meaning of Life: A Theoretical Essay on the Clinical Application of Logotherapy

Abstract

Recognizing that the human need to find purpose is fundamental to emotional and psychological well-being, Logotherapy has recently been integrated into contemporary therapeutic practices, especially in response to the growing challenges of modern society. The aim was to demonstrate, through a critical analysis, the clinical applications of Logotherapy in light of reflections on existential emptiness and the meaning of life. This is a theoretical essay, based on the theoretical framework that supports Existential Analysis, aligning these thoughts with the empirical findings evidenced in recent literature. To this end, the aim was to establish the primacy of content over form, following the reflective and interpretative nature of the essays. The analysis resulted in the construction of five thematic axes that discussed, based on a critical and conceptual analysis of the theme, how Logotherapy is capable of assisting individuals in the search for the realization of meaning, even in the most tragic or most suffering situations, understanding that suffering can be mitigated when there is a purpose or meaning to life, transforming existential pain into an opportunity for self-knowledge and reflection. It is observed that the present work, which did not limit itself to exhausting the theme, highlighted relevant aspects of this approach, demonstrating its applicability to the demands of contemporary society.