Frankl's central thesis is that the primary human drive is not pleasure, as Freud suggested, but the pursuit of meaning. He argues that even in the most brutal conditions, individuals can find purpose and meaning, which can help them endure and overcome suffering. This idea is illustrated through his own experiences and those of his fellow prisoners.

Frankl introduces logotherapy, a form of existential analysis that focuses on a will to meaning as opposed to a will to power or pleasure. This therapeutic approach helps individuals find meaning in their lives, particularly through work, love, and suffering. It emphasizes the importance of personal responsibility and the ability to choose one's attitude in any given set of circumstances.

The book highlights the incredible resilience of the human spirit. Frankl's observations in the concentration camps reveal that those who could find meaning in their suffering were more likely to survive. This theme underscores the power of hope, love, and inner freedom, even in the face of extreme adversity.