Prisoners of Our Thoughts, 2nd Edition

3Labyrinths of Meaning

I wish to stress that the true meaning of life is to be discovered in the world rather than within man or his own psyche, as though it were a closed system.²⁵

In an episode of the popular American television sitcom Frasier, the central character, Dr. Frasier Crane, played by Kelsey Grammer, is notified that he will receive a Lifetime Achievement Award for his work as a psychiatrist and radio talk show host. Prior to the award ceremonies, Frasier seeks the counsel of his psychiatric mentor because he feels anxious and ambivalent about receiving the award. More fundamentally, however, the session with his mentor reveals that Frasier feels empty in spite of all his professional success. At the award ceremonies, his acceptance ...