Life comes from physical survival; but the good life comes from what we care about. Rollo May
Last night John and I caught up on the news after being away from the pundits for a week. It struck me that the world was looking to me like a vying among the forces for power, pleasure, and…meaning.
I just read some wonderful research about the value of playfulness, so I decided today to be a bit more chill and let these forces (for power, pleasure, and meaning) duke it out in a skit. Who will win the day? It might help us all to know what we are chasing and where it will lead.
My approach here is the same one I took many years ago in a book I wrote called Mindbending Chats with Great Thinkers. I’m not recommending the book in any way (Do not get it!), but it was helpful for me as I thought through different perspectives by becoming those people in my mind. See what you think.
Characters:
Narrator – A facilitator
Friedrich Nietzsche – Philosopher, dramatic, brooding, with a love for grand statements.
Sigmund Freud – Psychologist, analytical, slightly smug, occasionally slips into inappropriate metaphors.
Viktor Frankl – Holocaust survivor, psychiatrist, calm and profound, radiates quiet wisdom.
Scene: A Dimly Lit Café of the Mind
(The three thinkers sit at a round table, coffee cups in front of them. The Narrator stands to the side, setting the stage.)
Narrator:
“Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to an intellectual showdown of the ages! Three brilliant minds, three powerful theories, but only one can be crowned the ultimate motivator of human behavior and living the good life. Will it be the relentless Will to Power of Friedrich Nietzsche? The insatiable Will to Pleasure of Sigmund Freud? Or the life-giving Will to Meaning of Viktor Frankl? Grab your coffee, adjust your monocles, and let’s begin!”
(Turns to Nietzsche.)
Narrator:
“Friedrich, let’s start with you. What drives humanity? How do we ultimately get to that sought after place of living the good life?”
Nietzsche:
(Leaning forward dramatically)“It is simple! Man is driven by the Will to Power! The desire to dominate, to create, to impose one’s will upon the world. Strength, ambition, the Übermensch—these are what propel humanity forward! Without power, man is weak, pathetic, a mere herd animal!”
(He slams his fist on the table. Freud winces and adjusts his glasses.)
Freud:
“Oh, Friedrich. Always so aggressive. Tell me, have you considered therapy?”
(Turns to the audience.)
Freud:
“My dear friends, Nietzsche has it all wrong! What truly drives us is not power, but pleasure! Every decision we make, every action we take, is to avoid pain and seek enjoyment. The great force behind human behavior is the libido—our innate, unconscious desires. We are creatures of instinct, pleasure-seekers by nature!”
(He smirks and leans back in his chair, satisfied. Nietzsche rolls his eyes. Frankl calmly sips his coffee.)
Narrator:
(Raising an eyebrow)“Alright, we have power and pleasure on the table. But what about you, Viktor? What’s your take?”
Frankl:
(Smiling gently)“My dear friends, you are both missing something essential. Power and pleasure are fleeting. The real driver of human life is meaning—the search for purpose. Even in suffering, even in despair, man can endure anything if he finds meaning in it.”
(He pauses, his words settling in. Nietzsche scoffs. Freud shakes his head. The Narrator looks intrigued.)
Narrator:
“Hmm… Power, Pleasure, Meaning. It sounds like the setup for a sitcom. Let’s see how these theories hold up in everyday life!”
(The lights dim. The three thinkers are now in modern settings, reacting to different situations.)
Scene 2: The Workplace Conundrum
(A stressed-out employee, JANE, sits at her desk. She’s overwhelmed with work. Our philosophers take turns advising her.)
Nietzsche:
(Striding up like a life coach on caffeine)“Jane, seize the moment! Take charge! Crush your competition, assert your dominance, demand that raise! The weak suffer what they must, but the strong do what they will!”
Freud:
(Leaning in with a knowing smile)“Jane, why work so hard? Life is about pleasure! Take a long vacation. Find romance. Suppress nothing! Repressing desires leads to misery!”
Frankl:
(Gently placing a hand on Jane’s shoulder)“Jane, ask yourself: What is the deeper purpose of your work? Who benefits from it? Find meaning in what you do, and you will thrive, not just survive.”
(Jane ponders. The Narrator steps in.)
Narrator:
“Well, dear audience, who do you think gave the best advice? The power play, the pleasure cruise, or the path to meaning?”
(Audience reaction. Freud and Nietzsche look competitive, Frankl remains unbothered.)
Scene 3: The Tragedy Test
(A man, JOHN, sits in grief over a lost loved one. The thinkers give advice again.)
Nietzsche:
“John, suffering makes you stronger! Pain is the forge of greatness. Rise above it, become greater through it.”
Freud:
“My dear John, you must express your pain. Repressing it will only lead to neurosis! And maybe… you should consider dating again, yes?”
(John looks uncomfortable. Frankl steps forward.)
Frankl:
“John, suffering can be unbearable—unless you find meaning in it. Honor your loved one by living fully, by carrying their memory with purpose.”
(John nods, visibly moved. The Narrator steps in one last time.)
Final Verdict
Narrator:
“Well, folks, let’s wrap this up. Nietzsche’s Will to Power explains ambition, competition, and strength. Freud’s Will to Pleasure makes sense for indulgence and psychological comfort. But Frankl’s Will to Meaning—that explains how people survive hardship, find fulfillment, and live with purpose.”
(He pauses, turning to the audience.)
Narrator:
“So which one is best for a good life? Well, power without meaning is empty. Pleasure without purpose is shallow. But meaning? That keeps us going when power fails and pleasure fades. Maybe the best life isn’t about domination or indulgence—but about purpose. But hey, let’s hear what contemporary experts have to say."
Final Verdict – The Expert Panel Weighs In
(As the philosophers sit in their chairs, grumbling or nodding in satisfaction, the lights dim slightly. The Narrator steps forward dramatically.)
Narrator:
We cannot let this debate end without consulting some of the greatest "good life research minds" of our time. So, we’ve assembled an expert panel of contemporary psychologists and philosophers to weigh in. Who truly understands human motivation and the good life best. What will the experts say? Will it be Nietzsche, Freud, or Frankl?”
Expert Panelist 1: Martin Seligman (Founder of Positive Psychology)
(Adjusting his glasses and speaking with confidence)
“As the founder of Positive Psychology, I’ve spent years studying human flourishing. Nietzsche’s Will to Power? Too harsh. Freud’s Will to Pleasure? Too narrow. But Frankl’s Will to Meaning? Now that’s scientifically supported. Research shows that those with a strong sense of purpose live longer, have better mental health, and even recover faster from illnesses. Verdict: Frankl wins.”
(Nietzsche groans. Freud rolls his eyes but checks his reflection, still convinced of his appeal.)
Expert Panelist 2: Carol Dweck (Author of Mindset)
(Smiling warmly) “As a psychologist who studies motivation, I’d say Nietzsche got something right—growth and challenge matter. But without meaning, it’s just a power trip. And Freud… well, pleasure is nice, but it doesn’t lead to greatness. People who develop a growth mindset thrive because they see challenges as meaningful, not just pleasurable or powerful. So my vote? Frankl.”
(Frankl nods humbly. Nietzsche throws his hands up in frustration.)
Expert Panelist 3: Daniel Kahneman (Nobel Prize-winning Psychologist)
(With a thoughtful pause) “As a researcher in behavioral psychology, I can tell you humans are irrational creatures. We seek pleasure, yes, but we also pursue power—and often at the expense of both pleasure and meaning. However, the data is clear: People who find meaning in their work and relationships report higher life satisfaction than those who chase power or pleasure. So, reluctantly, I side with Frankl.”
(Freud leans back, crossing his arms. Nietzsche scowls. Frankl sips his coffee, still calm.)
Expert Panelist 4: Yuval Noah Harari (Philosopher and Historian, Author of Sapiens)
(Steepling his fingers) “As a historian, I’d say Nietzsche’s Will to Power explains much of history—wars, conquests, ambition. Freud’s Will to Pleasure explains marketing, consumerism, and, well, modern social media. But Frankl? He explains why humans survive, evolve, and endure. Purpose has kept societies together and has been the backbone of civilizations. Frankl’s Will to Meaning is the most sustainable path forward.”
(Freud shrugs. Nietzsche grumbles. Frankl remains serene.)
Final Vote – The Verdict is In!
(The Narrator steps forward as drumroll sound effects play.)
Narrator:
“So there you have it! The final panel tally: Four votes for Frankl, zero for Nietzsche, and zero for Freud.”
(Confetti falls. Frankl receives polite applause. Nietzsche stands up in outrage.)
Nietzsche:
(Dramatic as ever)“This is an outrage! I refuse to be defeated by sentimentality!”
Freud:
(Muttering)“I was certain at least one panelist would acknowledge the importance of pleasure… Disappointing.”
Frankl:
(Smiling warmly)“Well, my friends, the meaning of life is not something I have given anyone. It is something we must each discover for ourselves.”
(The stage fades to black. The audience is left to ponder their own motivations in life.)
Narrator:
“And so, dear audience, the final word is yours: What will you pursue, what will you chase for the good life? Will you chase power, pleasure… or meaning in your desire to live well? The choice, as always, is yours.”
As I, June, wrap this up, (thank you if you stuck with me) it does seem that we need some power, some autonomy to make our own decisions. AND we do need some pleasure. But when it comes down to it, meaning is going to make the biggest difference as we seek to live a good life together. And I’ve found that people generally derive the most meaning from what they’ve been able to contribute to the world in a service sort of way and people derive much meaning by the quality of relationships they have made. That is what the experts who study the people who are dying tell us - that they mostly consider what difference they made to the world and who they loved, as well as who loved them as they lie on their death beds. But more about that for a later day.
In the meantime, how might we journey together by understanding what drives us? And... is it truly leading us to The Good Life?
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