The concept of man adopted by ABILE West originates from the doctrine of meaning developed by Viktor E. Frankl, the founder of Logotherapy and Existential Analysis.

Each person carries in himself – consciously or unconsciously - a concept of meaning, that is, who he is, can be and should be. Out of this tension between what is and should be, the person weaves his self-perception due to his free will to choose a meaning in order to continuously and sustainably implement values. This tension also urges him to take a stance towards himself, his fundamental value (dignity) and his already achieved self-esteem. The driving force enabling him to do so is the will to a self-chosen meaning. As a result, every person develops a self-concept of himself.

Each one discovers for himself what his meaning is by opening up to this tension between his actual and target state.  Out of the existential conditions of his life, every person discovers his “being as he is” and “being able to be different”. Living together, we find the courage to actually strive for meaning. Longing for happiness is the driving force of the real action. Human life can become happy if we while feeling or thinking will watch out for possibilities to be discovered every time all over again in order to experience them, to differentiate creatively and to decide in favour of a meaningful action.

The one who shuts himself off to the meaning is at risk of “living past one's own self”, to suppress one' own inner potentials. Prolonged suppression of the meaning potentials can lead in the worst case to mental and physical illnesses. Neglecting own potentials leads in any case to personal dissatisfaction and existential frustration. In the aftermath, feelings of meaninglessness can creep into one's existence, staying unnoticed at first but in the long run being able to endanger social relationships and one's health. “The opposing power of the spiritual person” (Frankl) enables us to resist the loss of meaning and feeling of self-esteem even under severe conditions and stress of everyday life, despite sufferings, guilt and death (“tradic triad” according to Frankl).

The search for and discovery of meaning become an unconditional necessity because every person is a spiritual being. Due to his freedom to take a stance, a person can distance from superfluous sufferings and false feelings of guilt. Acknowledging his own responsibility, every person gains the capability to manage his own life himself.