What would life be like if we couldn’t enjoy an invigorating nature hike or art or music? Some experiences are valid and meaningful even though they are utterly personal, and the community doesn’t gain anything by it. (The Doctor and the Soul, p. 91-92)
In this section of the book Frankl is referring to “experiential values,” which includes all the joy and richness life has to offer. Generally, Frankl devotes much more space in his writings to what he calls “attitudinal values,” since at those times you can choose your attitude despite your inability to avoid the actual suffering.
These two classifications of pain and pleasure pertain to the individual, while “creative values” pertain to the community.
Is it true that experiential values only concern the individual? Frankl admits that there are a number of experiential values in which the community takes part, such as comradeship or solidarity.
Yet, I wonder if we are ever alone even in the most personal experience. When you participate with someone you take away their alone-ness. This allows them to live with their suffering or alternatively to get more pleasure out of their celebrating. I enjoy hiking in nature but I don’t like to go by myself. I enjoy playing music more when I playing together with other people.
On the other hand, when we participate, we are never experiencing the same feelings as the other person. We are only journeying with them so that they don’t need to feel those most personal feelings in a vacuum.
And because these feelings are utterly personal, there are times when other people unwittingly create a barrier between the individual and direct contact with nature or music and the emotions touched thereby. At those times one prefers to experience his or her feelings in solitude.