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these terms meantheoretically, we mayhave different viewpoints aboutthem(Miller
& Whitehead 1996:23).
Froma psychodynamic point ofviewthere are no questions dealing with the past life
ofthe patient/client which may revealsomething aboutbislherpast struggles, pos­
SIble influences ofotherpersonslikethe motherand/or "significant other." No at­
temptis madeto findout ofthere is any socio-cultural and/orhistorical-political in­
fluences that mayplayarole in a patient's/client's decision to answer the PIL's
questions in a specific way.
Although the questions basicallyfocus on the patient's/client's purpose in life, it is
doubtful ifthe purposeofa person's life can be separatedfrom the socio-economic,
'socio-cultural
and historical-political environment in whichhe/she findshimself/her-
self. However, the logotherapeutic beliefthat man can transcendhis environmental
circumstances makesthis criticalremark, at least fromtheir perspective, not really
relevant.
The important role ofthe environment that constantly and dynamically influenced
anypersonis absentin this test. Behaviorists certainly will criticizethe test. How­
ever, the emphasis on the importance ofthe person's will and his/her choices is
something that is a pluspoint for those moving in cognitive personologist circles.
The PIL at least tries to "sincerely"identify the "exact" state ofmindofthe patient/
clientin orderto assisthim/her via logotherapeutic intervention and/ortreatment.
A remarkable thingto see is the constantuse ofthe word "I" (the "me-part ofthe
client/patient) in the 20 questions ofpart A This is highly subjective and reflectsthe
idea that the patient/client will and mustknow himself7herselfvery well in order to
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