Lincoln and May: Destiny Visible in the Life of the Great Emancipator

The author presents the life of Abraham Lincoln as an example of Rollo May's philosophical conceptualization of destiny. May used the term destiny to refer to the talents and limitations fated to us. Moreover, he emphasized the responsibility to act with freedom to shape destiny. In overcoming hardship and achieving greatness, Lincoln challenged his destiny. Additionally, the author proposes that Lincoln's depression was precipitated by a moral crisis, relating to his personal responsibility in developing "self." Lincoln's observations about the causes of his depression are understood in terms of encounters with destiny. Not in spite of but because of his misery, he defined and fulfilled his destiny, thereby creating a life of meaning and significance. Thus, Lincoln is presented as a model for May's ideas about challenging life's limitations, developing talents, grappling with life's pain, and creating meaning.