Needs and Maslows

Human needs are the type of thing that is a bit hard to pin down to any particular definition. To define something like this, one must first understand what human beings as a species actually are and how they function in society. Humans came from primates as most people know, but then humans became more intelligent than the rest of the primates. We started developing culture and language after we developed our intelligence. This led us into being able to build tools for ourselves in order to increase our ability to survive on planet earth.

At this point we had tools, but we also needed to have things like food and shelter that were essential for our survival. This led us to develop into a species which is very dependent on those who are around us in order to survive. We developed the ability to communicate with each other as well, so it was easier for all of us to work together towards one common goal.

This is a very important thing to note about humans. We are social animals, meaning that we need other people around us in order to be happy and healthy. Without others to interact with, our species would have never survived this long.

This is something that has been ingrained in us as a species over many years. We are dependent on one another for survival, and this has led to the current society we live in today.

One of the main things that humans need is food. Food helps us to survive and to be healthy, so this has led humanity to develop agriculture over vast amounts of time. We grow crops for ourselves that we can eat in order to keep our bodies working properly.

This is one of the more basic things that humans need. We also need to have shelter, which we get by building houses and living in them. This allows us warmth from cold weather outside as well as protection from other animals who would like to kill us.

Humans need to learn. Whether it be through experience or education, humans require the ability to assimilate information in order for them to progress.

Humans also need the freedom to do what they desire. If humans are not free, then they will likely be unhappy and their quality of life will suffer.

Humans also need safety and security. Humans fear death, pain, difficulty and anxiety. Without the security of a safe place to live and food on their table, humans will be unhappy.

Humans also need love. Love is the most powerful emotion known to humans and without it in their lives, humans tend to be unfulfilled.

Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs is a theory in psychology, proposed by Abraham Maslow in his 1943 paper A Theory of Human Motivation. It consists of five levels that describe the stages humans move through as they satisfy their needs.

M0: Physiological needs. These are the most basic, vital health and survival needs required to keep the human body functioning properly. Examples include breathing, water/nutrition, shelter from extreme temperatures or environments.

M1: Safety needs. This level emerges when the threat of death or severe injury are eliminated (or reduced to acceptable levels) and physical safety is ensured by stable societies. Societies where basic human rights, such as freedom from oppression and exploitation, are absent generally do not allow their citizens to progress beyond this stage. Fear is an important factor in remaining at this level.

M2: Love/belonging and esteem needs. This level emerges when the physiological and safety needs are met.

M3: Self-esteem needs. This level emerges when the individual feels accepted, respected and appreciated by others.

M4: Self-actualization needs. This level emerges when the individual is able to fulfill his or her potentialities and decide for him/herself what values are important. Maslow describes this stage as consisting of peak experiences and satori.

I would agree with Maslow's theory that humans are always striving for further levels of comfort and self-actualization. Since we have not yet reached the top level, I don't think anyone can argue against this principle.

I disagree with Maslow's assertion that these higher levels cannot be reached until the lower levels are satisfied. For example, I think it is possible for an individual to have their basic needs met and then choose to devote themselves to a cause greater than themselves.

I think Maslow's Hierarchy is a bit simplistic for the complexity of human nature. While I agree that there are levels and they do exist, I don't think it would work well as an organizational tool.

I would prefer a more nuanced approach, similar to the one proposed by Abraham Maslow. It might look something like this:

Physiological needs: The most basic need for human survival is food and water. If an individual does not have this, they will die. Beyond that, humans require shelter from the elements to keep their body temperature regulated.

Safety needs: Humans also need to feel physically secure. If an individual feels threatened, their mental health will be compromised.

I think that the Maslow's hierarchy is a good model of how humans are, but it is not absolute by any means. There are many other factors in human psychology which determine why people act as they do. For example, there may be another factor which I will call 'happiness'. Happiness could take precedence over all these lower tier needs and desires for survival.

The happiness factor could be the reason why some people act in certain ways that are harmful to their physical health. For example, excessive drug use is a way of escaping reality and becoming more happy. It can also lead to death, which then would cause unhappiness as well.

Another factor could be the desire to create, which may take precedence over survival. This is why people like artists and musicians tend to have very little money but are happy with their lives.

In addition, there can be other factors which are not included in the Maslow's hierarchy. There is no mention of love for example, but this could take precedence over all these lower tier needs and desires as well.

So, it is not a rigid set of rules. People are not always bound to act or behave in particular ways because they have an instinct to do so. There can be other factors at work which give people the freedom to break these rules.