In modern English, the word need means a deficiency that needs to be filled (such as water or food). It is distinct from want, which indicates a desire or wish that can not be met. The concept of need is fundamental to many areas, including philosophy, biology, psychology, sociology, political science and economics. The topic has been explored by theorists such as Abraham Maslow, who defined a hierarchy of human needs in his motivational theory. It is also central to the field of capability approaches, advocated by people such as Amartya Sen and Martha Nussbaum.
The idea that a person has certain core personal needs and that they are universal is supported by various theories of personality development, especially those of Erikson and Piaget. Generally, these theories define a developmental sequence from infancy to adulthood. The progression through these stages is based on an individual’s experiences and perceptions of their environment. Some scholars believe that the basic emotional needs of a person are stable throughout life, while others argue that the level of satisfaction of these needs changes over time.
Another meaning of need involves the ability to meet an objective deficiency: for example, a person may need a particular type of medication to improve their mood, or they might need a specific job to support themselves and their family. People also have needs that they can meet in a social context, such as the need to feel connected with other people and to love them. This can be considered a higher need than mere self-interest, as it is important for psychological health and well-being.
A need may be met in a variety of ways, including buying goods and services, working, donating money and volunteering. A need may be a result of an event or a consequence of the actions of another person, and it may be temporary or permanent. People may also have needs that change over time, such as the need for more sleep or a desire to be fitter.
Unlike the nouns a car, a package and a bicycle, which require an article, most other nouns do not need it. The exceptions are words that refer to unique phenomena: “a lion” and “the rain.” Similarly, an article is not used with uncountable nouns, such as names of countries and cities.
When an article is needed, it must be either the definite or indefinite form. The definite article (“the”) is used when the noun is known to the hearer or reader, such as a lion or the rain. It is not used with uncountable nouns, however, which are general concepts that cannot be identified: joy or patience. See Practical English Usage by Michael Swan for more detailed information on articles.