A need is a feeling or need that an organism has to survive. A need can be physical, psychic, or social, depending on the context. Need is a key concept in many disciplines and forms the foundation of many conversations. Psychologists define need as a psychological feature that arouses an organism into action or provides meaning for its existence. For example, in a situation where Tess needed a mother to care for her daughter, Carmen was not required to care for her.
Once the physiological needs are met, the next major need is safety. The human species desires security and predictability. These are fundamental human needs that can be fulfilled by society. Among the many different types of safety, financial security is a basic need for individuals and can be met by financial stability and social stability. Other needs include health and well-being. Another emotional need is belongingness, which refers to interpersonal relationships and the sense of connection with others.
The concept of need has evolved through different definitions, with some experts describing it as the goal of an individual’s life. Others have emphasized the importance of the non-instrumental sense of needs, such as teleological and tension needs. The first type reflects a dis-equilibrium between the present and desired state, such as when people undergo a heart bypass surgery to increase their quality of life. However, the latter implies explicit assessment of the medical procedure’s effectiveness.
Despite being a necessity, a desire may not be a need. A desire can be mistaken for a need, and vice versa. To determine whether a particular desire is a need, you should ask yourself if you can survive without it. If the answer is no, you have a desire. Therefore, a need is more important than a desire. A desire that you can live without is not a need.
While many people accept the concept of need, other thinkers disagree. The Medical Research Council defines a need as when a patient’s functioning falls below a minimum level or when a person is receiving a partially effective intervention. According to Hilary Putnam, the term “need” is a gross ethical concept. The term “need” also reflects the fact that a person’s capacity to benefit from health care is dependent on several factors. The ability to benefit from the treatment becomes more important, as the efficiency of the intervention is increased.
Maslow’s theory states that a person has five basic needs: physiological, safety, social, esteem, and self-actualization. At the base of the pyramid, a person’s basic needs include food, rest, warmth, and safety. At the top of the pyramid, a person’s needs include self-actualization. In essence, they want to meet their highest potential and become happy, healthy, and contented.
Using the verb need and its derived term “require” to describe something or a situation can be confusing. Although “need” suggests an urgent need, the word require expresses necessity more strongly. This usage is most common in formal contexts. However, successful experimentation requires careful attention to detail and careful consideration of all aspects of the situation. There are many other ways to use need and dare in sentences, and the two are interchangeable.