Getting a better understanding of the classical distinction between human needs and human wants is one of the keys to behaving and living well. This distinction is very important in helping people to understand what makes us all the same and what makes us all different. This knowledge of needs and wants can be very helpful in the pursuit of happiness.
Analysis of Real and Apparent Goods
Wants are acquired desires for things that appear to be good but which sometimes turn out to be bad for us; these things that wants aim for are thus known as “apparent goods.” Needs are natural desires that aim at goods that are truly good for people; these are known as real goods.
There is unlimited variation among human beings in terms of their wants. But it can be shown that every single human being has exactly the same needs. These needs are the basis of human rights and the goods they aim at are the foundation of human happiness.
Pursuing desires that make up people’s wants is part of being free -- as long as they don’t violate the rights of others. However, that doesn’t mean that pursuing everything a person wants is actually good for him or her. There are many things that people pursue that seem good to them at the time, but later can be seen as their downfall. These “apparent” goods could be recreational drugs, alcohol, excessive food, pleasure or comfort, the spouses of others, riches, fame, and power over others. Habitual desires for and pursuit of these apparent goods are regarded as vices (bad habits) and instead of comprising the pursuit of happiness, can actually frustrate it.
Analysis of Human Needs and Wants
The natural desires for the things that every human requires for the pursuit of happiness to be realistic, are called needs. Needs aim at real goods, the things that are truly good for every human being. People usually know needs when they see them, or when they are deprived of them. Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness are among mankind’s common needs. So are the biologically based needs for food, drink, sleep and protection from the environment. These latter needs people share with other animals.
Higher human needs include:
- association or affiliation (people are social animals)
- friendship
- love
- peace
- liberty
- honor
- dignity
- respect
- knowledge in all its forms
These are all real goods that are truly good for all people and transcend time, place and culture, although their expressions may change. Another important need is a decent share of external goods so that a person or family is not in a constant struggle for mere survival.
The Human Moral Imperative
This analysis of real and apparent goods, of needs and wants, led to the conclusion by Aristotle that we ought to desire those things that are truly good for us (real goods), for they are humankind’s natural needs. Wants, to the extent that they divert us from this self-evident moral imperative, are to be carefully weeded out. Man’s natural needs can be seen now as the basis of universal human rights and people ought to pursue their fulfillment to achieve happiness (defined by Aristotle as a whole life well lived).
Still, there are many wants, the desires that vary from one person to another, that are fine to pursue in moderation. Hobbies, games, different tastes in food, drink, fashion, etc., fall into the category of people’s personal preferences which are fine as long as they do not cause injury to themselves or others.
Pursuit of the Good Life
The analysis of real vs. apparent goods and the distinction between human needs and wants shows people what the good life consists of and how they ought to pursue it in the form of things that are truly good for everyone. Another name for the good life is happiness. When a person understands what leads toward happiness and what leads away from it, the path to the good life becomes clear.
Sources:
Nicomachean Ethics, Aristotle
Aristotle for Everybody, Mortimer J. Adler
Robert McKelvie - My experience in business and pursuit of learning over the years enables me to share some of my knowledge via the web.
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