Why do you need it?
January 7, 2010 (Thursday)
In 1943, Abraham Maslow published, “A Theory of Human Motivation,” in which he unveiled his “hierarchy of needs.” It was a chart in the shape of a pyramid, with the most primitive needs at the base and the most aesthetic needs at the top. See Wikipedia’s discussion that shows the chart.
The theory is that a person must meet the needs of a lower level before he can proceed to the next higher level. An example is that a person whose clothing has caught fire is not interested in attending a symphony performance. The progression of needs that must be met follow this order (each need must be met before going on to the next): survival, safety, social, self-esteem, self-improvement. A more accurate listing appears in the chart in Wikipedia.
What brings this to mind today is the impending extended freeze projected for Texas and much of the country. The chart demonstrates the fact that the person who has no heat in his house is not going to care much about watching the Texas-Alabama football game tonight. Of course, we would have known that fact if we had never heard of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, which means that the chart is probably very accurate, since it is only a picture of the way we behave as humans. Maslow’s discovery can be very useful in many ways.
There’s no point in gathering hungry people to hear a sermon, because the hierarchy of needs is being ignored. First, feed. Then, preach. It just makes sense. Survival first. It’s only natural.
All of which brings me to the point which made me think of this. For the next few days, a lot of people will be staying home, trying to stay warm, instead of roaming the roads sightseeing. Of course, you would have known that even if Abe Maslow had not told you.