Reasonable Needs

For two thousand years people of many belief systems have looked forward to a future, predicted by various prophets, in which all human needs and potential can be satisfied. That can not occur before the entire world accepts the purpose of any social organisation, its government and law, is to help to satisfy the reasonable needs and potential of the people that comprise it; and consciously strives to satisfy that purpose. All humans have a range of predictable needs that must be satisfied to maintain a sense of physical and psychological balance and happiness. Any society or social organism is out of balance to the extent that the reasonable needs of its members are unsatisfied. Every member of a society is entitled to have these reasonable needs satisfied through mutual service; and the conduct of every member of a society or organisation and the code of conduct of every social organisation should reflect these social rights and obligations. Human needs can be organised into categories and blend into each other in approximate order of priority; but can vary according to culture and circumstances. Physiological Every human needs clean air, nutritious food, unpolluted water and shelter from weather extremes to regulate and maintain a stable internal physiological environment for survival and reasonable health. Safety and security Every human needs to be a member of a social organization that enhances their ability to survive; the benefit of collective knowledge via education; a code of appropriate conduct; protection from internal and external predators and threats; essential survival skills and avoidance of unnecessary pain, suffering, vulnerabilities, dependencies and fears. Social bonds and affection Every human needs to feel they belong to a family or social group with whom they can share mutual identity, care, security, friendship, affection, love, loyalty, intimacy and concern for each other’s reasonable needs and human potential. The effect of active hormones and resulting desire for sex or intimacy often permeates and influences every other level of need. All humans need caring partners, education, experimentation and satisfaction of their sexual needs, without unintended consequences, when they become sexually active. A society should encourage heterosexual sex between committed partners of similar age and values for the natural function of procreation; but tolerate any private relationship or practice between consenting sexually active people that is not physically or psychological harmful to the individuals, group or society. Self respect and community respect Every human needs dignity; to feel self-confident, competent, worthy and valued by others. To be valued and respected by others and to feel self-confident, competent and worthy of self-respect, people need some positive feedback to confirm they are contributing to the purpose of their social group within reasonable constraints of their age, experience, knowledge, skills and abilities. Growth and environmental Every human needs to become the best person they can be in terms of family, community or own values; to acquire and develop their knowledge, skills, and abilities; to pursue a vocation that engages their interest; to fulfil their reasonable potential; enhance their social, material or natural environment and find happiness, fun, pleasure or contentment in physiological and psychological balance. Spiritual and Self transcendence Every human needs an adequate explanation of the phenomenon of life and the universe as a framework for their belief system and foundation for appropriate social conduct. They need an explanation that relates socially appropriate conduct to the purpose of satisfying human needs and potential and through cooperation and mutual service. We all need an explanation of the hopes, dreams and predictions of a future world that have driven humanity over many centuries; which makes sense of the competition and conflicts that have brought us to the cusp of a future world that can satisfy all our needs and potential. We all need a belief system that values the continuity and quality of all current and future life as variations of one’s own sense of being “me” behind other eyes; and prepares us for the certainty of personal death without fear. We need a belief system that conveys the understanding that the future we create will be enjoyed or endured by the same sense of being “me” in different bodies. Understanding Conflict Understanding human needs and conflict is the first step in dealing with conflict effectively. Conflict may stem from a variety of causes, but all are related to failure to satisfy reasonable human needs. Common causes include: Perceived threats to safety and security. Differences in priority of needs. Poor awareness of one’s own changing needs or the changing needs of others. Poor communication that leads to unclear expectations of others. Unresolved disagreement over needs that escalates due to frustration and anger. Perceived breach of trust leading to a sense of betrayal. Underlying physiological and psychological stress. Absence of social bonding. Absence of mutual respect. Impaired growth and fulfilment of potential. An imbalance of power.