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Needs and emotions

Helen
3 min readSep 17, 2024

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Needs and emotions are fundamental aspects of human existence. Throughout history, philosophers and psychologists have explored the connections between our needs, desires, and emotions. Understanding these connections can shed light on human behavior and help us navigate the complexities of our inner lives.

Historical Context:The study of needs and emotions can be traced back to ancient philosophy. Aristotle, one of the most influential figures in Western philosophy, believed that emotions were essential for human flourishing. He argued that emotions were a part of our rational faculties and that they could guide us towards virtuous behavior. This idea of balancing reason and emotion has been a central theme in many philosophical and psychological discussions throughout history.

Key Figures:In the field of psychology, Abraham Maslow’s hierarchy of needs has been a groundbreaking theory that has shaped our understanding of human behavior. Maslow proposed that human beings have a hierarchy of needs, ranging from basic physiological needs like food and shelter to higher-level needs like self-actualization and self-transcendence. His theory has had a profound impact on the field of psychology and has influenced the way we think about human motivation and fulfillment.

Another key figure in the field of needs and emotions is Carl Rogers, who developed person-centered therapy. Rogers believed that people have an innate drive towards…

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Helen
Helen

Written by Helen

I’m a board member for the Harvard Creative Writing Collective and an outreach associate director for Harvard Women in Computer Science.

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