Need /  Resources Consumption Hierarchy

Requirements of Resources for our different needs Vs. it’s Impact on our Life

Let us first understand the concepts of our different needs:

Natural Needs: 

Nature has given desires like hunger, thirst, the need to cover their body, protect themselves from climatic changes by staying in a shelter, etc., to all human beings. These desires which are called Natural Need like Food, clothing, shelter, is important to be fulfilled, as it is essential for survival. Nature has given resources to fulfill the needs of all humans across the globe.

Natural needs of Food, Clothing & Housing are universally the same. We are not only the citizens of the country but also of earth. It is the duty of leaders of the world to provide these basic amenities to their citizens, so that there is no disparity and unrest amongst the lower economic class of people. The cost of providing these amenities to an individual is very nominal/low and the impact of getting these needs fulfilled will have a great impact on that individual and simultaneously in the less budget, the scale or number of beneficiaries is very large.

Basic Needs:

Education for every child and Health for every individual is actually the primary right of every citizen of any country. These needs include fulfillment of Education and Health aspects in our life along with Natural needs. Basic needs are to be fulfilled only after satisfying Natural needs.

One shall fulfill Basic needs like Education & Health care as it is also a major factor and the budget o fulfill these needs might be more than the natural need but the impact is less as compared to the natural need. It is their right, but not given priority by the society/country.

Comfort Needs:

Comfort needs are those aspects/ things which we add to our lifestyle e.g. Air-conditioner, Hot water Geysers, and are different in everyone’s life.  Sometimes, one’s Comfort need can be Luxury for another person. Each family tries to fulfill the comfort needs of their own family.  Here, the leaders or authorities shall fulfill everyone’s comfort need and its budget is more than a basic need but the impact is less as compared to a basic need. While fulfilling comfort needs, we shall always keep in mind that, we shall not fulfill these needs at the cost of the natural needs of others.

 Luxury Needs:

Luxury needs are neither essential nor necessary. They are simple things we want, such as to buy an expensive mobile/high-end computer/  high brand & luxurious cars etc. which may not be necessary for us but are purchased as they represent status & power or sometimes due to peer pressure. This changes our mind which seeks to have more desires.  But, the luxury needs neither benefits an individual nor have any impact on their life( As  mentioned in figure 2)

Debauchery Needs:  

An extreme behavior,  resulting in high expenses & extreme luxuries, to enjoy all that things which are morally/physically/culturally/financially objectionable in the society. We lead towards debauchery when we are unable to control and seek more pleasure in fulfilling our luxurious wants. Hence, one shall stop at or before luxury needs.  We can observe in Figure 2 that, the budget to fulfill debauchery needs is high and its impact is negative in life.    

Greed: 

Greed is when people desire to accumulate limitless amounts of something, such as food or money etc., especially if you try to acquire more than you need or more than your fair share, sometimes unaware of being greedy. Greed hinders the culture and is harmful to our whole society because Greed is an infinite desire. This is an unnatural need that is dangerous when one lacks the discipline to rein in one‘s mind and falls prey to the instant gratification of the senses and mind.

 Greed is an extreme case wherein  the person involved has a highly  negative impact on life ( the impact(arrow) turn opposite and in red, as mentioned in figure 2).

Message :

Natural needs cost low, but its impact is highest whereas Greed had no limit in terms of money and its impact is lowest or rather negative.

A.    To understand the levels of helping others

B.     To realize our own needs which need to be fulfilled.

C.   To identify needs which should be focused on by the Authorities

For instance, If one satisfies their basic & natural needs, they will want to fulfill their comfort/luxury needs, and once those are fulfilled, one should look to fulfill their nearest family’s basic needs.  This will create an  Impact that is high on the lives of people instead of helping in Comfort or Luxury needs. However, if we treat the whole world as our family, then we should dutifully work towards taking the responsibility to ensure that everyone’s natural/basic need is fulfilled.