Editing Need (section)

{{Short description|Thing that is necessary for an organism to live a healthy life}}
{{Other uses|Need (disambiguation)|Needs (disambiguation)}}
{{use dmy dates|date=July 2024}}
{{use British English|date=July 2024}}
A '''need''' is a deficiency at a point of time and in a given context. Needs are distinguished from [[want]]s. In the case of a need, a deficiency causes a clear adverse outcome: a dysfunction or death. In other words, a need is something required for a safe, stable and healthy life (e.g. air, water, food, land, [[Shelter (building)|shelter]]) while a want is a desire, wish or aspiration. When needs or wants are backed by [[purchasing power]], they have the potential to become economic [[demand]]s. 

Basic needs such as air, water, food and protection from environmental dangers are necessary for an organism to live. In addition to [[basic needs]], humans also have needs of a social or societal nature such as the human need for [[Meaningful life|purpose]], to socialize, to belong to a [[family]] or [[community]] or other group. Needs can be objective and physical, such as the need for food, or psychical and subjective, such as the need for [[self-esteem]]. Understanding both kinds of "unmet needs" is improved by considering the social context of their not being fulfilled.<ref>British Association of Social Workers, [https://www.basw.co.uk/resources/unmet-need-care Unmet need for care], Final report July 2017, accessed 23 July 2022</ref>

Needs and wants are a matter of interest in, and form a common substrate for, the fields of [[philosophy]], [[biology]], [[psychology]], [[social science]], [[economics]], [[marketing]] and [[politics]].