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Broad, subjective, relative: the surprising folk concept of basic needs.
Thomas Pölzler1, Tobu Tomabechi2, Ivar R Hannikainen3
1Department of Philosophy, University of Graz, Attemsgasse 25/II, 8010 Graz, Austria.
Philosophical Studies
|January 25, 2024
Summary
Ordinary people consider basic needs to include necessities for flourishing, not just survival. They also view basic needs as subjective and relative, impacting global justice and human rights discussions.
Area of Science:
- Philosophy
- Social Psychology
- Empirical Ethics
Background:
- Normative theories often invoke 'basic needs' for global justice, human rights, and sustainable development.
- Defining 'basic needs' remains a challenge in philosophical discourse.
Purpose of the Study:
- To empirically investigate ordinary English speakers' intuitions about the concept of basic needs.
- To inform philosophical analyses by gathering evidence on the features of basic needs.
Main Methods:
- Defended an empirical approach to analyzing the concept of basic needs.
- Conducted three preregistered empirical studies to assess lay intuitions.
- Gathered evidence on the perceived features of basic needs.
Main Results:
- Ordinary speakers apply 'basic needs' to necessities for flourishing, not just minimal decency.
- Most speakers attribute subjectivity to the concept of basic needs.
- Most speakers attribute relativity to the concept of basic needs.
Conclusions:
- Findings challenge purely objective or absolute definitions of basic needs.
- Results suggest basic needs are understood as subjective and relative, impacting their application in normative theories.
- Empirical insights are crucial for refining philosophical concepts like basic needs.
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