Variation dyn.pr. Expediency ↔ Need

that which is required

Needs are always based upon a purpose. It is often assumed that Need describes something absolutely required in an objective sense. But Need is really a subjective judgment of what is lacking to fulfill a requirement. To illustrate this, we might consider the statement, "We all need food and water." This statement seems to make sense, but is not actually correct. In truth, we only need food and water if we want to live. For a paralyzed patient who wishes to be allowed to die, the last thing he Needs is food and water. Clearly, need depends upon what one subjectively desires. That which is required to fulfill that desire is the subjective Need.

syn. subjective necessity, urge, demand, imperative