Table 3.2 Max-Neef’s matrix of fundamental human needs
Human needs Being
Having
Doing
Interacting
Subsistence
Physical health,
mental health,
equilibrium
Food, shelter,
work
Feed,
procreate, rest,
work
Living
environment,
social setting
Protection
Care, adaptability,
autonomy,
solidarity
Insurance systems,
savings, health
systems, rights,
family
Co-operate,
prevent, plan,
cure, help
Living space,
social
environment,
dwelling
Affection
Self-esteem,
tolerance,
generosity,
passion,
sensuality, sense
of humour
Friendships,
family,
partnerships,
relationships with
nature
Make love,
express
emotions,
share, take
care of,
cultivate,
appreciate
Privacy,
intimacy, home,
spaces of
togetherness
Understanding Critical
conscience,
receptiveness,
curiosity,
astonishment,
discipline,
rationality
Literature,
teachers, method,
educational
policies,
communication
policies
Investigate,
study,
experiment,
educate,
analyse,
meditate
Settings of
formative
interaction,
schools,
universities,
communities,
family
Participation
Receptiveness,
willingness,
determination,
dedication,
respect, sense of
humour
Rights,
responsibilities,
duties, privileges,
work
Become
affiliated,
co-operate,
propose, share,
obey, interact
Settings of
participative
interaction,
parties,
communities,
neighbourhoods
Leisure
Curiosity,
imagination,
recklessness,
tranquility,
sensuality
Games,
spectacles, clubs,
parties, peace of
mind
Dream, brood,
remember,
relax, have
fun, play
Privacy,
intimacy, free
time,
surroundings,
landscapes
Creation
Passion,
determination,
intuition,
imagination,
rationality,
inventiveness
Abilities, skills,
method, work
Work, invent,
build, design,
compose,
interpret
Productive and
feedback
settings,
audiences, space
and time for
expression
Identity
Sense of
belonging,
consistency,
differentiation,
self-esteem,
assertiveness
Symbols, habits,
customs, values,
norms, language,
religions,
reference groups,
sexuality,
historical memory,
work
Commit
oneself,
integrate
oneself, get to
know oneself,
actualize
oneself
Social rhythms,
everyday
settings, settings
which one
belongs to,
maturation stages
(continued)
64
3 Why the Mainstream Economic Paradigm Cannot Inform …
Human needs Being
Having
Doing
Interacting
Subsistence
Physical health,
mental health,
equilibrium
Food, shelter,
work
Feed,
procreate, rest,
work
Living
environment,
social setting
Protection
Care, adaptability,
autonomy,
solidarity
Insurance systems,
savings, health
systems, rights,
family
Co-operate,
prevent, plan,
cure, help
Living space,
social
environment,
dwelling
Affection
Self-esteem,
tolerance,
generosity,
passion,
sensuality, sense
of humour
Friendships,
family,
partnerships,
relationships with
nature
Make love,
express
emotions,
share, take
care of,
cultivate,
appreciate
Privacy,
intimacy, home,
spaces of
togetherness
Understanding Critical
conscience,
receptiveness,
curiosity,
astonishment,
discipline,
rationality
Literature,
teachers, method,
educational
policies,
communication
policies
Investigate,
study,
experiment,
educate,
analyse,
meditate
Settings of
formative
interaction,
schools,
universities,
communities,
family
Participation
Receptiveness,
willingness,
determination,
dedication,
respect, sense of
humour
Rights,
responsibilities,
duties, privileges,
work
Become
affiliated,
co-operate,
propose, share,
obey, interact
Settings of
participative
interaction,
parties,
communities,
neighbourhoods
Leisure
Curiosity,
imagination,
recklessness,
tranquility,
sensuality
Games,
spectacles, clubs,
parties, peace of
mind
Dream, brood,
remember,
relax, have
fun, play
Privacy,
intimacy, free
time,
surroundings,
landscapes
Creation
Passion,
determination,
intuition,
imagination,
rationality,
inventiveness
Abilities, skills,
method, work
Work, invent,
build, design,
compose,
interpret
Productive and
feedback
settings,
audiences, space
and time for
expression
Identity
Sense of
belonging,
consistency,
differentiation,
self-esteem,
assertiveness
Symbols, habits,
customs, values,
norms, language,
religions,
reference groups,
sexuality,
historical memory,
work
Commit
oneself,
integrate
oneself, get to
know oneself,
actualize
oneself
Social rhythms,
everyday
settings, settings
which one
belongs to,
maturation stages
(continued)
64
3 Why the Mainstream Economic Paradigm Cannot Inform …