Need

Hegel (Logic of the Concept, Idea of Life)

Need is the first moment of the **life process** (Ch. 19.2) and the manifestation of **"being-for-self"** as a moment of self-relation (Ch. 19.1). It is the **felt lack** (e.g., hunger, thirst), "self-relation through negation." Need is not merely mechanical (like an empty tank), but is felt by the living system as **suffering from lack**. It is negative (something is missing) and at the same time positive (the organism knows what it lacks). **Drive** springs from need (Ch. 19.2, 19.8).

Origin

Need as lack (Plato, Symposium). Hegel (self-relation as negation).

In Hegel

Enz. §218 (Life); §427 (Spirit)

Cross-references

Drive · Idea of Life · Selbsterhaltung · S³ Structure · Being-for-Self

Im buch

Ch. 19.1, 19.2, 19.8, 19.10

In der realphilosophie

PR §§189–195 — the multiplication of needs in civil society, and with it the mutual dependence of all. Cf. [[hegel-recht:5]].