Abstract
In a recent article, members of the last generation of Critical theory have argued for a complete denaturalisation of the theory of needs. Against this, here I argued that human needs are achored in humans as natural beings, so a radical constructivism is missing the point of arguing with needs. We can admit that needs are flexible and culturally diverse without giving in to cultural relativism. Only a solid anthropological understanding of needs gives us the critical potential to distinguish a problematic sense of entitlement to wasting endless resources from truly human needs.
| Translated title of the contribution | the politics of needs. A polemic |
|---|---|
| Original language | German |
| Title of host publication | Praefaktisch |
| Subtitle of host publication | Ein Philosophie-Blog |
| Editors | Gottfried Schweiger |
| Publisher | University of Salzburg |
| Publication status | Published - 2023 |