Human Needs And Pleasures

Necessities are most commonly identified as the basic needs required to maintain; comforts are those additives to one’s day which allow it to be more relaxing or casual, and luxuries are those unnecessary pleasures we aspire for and often abuse to excess. On top of how they are perceived, the different items that fall within these three categories have evolved throughout time as well. Items once considered new luxuries in western culture eventually became common comforts, some of which are popularly referred to as necessities. We have seen this transition with the car radio, television, computer and the internet. In this essay, I will analyze the value we place on these terms in western society and the way it has changed through out time.

Necessity is most commonly defined as something indispensable. These items tend to be considered in most societies to be food, water and shelter. In America, it was once deemed necessary to have a horse distant travel. This was before the invention of the automobile. Today, in America, if you have a computer, you could very well not ever need to leave your house. Some might say, this makes a computer a household necessity. This ideal is negated by the number of impoverished people all over the world who make due without these items, and who often live on a dollar a day. Necessity is also an aspect of American criminal law. If one can prove they committed a crime due to necessity they can be granted immunity from conviction.

Comforts are most commonly defined as things that make you feel at ease. Items that fall into this category could be anything from a couch to a cigarette depending on one’s particular vices. Many people have gone so far as to classify illegal and prescription drugs as personal comforts; all of which once a dependency is formed can turn into a necessary substance that the body chemically can’t do without. These destructive and addictive vices have changed through time as well. Every known drug from marijuana to crystal methane has been noted as some social groups comforting past time. Comforts are also stereotyped by the media. The images of ocean sand and palm trees bring comforting memories to many people, so they are often used to market products, an example of this can been seen used by the Corona beer company.

Luxuries are described as those things that are inessential but used to instil pleasure and comfort in one’s life. As inessential as luxuries are often described, the truth is, without their existence, many would feel as though they have nothing great for which to aspire. This concept is more directly touched upon with the quote by Robert Browning, a man’s reach should exceed his grasp. Luxuries are also used as symbols of status to symbolize social standing and their buying power.

In sum, the three concepts of luxury, comforts, and necessities are intertwined and no different from the relationships between the past present and future. The irony is that they are all dependant time as well. And like the present that rules over all, necessity is the dominant factor of these categories. People will always deem their bare necessities as the most important priority.

Kate Gardens is a custom essay writing expert writer and UK customers support consultant at Customessays.co.uk. Get more details for biology dissertation writing.

Kate Gardens is a custom essay writing expert writer and UK customers support consultant at Customessays.co.uk. Get more details for business essay writing and find more tips for business dissertation writing.