Ágnes Heller’s Theory of Need Is a Vital Political Tool
Building on the work of Karl Marx, Hungarian philosopher Ágnes Heller developed a framework for distinguishing between truly essential needs and artificial ones. Her ideas are more important than ever in the face of a global ecological crisis.
Hungarian philosopher Ágnes Heller arrives at the Élysée Palace in Paris, France, on May 21, 2019. (Ludovic Marin / AFP via Getty Images)
How many of the goods that you own would you consider indispensable? And how many are unnecessary? This is not merely a personal question; it is a political one.
Goods are made of stuff taken from nature. With the environmental crisis, raw materials are increasingly scarce, and pollution resulting from the production process leads to disastrous consequences for ecosystems.
Hence the task of distinguishing between goods that satisfy essential needs and goods that satisfy artificial ones is crucial. We need a theory that enables us to do that. Fortunately, we have one, formulated by the Hungarian philosopher Ágnes Heller.
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