True Needs and False Needs
마르쿠제, 진짜 욕구와 가짜 욕구를 구분하다
In his seminal work "One-Dimensional Man," Herbert Marcuse explores the concept of true needs and false needs in modern industrial society. According to Marcuse, modern society has become so efficient at satisfying people's basic needs that it has also created a vast array of false needs, which distract people from pursuing their true needs and keep them trapped in a one-dimensional world.
True needs are those that are necessary for human survival and well-being, such as food, shelter, and companionship. These needs are fundamental and must be met for people to live fulfilling lives. In contrast, false needs are created by society through advertising, media, and other forms of manipulation to encourage people to desire things that are not essential to their well-being, such as luxury goods, new gadgets, or other status symbols. False needs create a sense of artificial desire that often leads to a cycle of consumption and dissatisfaction, ultimately preventing people from achieving true happiness and fulfillment.
Marcuse argues that modern society has created a system of domination and control that keeps people in a state of false consciousness, where they believe that their false needs are essential to their happiness and well-being. The media, advertising, and other cultural institutions perpetuate this system by creating a constant barrage of images and messages that promote the idea that material possessions and consumption are necessary for a good life.
Furthermore, Marcuse claims that the system of false needs is reinforced by the scientific and technological progress that has enabled society to produce an abundance of goods and services. This abundance, however, is not distributed equally and is often used to control and manipulate people. The system of false needs thus becomes self-perpetuating, trapping people in a cycle of consumption and dissatisfaction, preventing them from achieving their true potential.
Marcuse argues that the solution to this problem is to break free from the one-dimensional thinking that characterizes modern industrial society. This requires people to become aware of the false needs that are being created by the system of domination and control and to resist them. People must learn to distinguish between their true needs and the false needs that are being imposed upon them, and they must work to create a society that values human flourishing and well-being over material consumption.
In conclusion, Herbert Marcuse's concept of true needs and false needs in "One-Dimensional Man" is a powerful critique of modern industrial society. It highlights the ways in which the system of domination and control has created a world in which people are trapped in a cycle of consumption and dissatisfaction. Marcuse argues that to achieve true happiness and fulfillment, people must learn to resist the false needs that are being imposed upon them and work to create a society that values human flourishing and well-being above all else.
