What is the difference between a need and a want?

What is the difference between "need" and " want" ?

  • How can you draw a line between need and want?

  • Answer:

    Needs are the things that are required for your survival.Things your animal nature requires. Things like food,air,water,heat,love,sex,social life,good health.These are all needs. Wants are things that are not neccesary for your survival.Things like TV,computer,Cell phone,sun glasses,a big house,a green stripped sofa,an exercise machine. But of course some of these things that are listed as wants are actually needs for many people.There is no standard for the classification of needs and wants.For example a person who works as a news reporter "needs"a TV so he can be seen by the viewers. A person who sells cellphones for a living "needs"cell phones to survive. A person who has a medical condition that requires him to exercise "needs"a workout machine to remain healthy. In todays world money is also a need because in a so called civilized society very few things are free and the most basic of needed things you have to pay for.If you want to live in a civilized society you need money. And so on.As you can see it is all relative and subjective.

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Other answers

Wanting is based on imagination.

Terra Nova

Need is something you need for survival, ie food, water, shelter. Want is something that is optional, ie computer, TV. However clothes is not a need, however because society has made wearing clothes important, and not wearing any in public illegal, then it has become a need. However if you don't get any "wants" or form of entertainment you may get bored and suicidal, so that's when wants become needs. Honestly it is hard to draw a fine line because there are so many exceptions and rules that could apply. But generally a need is for survival and want isn't.

Buk

Just because you want something does not necessarily mean you need it! Consequently, you may now want everything you need.

hoovarted

NEED= A need is something essential that you definatley CAN'T live without. like Food and Water WANT= A want is something non-essential that you CAN live without. like a phone and computer Hope this helps

Rose

Need means it is necessary. Want means a wish. Need can not be postponed, but a wish can be postponed.

Trisha

The 5 basic human needs are necessary for life: Air, Water, Food, Shelter and sex. Everything else can basically be seen as a want if it is something we don't need to survive.

Jesere

I want to breath and I want to eat. I need a Ferrari and I need a mansion. I hope I don't confuse you because most do not agree with me.

Move on

Any Need is a Want. All Wants are not Need. Need is basic. Want is not.

usabpura

You need to breathe, you need food and water and sleep. You want an iPad or a new car. Major differences between the two...

nymom

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