Review article
Our Needs and Objectives
Dimitrije Sergejev
; Odsjek za sociologiju, Filozofski fakultet Zagreb, Đure Salaja 3
Abstract
The conflict of values and needs in the complex contemporary social life is viewed by the author as a specially relevant issue. Namely, the general social development resulted in a significant raise of life standard based on the help of numerous technical appliances and equipment. However, the manner of utilization of the equipment may result in unhappiness and dissatisfaction. This causes us to think about the needs and values as the objectives.
As the man in industrialized countries did overcome the necessity to fight for the life essentials, it made him more critical to the existing needs and values, especially concerning the habits inherited from the past. The ecological problems of modern era are analysed here as the suitable illustration of this issue. From the ancient times man was amassing waste. The modern problem is not only in man’s perpetuation of this behaviour, but also in creating the new kind of inorganic waste which permanently degrades the nature. In such a way an old habit turned into a new menace to man's health and survival.
The scientific analysis put forward the need for creating a new ecological consciousness as it clearly outlined the long-term consequences of the inadequate traditional ways of behaviour.
The author also uses this example to illustrate the rapidity of penetration of new needs and values into life, as when the necessity to change man’s relation to nature is acute, the economic development gains the lower priority rating. The conflict of the needs and values is illustrated by the example of civilization characterized by the continuous physical strain being transformed into a prevalently sedentary style of life.
Finally, the author stresses the necessity to formulate the individual, social, ideal and material objectives in order to transform the »egotistic« man into a »social« man.
Keywords
Hrčak ID:
156252
URI
Publication date:
31.3.1976.
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