the myth

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So the myth in our society is that people are competitive by nature

 and that they are individualistic and that they're selfish. 

 

The real reality is quite the opposite. We have certain human needs. 

The only way that you can talk about human nature concretely is by recognizing

 that there are certain human needs. We have a human need for companionship

 and for close contact, to be loved, to be attached to, to be accepted, 

to be seen, to be received for who we are. 

 

If those needs are met, we develop into people who are compassionate and cooperative

 and who have empathy for other people. So . . . the opposite,

that we often see in our society, is in fact, a distortion of human nature

 precisely because so few people have their needs met.

 

 

 
 ~ Gabor Maté

 with thanks to whiskey river