>I can only offer a small direction here- this is a vital point-
>biological needs are relevant, they must be. We now need to really
>discover where culture (values) comes from- and we can't get there by
>backtracking along history- history moves too fast, and spreads too far-
>we need to get there by microsurgery and deep level investigation of
>these biological things that make us move.
Reductionism can only take us so far. The "mircosurgery" approach to
culture neglects the fact that our human memesphere is so pervasive and
self-referencal--it IS a part of the human environment as much as rain or
wind or famine.
What you suggest is akin to trying to understand Post-modern architecture by
learning about building materials or archway construction. This is good
technique for understanding, say, Romanesque architecture (to a point).
But at this point in our history the emergent forms are several orders
removed from the mechanics of the structural elements. Reductionism will
tell you very little that is of any real value in understanding the nature
of Post-Modern architecture. Unless, of course, one of the elements you
apply your micro-surgery to is the _history_ of architectural style itself!
(Aye, there's the rub!)
So be careful of studying the forest by inspecting the chemical make up of
its trees.
That said, I wonder if you were thinking of a division of the list such as
this one.
A) Needs likely to be genetic in origin:
>Curiosity: desire to learn
>Food: desire to eat
>Sex: desire for sexual behavior and fantasies
>Physical exercise: desire for physical activity
>Family: desire to spend time with own family
>Aversive sensations: aversion to pain and anxiety
>Social contact: desire to be in the company of others
B) Needs likely to be memetic in origin: (It might be noted that all of
these derive from the last of the genetic needs listed above--the need for
social contact--and as a result the link to their genetic underpinnings may
be more than just memetic.)
>Honor: (morality) desire to behave in accordance with a code of conduct
>Rejection: fear of social rejection
>Order: desired amount of organization in daily life [1]
>Independence: desire to make own decisions [1]
>Vengeance: desire to retaliate when offended
>Social prestige: desire for prestige and positive attention
>Citizenship: desire for public service and social justice
>Power: desire to influence people
[1] These may be genetic needs, although to what extent is hard for me to
say. Would the "need" for order or independence even seem notable enough to
be worth mentioning if not for the complextiy and abdication of choice
required of us in fulfilling our need for social contact?)
-Prof Tim