The nature of human beings, along with the elements of the human psyche, plays a major role in human behavior, and has been the subject of controversy since the beginning of history. Descartes viewed human beings as a physical/mental dualism, being comprised of a physical substance and a mental substance, each being distinct and independent from the other. In the twentieth century philosopher Sartre?s view it is the consciousness of a person that makes the individual a distinct, totally separate and different type of being from other kinds of beings, and from the material things of the universe.

In his writings Sartre, often used the term ?conscious being? with reference to human beings. According to Sartre, other beings and material things lack the quality of consciousness of self. The hierarchy of human needs developed by the American psychologist Abraham Maslow included such inherent needs as the need for: love, belongingness, self-esteem and esteem from others. Not only do human beings have an innate need to love, but also a need to be loved, which is equally strong, if not more so. Satisfaction of this need is required in order for a person to have a feeling of self-worth and emotional security.

Be that as it may, another nonphysical innate need we have is the ?need for self-expression.? The need we have to express our creative self and abilities is the reason we resist becoming slaves or prisoners, even though our physical needs for food and shelter would be met. But there is also another facet to the need for self-expression beside creative expression. It is the need to express our true beliefs or feelings. That is why people have endured persecution throughout the ages rather than give up their values.

Although striving obsessively for material things far in access of actual need is a sign of emotional insecurity, there is a real need for financial security in the lives of everyone, which is another factor affecting human behavior. Western philosophers, like Hegel, Marx, and Sartre, in the development of their ?master-slave? philosophies were well-aware of the importance of economics in the struggles of man throughout history, and its affect on the emotional as well as physical well-being of man. And the underlying cause of many of the armed conflicts of history has been economic considerations, though disguised as being a fight against tyranny.

The need to be spiritually free, not just physically free, is one of the strongest needs of a person, with individuals preferring death to relinquishing their beliefs. The ideal of human freedom is the basic premise upon which America and other free societies are founded, and although the cause underlying wars has been often economics, the patriotism of the citizens is usually appealed to on the basis of protecting their freedom, not economics.

Philosophers of the past have seen the human condition, the condition of humanity, as being, and as having always been, one of unresolved conflict, both personal and social. Plato saw internal personal conflict as an inevitable fact of life.

On an everyday basis, it is the spiritual needs of human beings to feel worthy, and for intimacy, that most impact their behavior, and which are the most difficult to fulfill.