Perhaps what Armstrong is trying to drive home is this:

While Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs put physiological needs at the very bottom and self-actualisation at the very top of the pyramid, that was when survival was a lot harder.

In the present day, when survival — a roof over our heads, food and water, etc. — is not so much of a problem anymore, we worry about our identity.

“Who am I? What do I stand for? Why do I do what I do?”

Everyone’s identity is increasingly unique. My wants can be your needs and my needs can be your wants.

As such, understanding and accepting what the good life is for each individual is more important. Then, will we know what is it that is truly good for us.

Thank you, Charles, for writing this piece.