What is the Difference Between Need and Necessity?

The difference between "need" and "necessity" lies in the urgency and importance of the items or conditions being referred to. Here are the key differences:

• Need: A need is something that requires fulfillment for the existence or well-being of an organism. It can be an absolute requirement, such as food and water for survival, or it can be a social or psychological need, like the need for self-esteem or love. Needs are essential for an individual or organism to function properly and can be considered as a deficiency that needs to be addressed.
• Necessity: A necessity is a pressing need for something, and it is often required by law or considered an absolute requirement for survival or well-being. For example, food and water are necessities because they are essential for life, and an organism cannot survive without them. Necessities are often considered more urgent and important than needs, as they are crucial for maintaining life or a certain standard of living.

In summary, while both "need" and "necessity" refer to things that are important or required, a necessity is a more pressing and often legally required need.

Comparative Table: Need vs Necessity

The difference between need and necessity can be understood through the following table:

While both need and necessity refer to something that is required or essential, necessity implies a stronger sense of obligation or inevitability, whereas need implies a more general or basic requirement.