Eleventh International Conference on Religion & Spirituality in Society

Abstract

Maslow’s theory might be one of the most powerful perspectives of humans’ potential growth. It suggests that people have a strong desire to realize their full potential, reach a level of self-actualization and find meaning in life. Besides, the theory helps people to understand what motivates them and what they can do in order to be happy. In spite its attractive nature, the theory has received much criticism as for example, the fact that it has been culturally influenced and it is more applicable in the western individualistic societies, rather than the collectivist ones. This emphasis on ‘self’ might sometimes contradict to the notion of ‘spirituality’, though Maslow’s later revision of the ‘Theory of Human Needs’ and the addition of the ‘Transcendence’ level seems more compatible to the notion of ‘spirituality’, as people do not seem so self-centered anymore, but overcome ‘self’ to commit themselves to a bigger, higher and ultimate goal.