ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the biological origins of self-related needs, beginning with seven basic and distinctive categories of need that define all human Well-Being Systems. It also covers the origins of Well-Being Systems and the trillions of historically hidden needs that animate the collective well-being of all humans. Drawing equally from research and theory in evolutionary biology, the social sciences and philosophy, these categories emerge as clearly distinguishable clusters of human need. Needs related to each of these seven Well-Being Systems are apparent within Teresa's emigration narrative. The needs and drives related to sex are representative of the distinct Well-Being System modality, Sexuality. There are obvious similarities between these seven modalities of need and Abraham Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs. A fundamental need of all living things is the maintenance of an appropriate chemical balance between the inside and outside of an organism. The simplest cell is comprised of hundreds, if not thousands of homeostatic/Well-Being Systems.
