27/08/2026
Other than the fact that there’s an interesting debate about how much Maslow’s time with the Blackfoot Nation influenced his thinking, most of us were never fully taught Maslow’s hierarchy.
In his later work, Maslow became increasingly interested in self-transcendence: the idea that human development may not end with fulfilling your own potential, but with moving beyond the self.
Serving something larger. Serving others. Creating meaning. Pursuing spirituality, knowledge, a cause, or leaving something behind that isn’t entirely about you.
Ironically, self-actualisation became the famous part. Maslow’s work was heavily popularised through management and business, and for the better part of 60 years we’ve been striving to “reach our potential.” (Academy of Management Journals)
I can’t help but wonder: if self-transcendence had entered the popular zeitgeist instead of self-actualisation, what would our society look like now?
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