“What we need is a system of thought – you might even call it a religion – that can bind humans together. A system that would fit the Republic of Chad as well as the United States: a system that would supply our idealistic young people with something to believe in.”
- April 1, 1908 – June 8, 1970
- American
- Psychologist, Creator of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, Humanistic Psychology Pioneer
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Quote
“What we need is a system of thought – you might even call it a religion – that can bind humans together. A system that would fit the Republic of Chad as well as the United States: a system that would supply our idealistic young people with something to believe in.”
Explanation
This quote reflects Abraham Maslow’s concern with the need for a unifying, transcendent worldview—what he sometimes called a “value system” or “metaphysical framework”—that transcends cultural and national boundaries. In the later stages of his career, Maslow proposed that psychological health is incomplete without a higher purpose, something akin to a secular spirituality or moral vision that can guide behavior and offer meaning across diverse societies. By suggesting that such a system might resemble a religion, he acknowledges that people yearn for belonging, structure, and moral direction—elements traditionally offered by religion, but now needing redefinition in a global, pluralistic world.
The reference to places as different as the Republic of Chad and the United States underscores Maslow’s belief that this new system must be universally human, rather than culturally exclusive. During the Cold War and postwar periods in which Maslow wrote, the world was grappling with ideological fragmentation, materialism, and a loss of shared values. He saw this as dangerous, especially for idealistic young people who were disillusioned with traditional religion, nationalism, or consumer culture. For Maslow, a truly fulfilling life had to be rooted not only in personal achievement, but in shared ideals that connect individuals across borders.
Today, this idea resonates in discussions of global ethics, human rights, environmentalism, and social justice—movements that seek to unite humanity under common values. For instance, many young people find purpose in causes like climate action or universal education. These can be seen as modern manifestations of the “system of thought” Maslow envisioned: a belief system rooted not in dogma, but in the shared human pursuit of dignity, meaning, and transcendence.
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