“All the evidence that we have indicates that it is reasonable to assume in practically every human being, and certainly in almost every newborn baby, that there is an active will toward health, an impulse towards growth, or towards the actualization.”
- April 1, 1908 – June 8, 1970
- American
- Psychologist, Creator of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, Humanistic Psychology Pioneer
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Quote
“All the evidence that we have indicates that it is reasonable to assume in practically every human being, and certainly in almost every newborn baby, that there is an active will toward health, an impulse towards growth, or towards the actualization.”
Explanation
In this quote, Abraham Maslow affirms a fundamentally optimistic view of human nature: that people are inherently driven toward growth, healing, and fulfillment. Rather than seeing human beings as passive or inherently flawed, he posits that there exists a natural, internal force pushing individuals toward wholeness and psychological well-being. This “will toward health” is not a luxury but an intrinsic part of what it means to be human, observable even in infants who instinctively reach out, explore, and strive to master their environment.
This insight is central to Maslow’s humanistic psychology, which contrasts sharply with earlier theories that emphasized pathology, conflict, or external control. Maslow believed that under the right conditions—such as safety, love, and freedom—individuals will naturally move toward self-actualization, realizing their fullest potential. His emphasis on this positive impulse helped reshape therapeutic practices, education, and leadership, encouraging approaches that nurture growth rather than control behavior.
In contemporary application, Maslow’s view supports efforts in positive psychology, child development, and trauma recovery, where practitioners work from the assumption that people possess a built-in capacity to heal and grow. Whether helping children thrive in supportive environments or assisting adults in overcoming adversity, the guiding belief is the same: the human spirit leans forward, and when nurtured, it moves naturally toward health, creativity, and realization.
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