The hierarchy of needs—a psychological theory published by Abraham Maslow in 1943 in the American Psychological Review—in its simplified form, known as the “pyramid of needs,” has taken an important place in the general body of ideas concerning the order of the world and the rules governing it. Those who frequently refer to it point out that the most basic, and therefore the most important, category of needs are physiological needs, followed by the need for safety. In common thinking, the pyramid is often used as an argument against art. Its image is meant to act like a spell that summons “common sense,” which has nothing to do with art or its manifestations. By focusing solely on the base of the pyramid, we seem to ignore the fact that Abraham Maslow himself emphasized that the needs for belonging, esteem, and self-actualization were, in the hierarchy, the most important ones.

Today, more than eighty years after the publication of the hierarchy of needs, it is no longer treated literally. Critics point out that needs are shaped individually, and that cultural and social context has a significant impact on how needs are profiled. It is now believed that our actions are motivated by entire complexes of interconnected and mutually conditioned psychological and physical needs. The image of the pyramid seems to be an overly simplified model, yet it still has a strong hold on our imagination.

The idea of athletic competition in the spirit of self-improvement offers hope of achieving the three highest levels of the pyramid: belonging, esteem, and self-actualization. The form of the box—its segmented construction—has always reminded me of a pyramid. The dream of reaching higher levels of the box became intertwined with the longing for recognition and acceptance. From our earliest years, our intuition tells us that agility and strength are a gateway to a better world.