Primitive pleasure as the basic human state.

Abstract

Physiological homeostasis as a goal for much of nursing practice is put into question. The goal of primitive pleasure is substituted as a goal of nursing in that nurses assist people in returning to a basic state of pleasure. This basic human state is further specified as primitive pleasure, primitive in that it is sensory, sensual, and carnal as compared to cognitive or esthetic in nature. Propositions related to primitive pleasure as the basic human state are identified, described, illustrated, and discussed. This beginning conceptualization of an ideal human state was developed without examination of or relation to existing theories such as arousal, stimulation response, Freud's pleasure principle, or developmental theories.