Hunger, homeostasis, and desire

Hunger is a psychological state that serves physiological energy homeostasis. I argue that it is a pure underived desire to eat and examine its role in homeostasis. After scene-setting explanations of homeostasis and desire, I argue that hunger is a close phenomenological match with underived desire. Then, I show why desire is an apt instrument for energy homeostasis. Finally, I argue that energy homeostasis is a multi-factorial future-regarding behavioural strategy. Hunger is a special purpose sensory state that serves only to implement the strategy. Thus, it is a sensory desire. I conclude by reflecting on the credibility of this desire.

Automated summary

This article examines the role of hunger as a psychological state in physiological energy homeostasis and argues that hunger is a pure, underived desire. The author explains the similarities between hunger and underived desire after providing explanations of energy homeostasis and desire. Additionally, the author discusses the appropriateness of desire as a tool for achieving energy homeostasis. Lastly, the article proposes that energy homeostasis is a multifactorial, future-regarding behavioral strategy, with hunger serving as a specialized sensory state to implement this strategy.