And these stirrings and likings of gluttony, among all other sins, are most excusable and least perilous. And therefore thou shalt not rise against the ground of this sin as thou shalt against the ground of all other sin, for the ground of this sin is only natural need and necessity, the which thou canst not eschew, unless thou shouldst do worse, namely, slay this need (as many unwise persons do, by destroying their bodies or healths), whereas they should only slay the thief and spare the true man. (John Climacus)

The foundation of this sin is true need.

Of other sins we are enjoined to root out the fundamental cause of sinning. But with gluttony - broadly understood - we are dealing with the lower levels of Maslow's hierarchy. We cannot - should not - seek to deny that on which life depends.

This begs the question: what do we need? Maslow begins with physiological needs, which gluttony most traditionally involves. The hierarchy then moves to safety, love/belonging, esteem, and self-actualization.

Gluttony and lust are often considered together, as Climacus has done. Does this mean that both safety and love/belonging are encompassed by gluttony?

Are pride and envy separate from gluttony? Or are pride and envy how we describe a gluttony of self-esteem?