[ivanhoe]

It's just a matter of what you've been taught to believe is important in life (by culture, religion, parents, peers, etc.). What humans need psychologically is something to keep them occupied and their time structured in some meaningful way, but one doesn't need a job for that - you can practice your hobbies, socializing, taking care of family, or whatever one finds fulfilling. People also need a sense of security and, as you mentioned, peer recognition, but having money fixes both of those quite well. In the end it's all very individual, because the sense of purpose, achievement and self-esteem doesn't deal with some absolute predefined values, but it's relative to your own set of expectations and goals.