Reply #58: That came up a little bit in the other thread [View All]

[DuctapeFatwa]

Someone asked me a similar question, and I said that basic needs are not the same for every person everywhere.

One example I used was that for a person in Miami, a warm coat and earmuffs would not be basic needs, but for someone in North Dakota, they would be.

I think it would be safe to say that needs would include shelter, nutrition adequate to maintain health, medical care sufficient to maintain health, prevent problems where possible and treat any that show up, and I would count dental care as medical care since untreated dental problems can lead to infection which is no different from infection anywhere. I would also count anasthesia for invasive procedures and pain relief.

Beyond that, it depends. Electricity is a basic need for some people, transportation for others, a team of oxen for somebody else - whatever is necessary for the person to provide their own basic needs, or as much of them as possible.