freedom

Igantieff distinguishes between basic needs of human beings and the needs that, if respected, allow people not only to survive but to blossom and become fulfilled. Our basic needs are food, lodging, education, and medical help; our other needs are to be loved, appreciated, respected, and seen as valuable. Ignatieff argues that ensuring the basic needs of people is an act of justice that can be regulated by law, but helping a person to be fulfilled through love can never be regulated or imposed by law; you cannot oblige someone to love another because love is something that flows from our freedom. A child needs the fulfillment of basic needs but also fulfillment of the fundamental need for love. There can be no real peace if we simply remain respectful of law. Love calls forth what is deepest in each person, and if there is no real love, then there is no real peace, and justice is not respected.