It is a mistake to think, as some philosophers do, that man is a being with a set of individual and instinctive material needs, and that he is far removed from and isolated from spiritual matters and needs. Or they claim that man's needs are limited and confined only to the framework of food, clothing, water, and air.

The need for food, clothing, and drink is a very natural thing, and there are things that are more important than that. The truth is that the limits of need are very broad and comprehensive, so that they include all matters and needs that are related to all dimensions of human existence, such as the need for objection, respect, self-confidence, belonging, self-esteem and pride, boasting, perfection, virtue, logic and reasoning, and defending oneself, one’s body, and one’s beliefs.

In this book, we have sought to classify these needs into: living, physical, emotional, psychological, and social, and into optimal needs and children's special needs, and to review some examples of each of them.