[steveklabnik]

The maxim "to each according to his need" is diametrically opposed to "equal outcome in all circumstances."

[Natsu]

This would appear to imply that our needs are somehow 'diametrically' unequal. My experience has been that everyone needs roughly the same basic necessities.

How would you resolve this?

[steveklabnik]

An 85 year old woman with a serious illness has very different needs than a 22 year old man who's healthy.

Just stuff like that. Different people need different amounts of things. It's not a particularly controversial statement.