Capability Approach: A Philosophical Investigation of Amartya Sen’s Idea of Justice

“Capability Approach: A Philosophical Investigation of Amartya Sen's Idea of Justice”

Author-Azad Ali

Research Scholar

Department of Philosophy

Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, 202002

Email: azad.philosophy.amu@gmail.com

2nd Author- Uzair Khan

Research Scholar

Department of Philosophy

Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh 202002

Email:  uzairkhan356@gmail.com

Abstract:

This article, attempts a philosophical inspection of Amartya Sen's ‘capability approach’ as the unique outline for comprehending justice. Sen's ‘capability approach’ is a departure or shift from traditional paradigms that prioritise resources or utility, as it underscores the actual freedoms that individuals possess to accomplish the lives they value. This paper critically evaluates the philosophical underpinnings of Sen's concept of justice, investigating its approach to the challenges of human development, poverty, and inequality. It will also evaluate the significance of the ‘capability approach’ in comparison to other mainstream theories of justice, particularly those proposed by John Rawls, by examining its fundamental principles, including its emphasis on individual capabilities and its rejection of a fixed metric of justice. Furthermore, this inquiry explores the implications of Sen's methodology for contemporary discussions regarding public policy and global justice. The paper endeavours to promote a more profound comprehension of justice that is more in accordance with human diversity and real-world circumstances by means of this investigation, thereby providing a more pragmatic and ethically sensitive framework for assessing social arrangements.

Keywords: John Rawls, Justice, Inequality, Poverty, Public Policy.