This quality of life is analyzed in terms of the central concepts of “functioning” and “capability”. The capabilities approach goes directly to the quality of life that people can actually achieve. This mental reaction also does not show that the same person would not appreciate transportation if it were actually available to them. Even if that person by some quirk, finds the bicycle charming, we should be able to notice within our assessment system that it still lacks transportation.

It could be considered a generally useful tool for most people to extend their mobility. This has the characteristics of “transportation”, but whether it will actually provide transportation will depend on the characteristics of those trying to use it. Sen illustrates his point with the example of a standard bicycle. As Sen argues, people’s commodities or wealth or their mental reactions (utility) are an inappropriate angle because they provide limited or indirect information about how life is going. And therefore, the kind of life they can effectively lead.

The capability approach claims that freedom to achieve well-being is a matter of what people can do and be. And to a new policy paradigm used mainly in developing studies, the so-called “human development approach” or human well-being. It has also given rise to a new highly interdisciplinary literature in the social sciences resulting in new social statistics and indicators. Such as those of social justice or the narratives of development ethics. The approach has been developed into a variety of more specific normative theories. In other words, their real opportunities to do and be what they value. And second, that freedom to achieve well-being must be understood in terms of people with capabilities. Amartya Sen’s capability theory approach is a theoretical framework that involves two core normative claims.įirst, the assumption that freedom to achieve well-being is of primary moral importance. It proposes that social arrangements should be evaluated primarily according to the extent of freedom people have to promote as well as achieving functions they value. The Sen capability approach is a moral framework.

Amartya sen view on development