The Capability Approach is a theoretical framework that emphasises an individual’s ability to achieve the outcomes they value, rather than focusing on the resources they possess. Developed by economist Amartya Sen and philosopher Martha Nussbaum, this model is used in various disciplines, including development studies, economics, and philosophy, to assess social arrangements, policies, and individual well-being.
Central to the Capability Approach is the idea of ‘functionings’ and ‘capabilities’. ‘Functionings’ refers to the various states of being and activities that make up a person’s life. ‘Capabilities’, on the other hand, denote the different combinations of functionings that a person can achieve, thus reflecting their freedom to choose the kind of life they have reason to value.
The Capability Approach has been applied in a wide range of contexts, from assessing economic development and gender inequality to formulating healthcare policies and evaluating educational systems. Critics, however, argue that it is too abstract and lacks precision, making it difficult to implement in practical policy-making. Despite these criticisms, the Capability Approach remains a significant theoretical framework for understanding and assessing well-being and social justice.
Go to source article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capability_approach