Capabilities for All? From Capabilities to Function, to Capabilities to Control

Begon, Jessica

doi:10.5840/soctheorpract20174317

Capabilities for All? From Capabilities to Function, to Capabilities to Control

Begon, Jessica

Authors

Dr Jessica Begon jessica.e.begon@durham.ac.uk
Associate Professor

Abstract

The capability approach aims to ensure that all individuals are able to form and pursue their own conception of the good, whilst the state remains neutral between them, and has done much to include oppressed and marginalized groups. Liberal neutrality and social inclusivity are worthy goals, yet I argue that Martha Nussbaum’s influential formulation of the capability approach, at least, cannot meet them. Conceptualizing capabilities as opportunities to perform specific, valuable functionings fails to accommodate those who do not value, or cannot perform, these functionings. I therefore propose that the capability approach be modified, such that capabilities are conceptualized instead as opportunities to exercise control in certain central domains of our life.

Citation

Begon, J. (2017). Capabilities for All? From Capabilities to Function, to Capabilities to Control. Social Theory and Practice, 43(1), 154-179. https://doi.org/10.5840/soctheorpract20174317

Journal Article Type	Article
Acceptance Date	Mar 28, 2016
Online Publication Date	Jan 1, 2017
Publication Date	Jan 1, 2017
Deposit Date	Sep 10, 2018
Publicly Available Date	Oct 5, 2018
Journal	Social Theory and Practice
Print ISSN	0037-802X
Electronic ISSN	2154-123X
Publisher	Philosophy Documentation Center
Peer Reviewed	Peer Reviewed
Volume	43
Issue	1
Pages	154-179
DOI	https://doi.org/10.5840/soctheorpract20174317