About the author
American philosopher (b. 1947), professor of law and ethics at the University of Chicago. With Amartya Sen, Nussbaum developed the capabilities approach, which evaluates justice not by resources or preference-satisfaction but by what people are actually able to do and to be. Creating Capabilities (2011) sets out her list of central human capabilities — life, bodily health, affiliation, practical reason, and others — as a basis for a partial theory of social justice and human dignity. Her wider work spans ancient philosophy, the emotions, feminism, and the moral importance of vulnerability.
Synopsis
Nussbaum explains the capabilities framework and its implications for constitutional design and social policy.
Core passage idea
Paraphrase · Modern copyrighted workNussbaum argues that justice should secure substantive capabilities required for a dignified human life.
Useful as an accessible anchor for equality routes.
To avoid a bubble
Pair with Hayek or Nozick to test state-role and rights-limits critiques.
Reading note
Good starting point before harder theory texts.
Best paired with
Anarchy, State, and Utopia by Robert Nozick.