Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Mutual dependency between capabilities and functionings in Amartya Sen’s capability approach

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Social Choice and Welfare Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Amartya Sen’s capability approach has recently been widely discussed as a theoretical basis for making resource allocation decisions in health care. The purpose of this paper is to analyze the relationship between capabilities and functionings in the capability approach. The paper shows that some functionings are not only the result of capabilities, but also their prerequisite. That is, there is a dual role of some functionings as both ends and instruments, resulting in a mutual dependency between capabilities and functionings. Functionings may be a direct requirement for capabilities, but also an indirect one because they ensure the absence of mental disorders or negative thoughts, both of which are relevant constraints on freedom. This has important implications. It supports a policy that ensures for everyone an initial endowment of (1) mental and physical health, (2) education, and (3) other functionings with a direct or indirect impact on capabilities.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Chaudhuri B, Reboud V (2003) On the implicit conceptions of freedom and justice involved in the capability approach. Third conference on the capability approach: from sustainable development to sustainable freedom. 7th–9th September 2003. University of Pavia, Pavia (Italy)

  • Diener E and Seligman MEP (2004). Beyond money: toward an economy of well-being. PSPI 5: 1–31

    Google Scholar 

  • Donovan N, Halpern D, Sargeant R (2002) Life satisfaction: the state of knowledge and implications for government. The Prime Minister’s Strategy Unit, Cabinet Office, London

  • Drèze J and Sen A (1995). Indian development: selected regional perspective. Oxford University Press, Oxford

    Google Scholar 

  • Eaves G and Rush AJ (1984). Cognitive patterns in symptomatic and remitted unipolar major depression. J Abnorm Psychol 93(1): 31–40

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Forgas JP, Williams K and von Hippel W (2004). Social motivation. Cambridge University Press, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Haybron DM (2001). Happiness and pleasure. Philos Phenomenol Res 62(3): 501–528

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kown SM and Oei TPS (1994). The roles of two levels of cognitions in the development, maintenance and treatment of depression. Clin Psychol Rev 14: 331–358

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Krantz S and Hammen C (1979). Assessment of cognitive bias in depression. J Abnorm Psychol 88(6): 611–619

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lewinsohn PM, Steinmetz JL, Larson DW and Franklin J (1981). Depression-related cognitions: antecedent or consequence?. J Abnorm Psychol 90(3): 213–219

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McDermut JF, Haaga AAF and Bilek LA (1997). Cognitive bias and irrational beliefs in major depression and dysphoria. Cogn Ther Res 21: 459–476

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nelson RE (1977). Irrational beliefs in depression. J Consult Clin Psychol 45(6): 1190–1191

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Robeyns I (2000) An unworkable idea or a promising alternative? Sen’s capability approach re-examined. Discussion paper 00.30. Center for Economic Studies, University of Leuven, Leuven

  • Rose DT, Abramson LY, Hodulik CJ, Halberstadt L and Leff G (1994). Heterogeneity of cognitive style among depressed inpatients. J Abnorm Psychol 103(3): 419–429

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sen AK (1985). Well-being and freedom. J Philos 82: 185–221

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sen AK (1985). Commodities and capabilities. North Holland, Amsterdam

    Google Scholar 

  • Sen AK (1987). On ethics and economics. Basil Blackwell, Oxford

    Google Scholar 

  • Sen AK (1992). Inequality reexamined. Clarendon Press, Oxford

    Google Scholar 

  • Sen AK (1996). On the foundations of welfare economics: utility, capability and practical reason. In: Farina, F, Hahn, F, and Vannucci, S (eds) Ethics, rationality, and economic behaviour, pp. Clarendon Press, Oxford

    Google Scholar 

  • Sen AK (1999). Development as freedom. Oxford University Press, Oxford

    Google Scholar 

  • Sen AK (2002). Why health equity?. Health Econ 11(8): 659–666

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • World Health Organization (1992) ICD-10 International statistical classification of diseases and related health problems. World Health Organization, Geneva

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Health Economics and Clinical Epidemiology, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany

    Afschin Gandjour

  2. Institut für Gesundheitsökonomie und Klinische Epidemiologie, Universität zu Köln, Gleueler Straße 176-178, 50935, Köln, Germany

    Afschin Gandjour

Authors
  1. Afschin Gandjour
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Afschin Gandjour.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Gandjour, A. Mutual dependency between capabilities and functionings in Amartya Sen’s capability approach. Soc Choice Welfare 31, 345–350 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00355-007-0283-7

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00355-007-0283-7

Keywords

Search

Navigation