Capabilities and Two Ethical Theories

Hilary Putnam

Journal of Human Development and Capabilities, 2008, vol. 9, issue 3, 377-388

Abstract: The present paper examines two currently popular approaches to ethical theory — namely, 'Expressivism' (also known as 'emotivism' and 'non-cognitivism') and contemporary forms of 'Kantianism' — and argues that neither provides a suitable foundation for the capabilities approach. Two philosophers are discussed in some detail — Simon Blackburn, as a leading representative of Expressivism, and Thomas Scanlon, as a leading representative of 'Kantianism' — but the views of Habermas also come under some scrutiny. The paper ends by advocating a view close to that of John Dewey.

Keywords: Simon Blackburn; John Dewey; Jurgen Habermas; Thomas Scanlon; Democracy; Entanglement; Expressivism; Fallibilism; Kantianism; Positivism (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2008
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DOI: 10.1080/14649880802236581

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