Capabilities, Functionings and Refined Functionings

Marc Fleurbaey

Journal of Human Development and Capabilities, 2006, vol. 7, issue 3, 299-310

Abstract: Sen's theory of capabilities is often presented as more comprehensive than an approach in terms of achievements (functionings) because it takes account of freedom and it contains at least as much information. This paper questions the last argument and argues that both kinds of consideration (freedom, comprehensive information) justify an approach in terms of refined functionings (an expression coined by Sen to describe the pair functionings-capabilities) rather than a pure capability approach. It briefly examines why achievements and not only opportunities may matter in social evaluation.

Keywords: Capability; Functioning; Equality; Justice; Opportunity (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2006
References: Add references at CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (15)

Downloads: (external link)
http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/14649880600815875 (text/html)
Access to full text is restricted to subscribers.

Related works:
Working Paper: Capabilities, functionings and refined functionings (2006)
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:taf:jhudca:v:7:y:2006:i:3:p:299-310

Ordering information: This journal article can be ordered from
http://www.tandfonline.com/pricing/journal/CJHD20

DOI: 10.1080/14649880600815875

Access Statistics for this article

Journal of Human Development and Capabilities is currently edited by Kathryn Rosenblum

More articles in Journal of Human Development and Capabilities from Taylor & Francis Journals
Bibliographic data for series maintained by Chris Longhurst ().