Commodities and Capabilities (Professor Dr. P. Hennipman Lectures in Economics, Vol 7)

By Amartya Sen

This monograph explores the foundations of welfare economics - in particular the assessment of personal well-being and advantage. Arguments are presented against the usual concentration on ''utility'' (as in traditional welfare economics) and on ''opulence'' (as in ''real income'' estimations and other normative measurements). An alternative framework is developed for the analysis of personal well-being based on assessing ''functionings'' and the ''capability to function'' - i.e. what a person can do or can be. The functionings considered vary from such basic biological performances as ''being well-nourished'' to such social achievements as ''being able to take part in the life of the community''. This exercise of comparing achievements and capabilities provides a structure for inter-personal comparisons of well-being. The book's critical appraisal of traditional methods combined with a newly developed framework throws new light on comparisons of well-being, and aids assessment of some international contrasts.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0444877304
• ISBN13: 9780444877307
• Release Date: December 1985
• Publisher: Elsevier Science Ltd
• Weight: 0.35 lbs.
• Dimensions: 8.0" x 0.5" x 5.5"