A Comparison Of Freedom Theories Between Hayek And Amartya Sen

Hayek and Amartya Sen have their own views of freedom. They expounded theirfreedom theories in different angles. Hayek regarded freedom as a state in which one personcan do something to his will without compulsion. He took the limited rationality asepistemological basics to safeguard individual freedom and oppose the tyranny. He suggestedtaking law which is established under the spontaneous order as the guarantee of freedom.Amartya Sen defined freedom as capability which everyone should possess. It involves notonly the basic capabilities that people can avoid from famine and poverty, but also politicalrights such as political conversation and election, etc. He put forward the outlook ofdevelopment that judging the development by freedom, which not only considered freedom asthe intention but also the means of development.There are different characteristics for Hayek and Amartya Sen’s freedom theories. Thesimilarities are:(1) They both inherited and developed Adam Smith’s thoughts and theories.(2)They both insisted the people-oriented theory and emphasized the importance of individualfreedom.(3)They both advocated free economic system.There are four differences between Hayek and Amartya Sen’s freedom theories:(1)Hayek advocated individual freedom under law. Amartya Sen focused on the freedom ofcapability.(2)Hayek insisted individual freedom without society intervenes. Amartya Senthought that society takes responsibility for individual freedom.(3)Hayek advocated limitedrational design, but Amartya Sen insisted the ensuring freedom by rational policy.(4)Hayekopposed the bar of welfare policy against individual freedom. Amartya Sen insisted thatfreedom of populace should be maintained with the principle of welfare.The main reason why the differences exist in Hayek and Amartya Sen’s theories is theirdifferent philosophical foundations. Hayek’s epistemology based on limited rationality. Hepropounded protecting individual freedom by abstract law. While, Amartya sen insisted onrationalistic principle. He emphasized protecting individual freedom by various economic andsocial policies.