Nussbaum's Theory Of Competence

Before the publication of Rawls’ A Theory of Justice,utilitarianism has been dominating the discourse power of political philosophy for a long time.However,due to its major defects,Rawls proposes a new ideological and theoretical system,namely "justice as fairness",which is on the basis of social contract theories such as Locke’s and Rousseau’s,along with Kant’s moral theory,to replace utilitarianism.This makes the issue of distributive justice return to philosophical speculative scope and become one of the core issues of contemporary political philosophy.Later,Amartya Sen criticizes that Rawls’ theory of justice as a principle of distributive justice is defective.On that basis,Sen finds a new way to put forward a theory of justice based on the equality of capabilities,which centers on people’s feasible capability and provides a new perspective for people’s understanding of fairness and justice.Then Martha Nussbaum further develops the capability theory from the perspective of political philosophy and proposes the list of capabilities.This paper aims to explore Nussbaum’s capability theory.The basic ideas are as follows.Firstly,the theoretical background of Nussbaum’s capability theory needs to be clarified.This is due to the emphasis on the distinct individualism,meaning that the individual is the basis of the social contract,which can be traced back to classical period.In the capitalist period,the social contract theory has made great contribution to the individual freedom and equality in human society.But the argument of social contract theory is based on the theorists’ assumption,which is lack of objective support and thus seems inadequate.Later,Rawls’ theory of justice is criticized by Sen for its intrinsic defects and Sen proposes a theory of justice that focuses on the development of capabilities.Nussbaum,following Sen,further develops capability theory on the basis of criticizing Rawls’ failure in covering issues such as disabled groups,non-human animals and transnational justice.At the same time,she tries to incorporate Aristotle’s thoughts,which makes the philosophical foundation solider and her theory more operative,to put forward the list of capabilities.Secondly,the contents of capability theory needs to be analyzed.In this part,the relevant concepts of capabilities are differentiated.The main point focuses on the function after the operation of capabilities.Only through the operation of capabilities can it make sense.This leads to the nature,which is the necessity to achieve a dignified life,the universality of wide application and incommensurability among each other,of core capabilities.Furthermore,the list of capabilities is determined while it remains open to be subject to be questioned and polished.Thus,it has the endogenous power of continuous improvement.Thirdly,the application and practice of the capability theory is introduced.The development of the capability theory enriches the fairness and justice in the field of freedom.The theory aims at providing the policy makers with direction and highlighting the orientation of justice to fairness.Through the minimum guarantee,an upward pull for the poor groups is formed to help them rid of the bondage.More emphasis is put on the fundamental and sustainable role of sound capacities in human development.Lastly,the author elaborates and answers the relevant controversies existing in the capability theory.The theory helps promote a dignified life,improve the democratic political structure and realize the transnational justice.All in all,in research of Nussbaum’s capability theory,this thesis hopes to offer policy-making direction to help people live a dignified life,to lead the people to scrutinize the development of capabilities from the viewpoint of equal life value,to help people rethink what they can do and what can be the essence of people.The discussion of continuous development of the capabilities can be transitioned to the rights of political liberalism,which helps build a theory of basic social justice.To individuals,it is the guarantee of dignified life.To society,it is the favorable ethics of a harmonious society.