• DOI:10.1007/s00355-007-0283-7
• Corpus ID: 15031335

Mutual dependency between capabilities and functionings in Amartya Sen’s capability approach

@article{Gandjour2008MutualDB,
  title={Mutual dependency between capabilities and functionings in Amartya Sen’s capability approach},
  author={Afschin Gandjour},
  journal={Social Choice and Welfare},
  year={2008},
  volume={31},
  pages={345-350}
}

• A. Gandjour
• Published 1 August 2008
• Economics
• Social Choice and Welfare

Amartya Sen’s capability approach has recently been widely discussed as a theoretical basis for making resource allocation decisions in health care. The purpose of this paper is to analyze the relationship between capabilities and functionings in the capability approach. The paper shows that some functionings are not only the result of capabilities, but also their prerequisite. That is, there is a dual role of some functionings as both ends and instruments, resulting in a mutual dependency between capabilities and functionings. Functionings may be a direct requirement for capabilities, but also an indirect one because they ensure the absence of mental disorders or negative thoughts, both of which are relevant constraints on freedom. This has important implications. It supports a policy that ensures for everyone an initial endowment of (1) mental and physical health, (2) education, and (3) other functionings with a direct or indirect impact on capabilities.