Capabilities and Happiness

"Few would dispute that the well-being of individuals is one of the most desirable aims of human actions. However, approaches on how to define, measure, evaluate, and promote well-being differ widely. The conventional economic approach takes income (or the power to acquire market goods) as the most important indicator for well-being, and the utility function as the formal device for positive and normative analysis. However, this approach to well-being has been questioned for being seriously limited and other approaches have arisen. The capability approach to well-being, which has been developed during the last two decades by Amartya Sen and Martha Nussbaum, and the Happiness Approach to well-being, championed by Richard Easterlin, both provide an alternative. Both approaches come from different traditions and have developed independently, but nevertheless aim to overcome the rigid boundaries of the conventional economic approach to well-being. Given these common aims, it is surprising that little comparative work has been undertaken across these approaches. This book aims to correct this by providing the reader with contributions from leading names associated with both approaches, as well as contributions which evaluate the approaches and contrast one with the other"--Jacket

few Would Dispute That The Well-being Of Individuals Is One Of The Most Desirable Aims Of Human Actions. However, Approaches On How To Define, Measure, Evaluate, And Promote Well-being Differ Widely. The Conventional Economic Approach Takes Income (or The Power To Acquire Market Goods) As The Most Important Indicator For Well-being, And The Utility Function As The Formal Device For Positive And Normative Analysis. However, This Approach To Well-being Has Been Questioned For Being Seriously Limited And Other Approaches Have Arisen.

the Capability Approach To Well-being, Which Has Been Developed During The Last Two Decades By Amartya Sen And Martha Nussbaum, And The Happiness Approach To Well-being, Championed By Richard Easterlin, Both Provide An Alternative. Both Approaches Come From Different Traditions And Have Developed Independently, But Nevertheless Aim To Overcome The Rigid Boundaries Of The Conventional Economic Approach To Well-being. Given These Common Aims, It Is Surprising That Little Comparative Work Has Been Undertaken Across These Approaches. This Book Aims To Correct This By Providing The Reader With Contributions From Leading Names Associated With Both Approaches, As Well As Contributions Which Evaluate The Approaches And Contrast One With The Other.

The economics of happiness and capability / Amartya Sen Life cycle happiness and its sources : why psychology and economics need each other / Richard A. Easterlin In defense of happiness : why policymakers should care about subjective well-being / Pelin Kesebir and Ed Diener Some insights on development from the economics of happiness / Carol Graham Back to Aristotle? Happiness, eduaimonia, and relational goods / Luigino Bruni Capabilities and happiness : overcoming the informational apartheid in the asessment of human well-being / Flavio Comim The division of labor between the capability and the happiness perspectives / Johannes Hirata Self-determination theory and the explanatory role of psychological needs in human well-being / Maarten Vansteenkiste, Richard M. Ryan, and Edward L. Deci Capabilities, the self, and well-being / Maurizio Pugno Subjective measures of agency / Sabina Alkire The philosophical foundations of subjective measures of well-being / Erik Angner Capability, happiness, and opportunity / Robert Sugden. Approaches to well-being have been hotly debated across the social sciences, with most challenging the conventional economic approach which uses income as a key indicator of happiness. This volume compares and contrasts two such approaches, the Capability and Happiness Approach, via a series of interdisciplinary papers from top names in the field.