The Capabilities Approach

               In our reading of Nussbaum, we were introduced to The Capabilities Approach. She explains how most people have the capability for practical reason, allowing us to reflect on how to live our lives. This approach is split up into 10 categories: life, bodily health, bodily integrity, senses/imagination/thought, emotions, practical reason, affiliation, other species, play, and control over one’s environment. But does everyone really have these capabilities and if they do are they really respected?

                Let’s take the new law in Germany for example; banning full face veils in schools and colleges, while driving, appearing in court or going through passport security. It would not be hard to argue that this is a good idea. It makes sense for various reasons, such as safety in airport, for the veils to be removed for identification purposes. But to me this is not parallel to the capabilities approach for a couple reasons. Under the affiliation category it talks about “non-discrimination policies.” While there is some justification for removing the veils, it is a part of their culture and that should be respected like it is for everyone else. If a Jewish man were sitting in class wearing a Kippah (Yamaka), more often than not, he would not be asked to remove it. In addition to the discrimination they are faced with, they are also not capable of freely exercising their religion like stated under the senses/imagination/thought category. It is not freedom of religion if you have these limitations on when and where or how your religion can be practiced.

                Contrary to the thought that The Capabilities Approach takes away from the autonomy of people by using public policy to define what is a good human life, I think it is helpful to pin point the disparities and unjust opportunities in our society. It should be each individual’s choice how they want to live. Nussbaum stressed this a lot in the reading, not to confuse the list with rules. They are not rules but guidelines. “The respect for choice is built deeply into the list itself, in the role it gives to practical reasoning, to the political liberties, and also to employment, seen as a source of opportunity and empowerment. One of the most central capabilities by the conception will be the capability of choosing itself (Nussbaum, 49).”

                In the example of the Sudi Arabian veils, these women have lost their ability to choose religiously. They should have the ability to practice or express their religion on their own terms. The Capabilities approach allows us to have an outline on opportunities we should have and what we do with them, essentially, is up to each individual.