Women and Cultural Universals

           There are three different ways we have discussed to measure the quality of life. There is the Utilitarian Approach, the Rawlsian Approach, and Nussbaum’s capabilities approach. The Utilitarian Approach asks people to assess their own well being and the Rawlsian Approach focuses more on goods and resources. In Martha Nussbaum’s, Women and Cultural Universals, Nussbaum’s Capabilities Approach includes a list of central human capabilities that could determine how fulfilled someone’s life is. The idea is that they are basic human needs and although you don’t need to actively live by all of them, if you have the ability to achieve all of them then you are living a fulfilled life. For example, Nussbaum objects to the Utilitarian Approach in saying that when people assess their own well being, they are assessing it based on things that they can access so they lower or higher their expectations on the availability of certain things they can attain.

            Nussbaum’s Capability includes positive aspects of life that would appeal to many people such as, bodily health, emotions, play, etc. I agree with Nussbaum’s objection to the Utilitarian approach because although maybe across the United States, we value the same things and are attracted to the same goods, but in other cultures, material items are not as important or accessible. Therefore, the expectations that I have of what will make me happy are different from the expectations of someone who lives in an impoverished area. With that being said, I believe that a lot of what is included in in Nussbaum’s capabilities are basic rights that could be applied to anyone’s life, although they are not available to everyone. Some people would argue that since some of these capabilities are so out of reach for individuals due to religious or cultural reasons, it is not necessary for fulfillment. For example, the ability to have freedom of religious practice or expression. In some cultures, one religious practice is almost forced and not questioned. Therefore, it is not a determinant factor of happiness. As Nussbaum pointed out, these cultures could be lacking crucial critical reflection on how to live their lives and if given that opportunity, they would also agree that the freedom of religion and expression is essential.

            Martha Nussbaum makes it clear that she understands the cultural universal and that across the globe, there are external challenges and ideals of what creates fulfillment for different individuals. “In general, people frequently adjust their expectations to the low level of well-being they think they can actually attain.” (33) Nussbaum continues to believe that if everyone has a chance to step back from the norms of their own society and time to self reflect, the Capability Approach would appeal to a large number.