The Capability Approach Measuring Human Potential and Well being- Amartya Sen

The capability approach is a framework for evaluating human well-being by focusing on what people are actually able to do and be. Developed by Amartya Sen and Martha Nussbaum, this theory prioritizes individual freedom and dignity over traditional economic metrics like income or output. These principles directly influenced the creation of the Human Development Index (HDI), which assesses national progress through health, education, and living standards. Modern scholarship also applies this model to inclusive education, arguing that true equality for persons with disabilities requires tailored opportunities rather than just equal resources. By emphasizing human diversity, the approach shifts the focus of global policy toward personal agency and the expansion of life choices. This perspective challenges utilitarianism by insisting that justice must be measured by the real-world ability of every person to lead a life they value.