Martha Nussbaum
Philosopher of capabilities and emotions — what people are actually able to do and be.
Overview
One of the most influential living philosophers, Nussbaum works across ethics, politics, law, and the emotions, reviving an Aristotelian concern with human flourishing. With economist Amartya Sen she developed the 'capabilities approach', which measures justice and development not by wealth or preference-satisfaction but by what people are actually able to do and to be. She has argued for the central ethical role of emotions and for a cosmopolitan concern with human dignity worldwide.
What they supported — and why
The capabilities approach
SupportedA just society is measured by whether people have real 'capabilities' — genuine opportunities to achieve central human functionings (life, health, education, affiliation, play, and more).
WhyWealth and even happiness can mask deprivation; what matters is what each person is actually able to do and be, so justice must secure a threshold of capabilities for all.
The intelligence of emotions
SupportedEmotions are not mere irrational feelings but evaluative judgements about what matters to a flourishing life, and are central to ethics.
WhyFeelings like compassion and grief embody appraisals of value, so a full ethical life and good public culture must cultivate the right emotions, not exclude them.
Cosmopolitan dignity and the humanities
SupportedAll humans have equal dignity across borders, and education in the humanities and literature is vital to democratic citizenship and moral imagination.
WhyJustice is owed to every person as such, and the arts cultivate the empathy and critical thought that free, humane societies require.
Causes championed
- Human capabilities and flourishing
- The ethical role of emotions
- Global justice, dignity, and humane education
Issues wrestled with
- How should we measure justice and development?
- What is the role of emotion in ethics?
- What do we owe all human beings?
Hurdles faced
- Bridging rigorous philosophy with real-world policy and economics
- Defending the humanities and universal dignity amid political headwinds
Works & books
2 catalogued. Status shows how much survives to today.
Women and Human Development; Creating Capabilities
SurvivesHer development of the capabilities approach to justice.
Upheavals of Thought; The Fragility of Goodness
SurvivesHer work on the emotions and on ethics, luck, and the good life.
Read the texts free
Their works online — Open Library catalogues 214 works & editions.
The influence network
See Martha Nussbaum in the map →In their words
“The capabilities approach asks a simple question: what is each person actually able to do and to be?”
— Creating Capabilities (paraphrase)
Legacy
A leading living philosopher whose capabilities approach reshaped how the world thinks about justice, poverty, and human development.
Follow their questions
This thinker is a stop on these paths through philosophy.
Further reading
Cross-checked against these authoritative references.