Theory and practice: the ethical core in Amartya Sen’s Weltanschauung
(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 4)
| Topic: GS3 – Economy |
| Context |
|
Amartya Sen’s Approach to Economics
- Professor Bhabatosh Datta described Amartya Sen’s approach to economics as similar to that of Alfred Marshall, considering it a “handmaiden of ethics and a servant of practice.”
- When informed of this, Sen was deeply moved and expressed his gratitude towards his teacher.
Early Exposure to Social Realities
- From his teenage years at Patha Bhavan in Shantiniketan, Sen actively engaged with nearby Adivasi villages.
- He studied their daily lives, struggles, and deprivation firsthand.
- Sen used his bicycle for research on wages, prices, and gender-based nutritional deprivation, particularly during the Bengal Famine of 1943.
- This bicycle, a symbol of his early research, is now displayed in the Nobel Museum.
Ethics and Economics: A Deep Connection
- Sen believes that economics must be rooted in moral philosophy and practical applications, as envisioned by Adam Smith.
- He asserts that economics today must return to its foundational connection with human welfare and ethical dimensions.
The Development of Social Choice Theory
- Sen’s work on Social Choice Theory, which earned him the Nobel Prize in 1998, builds on a 200-year-old tradition from Bentham, Borda, and Condorcet.
- He acknowledges Kenneth Arrow’s contributions and the mathematical challenges posed by Arrow’s “impossible results.”
- Sen sought to address these challenges by expanding the framework beyond utilitarianism and voting theories.
- He believes that Social Choice Theory played a key role in shaping his understanding of the world.
Critique of Utilitarianism and Influence of Karl Marx
- Sen strongly critiques utilitarianism and instead values Karl Marx’s vision of freedom and ethics.
- He regards Marx as the most insightful economist on the transition “from necessity to freedom.”
- According to Sen, Marxian thought provides a clearer role for freedom than any other standard moral philosophical system.
Influence of Kant and Classical Literature
- Sen deeply admires Immanuel Kant for integrating ethics with reason in philosophy.
- He advises reading Kant’s The Moral Law and Critique of Pure Reason for a deeper understanding of ethical reasoning.
- He also draws inspiration from the Sanskrit play Mudrarakshasa, where the protagonist prioritizes nyaya (ethical justice) over niti (fixed rules).
The Core Problem: Inequality
- Sen believes that all global issues originate from some form of inequality.
- He argues that ethical principles must guide practical solutions to these inequalities.
Global Recognition and Legacy
- Nadine Gordimer praised Sen as one of the few great intellectuals who can provide clarity in an era of complexity and conflict.
- His commitment to ethics and justice continues to shape modern economic and social thought.
| Practice Question: Discuss how Amartya Sen’s integration of ethics and economics challenges traditional utilitarian perspectives and contributes to addressing inequality in modern societies. (250 Words /15 marks) |
check more – Did the iron age on Indian soil start from Tamil Nadu?
