The Capability Approach By Amartya Sen

People may say that they are obligated to do something that they may not want to do. An example of this can when someone may say that they don’t want to go to work but they have to go. People do not have to go to work if they do not wish to go otherwise people would not have any income to live on. This is similar to the obesity issue. People feel like they are obligated to eat out all the time because of various issues. Some issues are explained in the essay “Don’t Blame the Eater,” by David Zinczenko. The author asserts that children are suing big corporate companies such as McDonald 's because it is making them fat. He states that it is an issue worth sympathizing with. In this essay, he draws from his past experiences as he grew up stating that the only available options are those of a more affordable to his economic demographic. Such as the ones provided by fast food industries. He continues by stating that he was among the lucky people who were able to escape from obesity due to his decision of joining the navy. Even though he was able to avoid obesity as a life issue, he affirmed that it is very hard for people not to eat fast food when those are the only options a person can pick because there aren’t many healthy options. He adds to this by articulating that even the healthy choices is given by theses fast food industries such as a salad still contain an ample amount of calories. In conclusion, Zinczenko argues that choosing to dine-in at a fast food

John Stuart Mill (1806 – 1873) is recognised as one of the most prolific thinkers of the nineteenth century, whose liberal political philosophy has influenced intellectuals and political theorists for decades (Feinberg, 1986). At the same time, Mill's utilitarian approach to society at large reveals sensibilities and moral considerations that enhance his liberal attitudes in the most surprising ways. According to Losurdo (2011), it is widely believed that Mill is one of the greatest opponents of paternalism, supporting individuals' liberty and autonomy. However, Mill is also accused of overt sentiment, ignorance of natural rights, or a diversion from original conceptions of Utilitarianism. As a result, this essay is concerned with his conception of individuality, as discussed in his On Liberty (1859), investigating how this notion, based on individual liberty and autonomy, opposes social control and paternalistic policies.

Also, he attempts to warn consumers about how unhealthy fast foods really are. He makes a strong point; there is a need for nutritional information about fast food. Having access to the information about the contents and nutritional values of fast food may help one make an informed decision about his food options. However, people need to take accountability for the choices that they make. Choosing fast food is not a forced decision. With the nutritional information and will power at hand, can turn their lives around. When someone walks into a fast food restaurant, he or she is not trapped in there forever; all it takes is for him or her put down the burger and walk

Although I had sufficient meals in morning and evening, I was still hunger during day time. I played tennis on Wednesday. While running on the court, I felt extremely dehydrated and starving. When I hit the ball, I suddenly felt that I was going to fall down because I was shaky and exhausted. I ran to the bathroom and squatted down. I was overwhelmed by my weakness that a sense of insecurity surrounded me. “I am weak”, I told myself, “I can not do this”. I suddenly reflected on my experience in Yemen. I was sitting in the car while I witnessed refugee children knocking on my window and tirelessly begging for food. In their eyes, I saw no anger but fear. All they worried about were the basic need of living: food. Many people, nowadays, fast to lose weight. For them, fasting shows their courage and persistence. They lose the sympathy to the poor who starve to death. However, many poor people, including labors and refugees, have to do heavy manual work for livings. In addition to physical pain, the poor also suffer mentally. For instance, the refugee children are always worrying about their next meals with no sense of secure. They have no hope to their futures. With the experience of working in hunger, I am able to relate my feelings to poor people’s feelings and show empathy toward them.

Hook. Both John Stuart Mill and Peter Singer approach moral philosophy from a utilitarian perspective. In this paper, I will argue that Singer’s and Mill’s utilitarian philosophies share numerous similarities but also differ. Singer and Mill agree on the importance of selflessness, the idea that we can end human suffering, and the significance of consequences. However, their views conflict concerning the relevance of motivation. I contend that Singer improves upon Mill’s utilitarianism since Singer accurately recognizes the discrepancy between a life of absolute affluence and absolute poverty and also wrestles with the intricate concept of motive.

Imagine a world with people that eat nothing, but pure fast food. Fast food for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Some people might say that it is their choice, others might blame the fast food industry because of their weight. In the essay called “Don’t Blame the Eater” by David Zinczenko states that people often eat fast food because they have an active life and do not have time for a healthy lifestyle. In my opinion, I agree with Zinczenko essay because it is reliable, supportive, and states facts because of the context he uses, examples, and his personal experiences. In this essay I will express my position on Zinczenko essay and state reasons why I picked this side.

The aim of this unit is to reflect upon, justify and evaluate my own assessment methods and decisions in my specialist area, which is Employability Skills.

We live in a nation where a large percentage of its inhabitants suffer from economic hardship and are left with no other option but to pick and choose between certain necessities over other fundamental needs due to a lack of financial resources. Many of these people are forced into having to choose between taking their life-saving medications and being able to eat for that day, while others simply have no choice at all. These people simply have no other choice but to go

People’s ability to assess certain courses of action brings about two distinct paths: it either hinders the person’s ability to gauge their surroundings or it enables them to see and act based on a completely new perspective. It is our seemingly competent nature, as generalists, that has led to the rise of the phenomenon known as the “national eating disorder.” Skewing food culture and trend patterns, we have come to trust in our natural aptitude for survival as a way to pave our way through sustaining nourishment while coming into terms with the opportunity costs that accompany all of our decisions. There is something about food that grabs people; it is the individual tastes and textures, the unique stories of each and every ingredient that is used to make food, and the smell of spices that brings familiarity that

“The biggest enemy of health in the developing world is poverty” (Annan). It creates ill-health conditions which forces individuals to live in certain unpleasant environments without proper shelter, clothing, and most importantly food. “In the United States, the overall poverty rate climbed to 15.1 percent, or 46.2 million, up from 14.3 percent in 2009. The official poverty level is an annual income of $22,314 for a family of four (The Census Bureau).” Based on the statistics above, one is left to wonder how an individual can survive on such an income, far less for being able to purchase and consume affordable nutritious meals. It is often argued that life is full of choices and one can choose to adopt a lifestyle of healthy eating, but what happens when poverty strikes and there is no choice but to try to survive?

Americans have choices, whether it be to go anywhere they want, watch anything they want, say anything they want or even eat anything they want. The diet choices seem to be the hardest of them all as Brian Wansink explains in his book Mindless Eating. He talks about all the choices one has as they go through life day to day and how one’s surroundings may contribute to the choices they make. When it comes to food, we think we make all the choices, but some beg to differ. Wansink believes that we can eat better just as easily as we over eat. He says on his website, “It’s easier to change our environment than to change our mind”. In an environment of many choices, this is one choice that a consumer cannot make themselves because

Singer claims people in affluent societies are acting immorally in their response to world poverty. From his perspective, we are in a position to prevent something bad from happening at little cost to ourselves. So our actions, rather than promoting good are preventing an unnecessary evil. Thus donating to prevent famine is a duty, not a charity, and we are required give to the point of marginal utility. I hold, Singer’s approach is not the correct course of action as it would impinge upon the autonomy of individuals such as their ability to advance themselves and result in unintended damaging repercussions. I will now elaborate on Singer’s argument.

While self-assigning a capability score is extremely bias decision, I believe that my score would be “10”. I am certain that with the proper training and motivation, I have competence to perform any task. Years ago, I would have stated otherwise but unrelentingly proved my self-doubt wrong in countless circumstances.

Self-assessments are a journey of understanding and discovery, there are no right or wrong answers when it comes to the results of

Amartya Sen defines economic development in terms of personal freedom, freedom to choose from a range of options. While economic growth may lead to an increase in the purchasing power of people, if the country has a repressed economy, there is lack of choice and hence personal freedom in restricted. Hence once again growth has taken place without any development. While economic growth may result in an improvement in the standard of living of a relatively small proportion of the population whilst the majority of the population remains poor. It is how the economic growth is distributed amongst the population that determines the level of development.