Martha Nussbaum and Amartya Sen (eds)
- Published in print:
- 1993
- Published Online:
- November 2003
- ISBN:
- 9780198287971
- eISBN:
- 9780191596704
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/0198287976.001.0001
- Subject:
- Economics and Finance, Development, Growth, and Environmental
This volume gathers the thoughts of reputed academics in economics, social policy, philosophy, and the social sciences as they scrutinize contentions regarding quality of life and the way in which it ...
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This volume gathers the thoughts of reputed academics in economics, social policy, philosophy, and the social sciences as they scrutinize contentions regarding quality of life and the way in which it is, it can be, and ought to be measured. Such debates roughly boil down to the merits and shortcomings of measuring the quality of human life in terms of utility, as well as to the advantages and pitfalls of alternatives to the utilitarian approach. Philosophical inquiries concerning what constitutes thriving human life, engage with concrete policy‐making and economic considerations in this work, bridging the customary schism between theory and practice. This book is catered not only to professional academics but also to policy‐makers and the general public who are interested in the question of the quality of life.Less
This volume gathers the thoughts of reputed academics in economics, social policy, philosophy, and the social sciences as they scrutinize contentions regarding quality of life and the way in which it is, it can be, and ought to be measured. Such debates roughly boil down to the merits and shortcomings of measuring the quality of human life in terms of utility, as well as to the advantages and pitfalls of alternatives to the utilitarian approach. Philosophical inquiries concerning what constitutes thriving human life, engage with concrete policy‐making and economic considerations in this work, bridging the customary schism between theory and practice. This book is catered not only to professional academics but also to policy‐makers and the general public who are interested in the question of the quality of life.
Roy Carr-Hill
- Published in print:
- 2019
- Published Online:
- May 2020
- ISBN:
- 9781447348214
- eISBN:
- 9781447348269
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Policy Press
- DOI:
- 10.1332/policypress/9781447348214.003.0021
- Subject:
- Sociology, Social Research and Statistics
This chapter reviews and critiques the various approaches to measuring social well-being. Economists have tried to argue for a single consistent criterion (based on money) but have mostly been ...
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This chapter reviews and critiques the various approaches to measuring social well-being. Economists have tried to argue for a single consistent criterion (based on money) but have mostly been ignored. Instead, there have been three main approaches: first, the postulate that there is a minimum set of basic needs, which should be satisfied for everyone; second the investigation into people's quality of life, whether ‘objectively’ measured or self-reported; and third the eclectic compilation of administrative and survey data according to a list of 'concerns'. There are theoretical and practical problems with the first two approaches. For the third approach, the measurement of social well-being should reflect the variety of ways in which people order their lives. Of course, there are some overbearing constraints, such as the threat of poverty or war; but, within those constraints, there are a multitude of modes of living so that the definition and specification of the elements of well-being should accordingly vary. We introduce two distinctive characteristics: first, beyond certain minima, it is not always clear how 'more' consumption adds to welfare; second, we emphasise the monitoring collective well-being both in terms of inequality and human rights and in terms of reducing ecological damage.Less
This chapter reviews and critiques the various approaches to measuring social well-being. Economists have tried to argue for a single consistent criterion (based on money) but have mostly been ignored. Instead, there have been three main approaches: first, the postulate that there is a minimum set of basic needs, which should be satisfied for everyone; second the investigation into people's quality of life, whether ‘objectively’ measured or self-reported; and third the eclectic compilation of administrative and survey data according to a list of 'concerns'. There are theoretical and practical problems with the first two approaches. For the third approach, the measurement of social well-being should reflect the variety of ways in which people order their lives. Of course, there are some overbearing constraints, such as the threat of poverty or war; but, within those constraints, there are a multitude of modes of living so that the definition and specification of the elements of well-being should accordingly vary. We introduce two distinctive characteristics: first, beyond certain minima, it is not always clear how 'more' consumption adds to welfare; second, we emphasise the monitoring collective well-being both in terms of inequality and human rights and in terms of reducing ecological damage.
