Sociological Theory and the Capability Approach

Sociological Theory and the Capability Approach connects normative strands of sociological theory to the fusion of ethics and economics proposed by Amartya Sen's and Martha Nussbaum's capability approach. Spanning classical (Hegel, Marx, Durkheim, Scheler, Weber) and contemporary debates (Parsons, Giddens, Luhmann) it identifies areas that bridge the current gap between sociology and capability approach. It thus builds on explanatory and normative concerns shared by both traditions. Engaging readers from sociology and capability approach, Spiros Gangas suggests that the proposed dialogue should be layered along the main areas of value theory, economy and society, extending this inquiry into the normative meaning attached to being human. To this end, the book reconstructs the notion of agency along the tracks of Nussbaum's central human capabilities, considering also alienation and the sociology of emotions. It concludes by addressing the capability approach through the lens of social institutions before it takes up the challenge of ideological fundamentalism and how it can be effectively confronted by capability approach. This original book provides a fresh perspective on capability approach as it embeds it in the rich pool of sociological theory's accomplishments. As an exercise in theoretical and normative convergence, it will be required reading for academics and students in social theory, cultural theory, philosophy and human development studies.

Spiros Gangas is Associate Professor in the Department of Sociology at Deree-the American College of Greece. His principal areas of research are classical and contemporary sociological theory, value theory, capability approach and film studies.

Introduction Part 1: Values, Economy and Society 1. Valuing Values in Sociology and the Capability Approach 2. Economy and Society: A CA-based synthesis? Part 2: Agency, Alienation and Emotions 3. From Agency to Capabilities: The Capable Social Self 4. From Alienation to Capability Deprivation: Reconstructing a Sociological Concept 5. The Capability Approach and the Sociology of Emotions Part 3: Institutions, Modernity and Fundamentalism 6. 'Capable Institutions'? Rebuilding Social Ethics 7. The Crisis of Capability? Value-Fundamentalism and Solitarist Identity Epilogue