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Moving Towards a Capability for Meaningful Labor

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  • Timothy Weidel

Abstract

Martha Nussbaum argues that the capability approach to human development is grounded in an intuitive conception of what a life worthy of human dignity entails. This image is coupled with a conception of truly human functionings as a measure for development. It is not enough to establish what goods people require, but rather to consider what they can actually do or become with those goods. Nussbaum acknowledges that the philosophical grounding for her list of central human capabilities is influenced by Aristotle through the early Marx. Despite admitting this influence, I argue that Nussbaum's incorporation omits a central facet of Marx's image of truly dignified humans: the importance of meaningful labor. This omission seriously undercuts the possibility of the capabilities approach providing persons with a life worthy of human dignity. In this paper, I develop and defend an argument for including a capability for meaningful labor in Nussbaum's list of central human capabilities. After an explication of Marx's understanding of a fully human life, I will discuss the limits of Nussbaum's capabilities list with respect to the topic of meaningful labor. I also consider how Nussbaum's discussion of a capability to hold property elucidates both the necessity and feasibility of a capability for meaningful labor. Lastly, I consider some potential political implications of this proposed capability.

Suggested Citation

  • Timothy Weidel, 2018. "Moving Towards a Capability for Meaningful Labor," Journal of Human Development and Capabilities, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 19(1), pages 70-88, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:jhudca:v:19:y:2018:i:1:p:70-88
    DOI: 10.1080/19452829.2017.1408575
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Andrew Sayer, 2012. "Capabilities, Contributive Injustice and Unequal Divisions of Labour," Journal of Human Development and Capabilities, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 13(4), pages 580-596, November.
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    Cited by:

    1. Nicolas BUENO, 2021. "Freedom at, through and from work: Rethinking labour rights," International Labour Review, International Labour Organization, vol. 160(2), pages 311-329, June.
    2. Stephens, Thomas C., 2023. "The quality of work (QoW): towards a capability theory," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 119832, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
    3. Stephens, Thomas C., 2023. "Change, stagnation, and polarisation in UK job quality, 2012-2021: evidence from a new Quality of Work index," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 120050, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.

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