Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
ii. Having the social bases of self-respect and nonhumiliation; being
able to be treated as a dignified being whose worth is equal to
that of others. This entails provisions of nondiscrimination on
the basis of race, sex, sexual orientation, ethnicity, caste, religion,
national origin, and species.
• Other species.
Being able to live with concern for and in relation to
animals, plants, and the world of nature.
• Play.
Being able to laugh, to play, and to enjoy recreational activities.
• Control over one's environment
.
i.
Political.
Being able to participate effectively in political choices
that govern one's life; having the right of political participation,
protections of free speech, and association.
ii.
Material.
Being able to hold property (both land and movable
goods), and having property rights on an equal basis with oth-
ers; having the right to seek employment on an equal basis with
others; having the freedom from unwarranted search and sei-
zure. In work, being able to work as a human, exercising practi-
cal reason, and entering into meaningful relationships of mutual
recognition with other workers.
The capability approach is a type of universal human rights approach,
which respects pluralism in six forms:
1. The list is open-ended.
2. The items must be specified in an abstract and generalizable way, to
allow for national differences in implementation.
3. The list is a freestanding “partial moral conception,” only used for
political goals and without metaphysical foundation.
4. The right political target is the human capability rather than the cor-
responding functioning.
5. Pluralism protecting freedoms such as freedom of opinion, assem-
bling, and of conscience are central items on the list.
6. Problems of justification and of implementation should be separated.
State sovereignty should in principle be respected (Nussbaum 2006,
pp. 78 -79).
13.2.4.1 International Capability Approach
In her international capability approach, Nussbaum assumes that people pos-
sess an ethical reason and sociability. Cicero, the Roman Stoics, and Grotius
have also assumed this before her. Humans are beings with a common good,
