Document Type : Research Paper

Author

• Robin Attfield

Professor of Philosophy, Cardiff University, Christ Church, Stellenbosch University, University of Oxford, UK

Abstract

I have previously argued that human flourishing partly consists in the ability to exercise essential human capacities, many of which are non-distinctive and shared with other animals. The concept of flourishing is itself species-specific. Thus, the development of essential capacities (human and nonhuman) comprises a large part of the goods that we ought to promote. Problems about the definition of ‘essential’ are discussed, as are related issues about whether there are necessary and sufficient conditions for the correct use of sortal universal terms. The relation of the exercise of essential capacities to basic needs is investigated, and the essential nature of the human capacity for meaningful work, which has been disputed by John White, is defended. Finally, some suggestions are offered about what the proponents of the capabilities approach might derive from that of essential capacities.

Keywords

• flourishing
• human good
• essential capacities
• conflicting theories of universal terms
• basic needs
• meaningful work
• consequentialism
• the capabilities approach