This thesis argues that sustainability as a desideratum of a theory of distributive justice can sometimes help decide what currency we should accept. This applies to the case of two widely...Show moreThis thesis argues that sustainability as a desideratum of a theory of distributive justice can sometimes help decide what currency we should accept. This applies to the case of two widely discussed currency approaches of distributive justice: primary goods and capabilities, both of which are involved in an endless debate on which is best as a currency of distributive justice. I argue that sustainability is necessary for any currency of justice, and that when it is taken into account it is capabilities which come out as victorious against the primary goods. The reason for this is because capabilities can help us think in terms of stability and resilience, key requirements of a sustainable currency of distributive justice.Show less
The question of whether animals should gain rights is not uncommon in contemporary society. The strategy that most scholars use to argue for animal rights is to find a specific characteristic that...Show moreThe question of whether animals should gain rights is not uncommon in contemporary society. The strategy that most scholars use to argue for animal rights is to find a specific characteristic that animals and humans both have and which serves as a basis for attributing rights. This paper, using Martha Nussbaum’s capabilities theory, takes a somewhat different road. One of the biggest concerns Nussbaum has with contractarian theories is that they are persistent in conflating the question of “Who frames the Principles of Justice?” with “Whom are the Principles of Justice framed for?”. Instead of ignoring the rights of certain groups by only focusing on species membership, Nussbaum concentrates on the capabilities every being possesses and the importance of enforcing these capabilities. Her theory has further potential than she imagined; we could use Martha Nussbaum’s capabilities approach to prove that not one, but all capabilities that a being has are important when we design a justice system. Capabilities indicate what a being needs to lead a fulfilled and dignified life. As well as enforcing them, we could also use them as a foundation on which the attribution of rights is decided.Show less
