Amartya Sen and the Construction of the New Theory of Justice: An Analytical Study

Abstract

This study explores the concept of justice as a fundamental aspiration pursued by all societies and social groups. As a complex and contested notion, justice is shaped by multiple determinants, and has been examined by various perspectives and academic disciplines. The study highlights a central issue concerning the intellectual foundations of Amartya Sen's theory of justice, aiming to understand the nature and construction of its principles and fondations. Using an analytical approach — supported by secondary methodologies—the research enabled an accurate describtion and critical analysis of Sen's conception of justice. It investigates the philosophical underpinnings premises of his thought and explains how his theory differs from other justice theories. The study concludes that Amartya Sen's approach stands out through its emphasis on the relationship between actual realities and normative ideals, the interconnection between economics and ethics, and the strong linkage between objective freedom, the capability approach, and social choice.