Question:
Let us consider the cases of Shweta and Rani. While Shweta has access to, and can afford to buy good quality dairy products, she and her spouse decide to pursue a vegan lifestyle. Therefore, she no longer buys milk or dairy-based products for her family. Rani’s family on the other hand, has a meagre income. Although Rani’s children like milk and kheer, Rani refrains from buying milk and instead spends on rice.
In light of the concepts of functioning and capability as defined by Martha Nussbaum, which one of the following options holds for the above cases?
Let us consider the cases of Shweta and Rani. While Shweta has access to, and can afford to buy good quality dairy products, she and her spouse decide to pursue a vegan lifestyle. Therefore, she no longer buys milk or dairy-based products for her family. Rani’s family on the other hand, has a meagre income. Although Rani’s children like milk and kheer, Rani refrains from buying milk and instead spends on rice.
In light of the concepts of functioning and capability as defined by Martha Nussbaum, which one of the following options holds for the above cases?
In light of the concepts of functioning and capability as defined by Martha Nussbaum, which one of the following options holds for the above cases?
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In Nussbaum’s framework, capability is about the real opportunities available to a person, while functioning refers to what they have achieved with those opportunities.
Updated On: Nov 21, 2025
- They differ on the basis of capability
- They differ on the basis of functioning
- They differ on the basis of both functioning and capability
- They do not differ since the end-result is the same in both
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The Correct Option is A
Solution and Explanation
Step 1: Understanding the concepts of functioning and capability.
In Martha Nussbaum’s framework, "functioning" refers to what a person can actually do (their achievements), whereas "capability" refers to the real opportunities they have to achieve things. Shweta and Rani differ in their capabilities, as Shweta has the financial freedom to choose a vegan lifestyle, while Rani is constrained by her financial situation. Therefore, their differing capabilities affect their choices.
Step 2: Analyzing the options.
- (A) They differ on the basis of capability: This is correct, as the difference in their financial situations reflects a difference in their capabilities to make choices.
- (B) They differ on the basis of functioning: This is incorrect, as both women’s functioning might involve similar dietary choices, but their capabilities are different.
- (C) They differ on the basis of both functioning and capability: This is incorrect because the primary difference is in their capabilities, not their actual functioning.
- (D) They do not differ since the end-result is the same in both: This is incorrect, as the end-result is achieved through different capabilities, not identical circumstances.
Step 3: Conclusion.
The correct answer is (A) because their difference lies in their capabilities rather than their actual functioning.
In Martha Nussbaum’s framework, "functioning" refers to what a person can actually do (their achievements), whereas "capability" refers to the real opportunities they have to achieve things. Shweta and Rani differ in their capabilities, as Shweta has the financial freedom to choose a vegan lifestyle, while Rani is constrained by her financial situation. Therefore, their differing capabilities affect their choices.
Step 2: Analyzing the options.
- (A) They differ on the basis of capability: This is correct, as the difference in their financial situations reflects a difference in their capabilities to make choices.
- (B) They differ on the basis of functioning: This is incorrect, as both women’s functioning might involve similar dietary choices, but their capabilities are different.
- (C) They differ on the basis of both functioning and capability: This is incorrect because the primary difference is in their capabilities, not their actual functioning.
- (D) They do not differ since the end-result is the same in both: This is incorrect, as the end-result is achieved through different capabilities, not identical circumstances.
Step 3: Conclusion.
The correct answer is (A) because their difference lies in their capabilities rather than their actual functioning.
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