Explain Martha Nussbaum’s capabilities approach.

1. John Locke’s Second Treatise of Government presents his conception of the
reasons why societies are formed and the mechanisms that must be in place in
order to ensure their stability. For him, without the protections of civil society,
we’re left in a “state of nature” that is violent and in which we must take the
law into our own hands. Consider a fictional example from a novel, film,
television show, etc. of your choice that explores Locke’s ideas. (The Walking
Dead is one good example here, but there are many dystopian novels, films,
and TV shows that explore similar terrain.) How does this fictional example
represent and help explain Locke’s ideas?

2. Augustine, Dostoyevsky, and Sartre each present accounts of the link between
free will and moral responsibility. All three examine, in their own unique
ways, the choices we make and how we experience the consequences of
those choices. Consider a fictional character or story that examines the link
between free will and moral responsibility. Use this fictional character or
story to explain one of the accounts of freedom we get from either Augustine,
Dostoyevsky, or Sartre. How does this character or story shed light on the
experience of being free and the responsibility that comes with that freedom?
(In your paper, be sure to explain the philosophical account we read in class
and how it fits in the framework of the fictional narrative.)

3. Explain Martha Nussbaum’s capabilities approach. What problems does she
see in traditional social contract theory? What social and political problems
does she argue it is incapable of addressing? What does her capabilities
approach do differently? How does she see her own approach moving
“beyond the social contract” and addressing pressing political problems? Be
specific, and explain in detail.

4. Select your own topic. If you choose this option, you must clear your topic
with me first.

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