Amartya Sen : A Life dedicated to Economics , Philosophy and Social Justice
Early Life and Education:
Amartya Kumar Sen was born on November 3, 1933, in Santiniketan, Bengal Presidency, British India (now in West Bengal, India), to Ashutosh Sen, a professor of chemistry at Dhaka University, and Amita Sen, a homemaker. He hailed from a scholarly family deeply entrenched in education and intellectual pursuits.
Growing up, Sen was influenced by the ethos of Santiniketan, the school founded by Rabindranath Tagore. His education began at Santiniketan's Visva-Bharati University before he moved to Kolkata (then Calcutta) for higher studies. He completed his undergraduate degree in economics at Presidency College, Kolkata (now Presidency University), and then went on to pursue his master's degree in the same subject from the University of Calcutta.
Sen's academic prowess earned him a scholarship to Trinity College, Cambridge, where he completed his undergraduate degree in 1956 and subsequently earned his Ph.D. in Economics in 1959. His doctoral dissertation, "The Choice of Techniques," was supervised by the eminent economist Joan Robinson.
Academic Career:
Following his doctoral studies, Sen held various academic positions, including a professorship at the University of Oxford, where he taught from 1977 to 1988. He also served as a visiting professor at various prestigious universities around the world.
Throughout his career, Sen made significant contributions to several fields, including welfare economics, social choice theory, development economics, ethics, and political philosophy. He is renowned for his work on poverty and famine, as well as his advocacy for the poor and marginalized.
Contributions to Economics:
Social Choice Theory:
One of Sen's earliest and most influential contributions was in the field of social choice theory. In his seminal work, "Collective Choice and Social Welfare" (1970), he challenged the traditional utilitarian approach to welfare economics, arguing for a broader consideration of individual preferences and freedoms. Sen introduced the concept of "social choice function," which considers not only individual welfare but also interpersonal comparisons of well-being.
Poverty and Famine:
Sen's research on poverty and famine has had a profound impact on development economics. His book "Poverty and Famines: An Essay on Entitlement and Deprivation" (1981) challenged conventional explanations of famines, arguing that they are not solely the result of food scarcity but also of inequalities in entitlements and distribution. He introduced the concept of "entitlements," which refers to the legal and social rights that enable individuals to access food and other necessities.
Capability Approach:
Central to Sen's work in welfare economics is the capability approach, which he developed in collaboration with philosopher Martha Nussbaum. The capability approach focuses on individuals' substantive freedoms to lead lives they have reason to value, rather than solely on their material resources or utility. Sen argues that enhancing people's capabilities should be the primary goal of development policies, rather than merely increasing income or GDP.
Development Economics:
Sen's contributions to development economics extend beyond his work on poverty and famine. He has written extensively on topics such as social development, gender inequality, education, healthcare, and social justice. His research emphasizes the importance of investing in human capabilities and empowering marginalized groups to achieve sustainable development.
Awards and Recognition:
Amartya Sen's groundbreaking contributions to economics and philosophy have been widely recognized with numerous awards and honors. In 1998, he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences for his contributions to welfare economics and social choice theory. The Nobel Committee praised Sen for his work on poverty and famines, highlighting his efforts to improve the living conditions of the world's poorest people.
Sen has also received several other prestigious awards, including the Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian award, in 1999. He has been honored with honorary doctorates from universities worldwide and is a Fellow of several academic societies, including the British Academy and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.
Later Career and Advocacy:
In addition to his academic work, Sen has been actively involved in public policy and advocacy. He has served as an advisor to governments, international organizations, and non-governmental organizations on issues related to development, social justice, and human rights.
Sen has been a vocal critic of economic inequality and injustice, advocating for policies that prioritize the well-being of the most vulnerable members of society. He has also been an advocate for democracy and human rights, arguing that political freedoms are essential for promoting social and economic development.
Personal Life:
Amartya Sen has been married three times. His first marriage was to Nabaneeta Dev Sen, a prominent Bengali writer, with whom he has two daughters, Antara and Nandana. After their divorce, he married Eva Colorni, an Italian economist, who tragically passed away from cancer in 1985. In 1991, Sen married Emma Rothschild, a historian and professor at Harvard University, with whom he shares a deep intellectual partnership.
Sen is known for his humility, intellectual curiosity, and commitment to social justice. Despite his international acclaim, he remains deeply connected to his roots in Bengal and continues to engage with issues affecting the developing world.
Legacy:
Amartya Sen's intellectual legacy is vast and enduring. His contributions to economics, philosophy, and public policy have reshaped our understanding of poverty, welfare, and development. Through his advocacy for human rights and social justice, he has inspired generations of scholars, policymakers, and activists to work towards a more just and equitable world.
Sen's ideas continue to influence academic research, public policy debates, and grassroots movements around the globe. His emphasis on the importance of human capabilities, freedoms, and social institutions has had a profound impact on our collective understanding of what it means to live a good life and build a more inclusive society.
Amartya Sen's life and work exemplify the power of scholarship to effect positive change in the world. As a pioneering economist, philosopher, and public intellectual, he has dedicated his career to advancing knowledge and advocating for the well-being of the most vulnerable members of society. His legacy will endure for generations to come, inspiring future generations to continue the pursuit of social justice, equality, and human flourishing.