Question

6. Nussbaum is an essentialist – she thinks it is possible to uncover “a more or less determinate account of the human being, one that divides its essential from its accidental properties.” Why is this supposed to be important for ethics? Explain. Historically, essentialism has faced a number of criticisms. Explain one of those criticisms. How does Nussbaum respond to that criticism? Is the response satisfactory? Why or why not?

Answer 1

As believed by Nussbaum, it is possible to distinguish the essential properties of a human being from the accidental properties that is to have a determinate account of the human being. The essential properties are the ones which are neccesary to characterize the person as a human and the accidental properties are not required but are optional and differ from person to person. For example- it is essential property of a human being to not hurt anyone in any manner or to help even the unknown in case of an accident or an emergency but it is accidental property of a human to have pet dogs or cats because every human cannot be fond of pets. Therefore the distinction between both properties is important for ethics and it is unethical on part of a human being to not possess the essential properties.

Therefore being human and showing humanity towards mankind is a part of ethics and comes under the essential properties whereas the properties which are restricted to particular group or particular individual like being doctor, lawyer, detective, teacher, student etc. are the accidental properties and it is also important for a human to fulfill his professional duties ethically without any compromise on humanity. The concept of human functioning involves basic human capabilities which the society should develop in its citizens.

There were a number of criticisms faced by essentialism and Nussbaum's capability approach. The criticism is that the notion of ethical human life cannot fulfill the normative criterion as desired by Nussbaum. It does not generate the moral or political obligations that the theory of Nussbaum establishes but only generates social relationships. Nussbaum responds to this criticism through reading of Ancient Greek texts and maintains that greek myths and stories identify the essence of human nature. This is done by distinguishing humanness from the life of gods as well as the life of the beasts.