Blog #9

Nussbaum’s piece “The Central Human Capabilities” seems to be largely inspired by Rawls work, which she refers to several times throughout this piece. Although, it makes reference to Rawls work a lot in this piece, it is still more concrete and somewhat less abstract than Rawls. One of the key arguments in this piece, however, seems to be based on the concept of capability versus functioning, whereas Rawls concept was based upon social equality through fairness.
Nussbaum tries to clearly illustrate the differences between capability and functioning. She describes functioning as what the person does based on descriptions she uses such as a female who can choose to function sexually versus one who can’t due to genital mutilation (Jacobus 219). This example illustrates how a female who hasn’t experience genital mutilation has the capability to function sexually, and if she does so that is how she chooses to function. However, she can also chose not to function sexually. Through examples like this Nussbaum is able to explain her idea of functioning.
She also uses this example of genital mutilation to explain the difference between capability and functioning. For instance a person who has experienced genital mutilation doesn’t have the capability to have sexual pleasure because she can’t function sexually. So this woman is denied that function because she is not capable. This differs from a woman who hasn’t experienced genital mutilation because although she may not chose to function sexually she has the capability.
So basically, the difference between capability and functioning is that capability means the ability to perform a function whereas functioning is the actually act of caring out that ability or not caring out that ability. These concepts of capability and functions seems to be the picture painted by Nussbaum.

Works Cited
Nussbaum, Martha C. “The Central Human Functional Capabilities.” A World of Ideas: Essential Readings for College Writers .Ed. Lee A Jacobus. 7th ed. New York: Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2006. pp.213-221.