I thought it would be interesting to discuss Sen's references to economics, markets, and utility maximization as this falls in line with many of our prior readings. Sen's capabilities outlook provides, in my opinion, a better reason for a free market. He writes, "it can still be argued that there is some social loss involved in denying people the right to interact economically with each other." Markets do provide efficiency, but this is not the primary reason we should support them. When describing a the scenario of economic efficiency under a dictator, Sen adds, "[a citizen] may still have very good reason to prefer the scenario of free choice over that of submission to order."
I think this is why I like Sen so much. He gives grounded (moral?) reasons for operating a state in a certain way. It's not just that a state should produce the best outcomes (although I know he is a consequentialist), but the intrinsic significance of ensuring freedoms is also valued. He seems to find a way to rationalize the realization of the best outcomes in a way that is morally sound.
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