Amartya Sen is a distinguished Indian economist whose work delves into critical societal issues, earning him global recognition. He is particularly renowned for his groundbreaking research on the causes of famine, which led to the development of practical strategies for food security. Sen's intellectual contributions primarily focus on welfare economics and the challenges faced by the most disadvantaged members of society. His profound insights bridge economics and philosophy, offering a unique perspective on social justice and human development.
Exploring the intricate relationship between rationality and freedom, this first volume by esteemed economist and philosopher Amartya Sen delves into these complex concepts within philosophy and social sciences. Sen offers clarity and insight into how these ideas influence justice, setting the stage for a deeper understanding in the subsequent volume. Through his analysis, he challenges conventional notions and encourages readers to rethink the significance of rationality in the pursuit of freedom.
Where is 'home'? For Amartya Sen home has been many places - Dhaka in modern Bangladesh where he grew up, the village of Santiniketan where he was raised by his grandparents as much as by his parents, Calcutta where he first studied economics and was active in student movements, and Trinity College, Cambridge, to which he came aged nineteen. Sen brilliantly recreates the atmosphere in each of these. Central to his formation was the intellectually liberating school in Santiniketan founded by Rabindranath Tagore (who gave him his name Amartya) and enticing conversations in the famous Coffee House on College Street in Calcutta. As an undergraduate at Cambridge, he engaged with many of the leading figures of the day. This is a book of ideas - especially Marx, Keynes and Arrow - as much as of people and places. In one memorable chapter, Sen evokes 'the rivers of Bengal' along which he travelled with his parents between Dhaka and their ancestral villages. The historic culture of Bengal is wonderfully explored, as is the political inflaming of Hindu-Muslim hostility and the resistance to it. In 1943, Sen witnessed the Bengal famine and its disastrous development. Some of Sen's family were imprisoned for their opposition to British rule: not surprisingly, the relationship between Britain and India is another main theme of the book. Forty-five years after he first arrived at 'the Gates of Trinity', one of Britain's greatest intellectual foundations, Sen became its Master. -- Provided by publisher
Amartya Sen, a Nobel laureate and esteemed global intellectual, is renowned for his influential contributions to economics, particularly regarding poverty and famine, shaped by his experiences in West Bengal, India. His diverse life journey includes significant ties to Dhaka, Kolkata, and Trinity College, Cambridge, where he interacted with prominent thinkers of his time. This rich background informs his perspectives and insights, making him a pivotal figure in understanding economic challenges worldwide.
With his masterly prose, ease of erudition and ironic humour, Sen is one of
the few great world intellectuals on whom we may rely to make sense out of our
existential confusion Nadime Gordimer
In this deft analysis, Amartya Sen argues that the dictum all men are created equal serves largely to deflect attention from the fact that we differ in age, gender, talents, physical abilities as well as in material advantages and social background. He argues for concentrating on higher and more basic values: individual capabilities and freedom to achieve objectives.
This major philosophical work, by one of the world's leading public intellectuals, constructs a new theory of justice, not from abstract ideals or notions of what perfect institutions and rules might be, but from what the results of a system are practically, in the world.
India is a very diverse country with many distinct pursuits, vastly different convictions, widely divergent customs, and a veritable feast of viewpoints. The Argumentative Indian brings together an illuminating selection of writings from Nobel prize-winning economist Amartya Sen that outline the need to understand contemporary India in the light of its long argumentative tradition. The understanding and use of this rich argumentative tradition are critically important, Sen argues, for the success of India�s democracy, the defence of its secular politics, the removal of inequalities related to class, caste, gender and community, and the pursuit of sub-continental peace.
Exploring India's intellectual and political heritage, this collection of sixteen essays by Amartya Sen highlights the significance of the country's argumentative tradition for its democracy and secularism. The work offers a thorough examination of Indian history and culture, addressing contentious issues such as Hindu traditions, national identity, social and economic inequalities, and India's role on the global stage. Sen provides a nuanced analysis that encourages reflection on the complexities of contemporary Indian society.
