Sex and Social Justice

Martha Nussbaum's essays in Sex and Social Justice advocate for a feminist philosophy grounded in universal values of human dignity, equal worth, and autonomy. She argues that society shapes individual desires and that a just society must foster the capacities for human flourishing for all individuals. Nussbaum critiques postmodern objections to liberal universalism, emphasizing that her approach supports basic capacities and opportunities, allowing individuals to choose their own paths to flourishing. Her work draws on realistic assessments of human needs and capacities, informed by her collaborations with international organizations and women's groups. Nussbaum's approach is a philosophical adaptation of the "capabilities approach," which evaluates public policy based on its ability to advance individual capacities for essential human functioning.1