Catholic Social Tradition and the Capability Approach: An Exploratory Workshop
The Capability Approach developed by Amartya Sen and Martha Nussbaum has emerged as one of the most influential contributions to development discourse in the 20th and the 21st centuries, influencing both grassroots NGOs and the development activities of the United Nations. Catholic Social Tradition (CST), although lesser known, has also played a major role in development work, especially within the context of Church-based and Church-led development initiatives.
This workshop will explore common ground and similarities—as well as crucial differences—between the Capability Approach and Catholic Social Tradition. An exploratory workshop, the dialogue aims to identify key questions and avenues for further research related to three primary areas:
- Concepts of the person
- The role of agency and freedom
- Questions of community, social theory, and political philosophy
Organized by Paolo Carozza, Paul Kollman, C.S.C., and Clemens Sedmak, the workshop is sponsored by the Catholic Social Tradition and Human Development Working Group, a collaboration between the Kellogg Institute and Center for Social Concerns.
Open to faculty and students. For more information, contact Beth Simpson Hlabse.
Registration deadline: Friday, January 27.
Workshop Schedule
8:30–8:45 AM | Opening
Paolo Carozza, Director, Kellogg Institute for International Studies and Professor of Law, University of Notre Dame
8:30–9:45 AM | The Human Person
Anthony DeCesare, Assistant Professor of Educational Foundations, St. Louis University
Discussants:
Clemens Sedmak, Visiting Professor of Catholic Social Tradition and Community Engagement, Center for Social Concerns and Keough School of Global Affairs, University of Notre Dame; FD Maurice Professor of Moral and Social Theology, King’s College London
Ilaria Schnyder von Wartensee, Research Assistant Professor, Kellogg Institute for International Studies, University of Notre Dame
10:00–11:00 AM | The Question of Agency and Freedom
Lori Keleher, Associate Professor of Philosophy, New Mexico State University
Discussant:
Rev. Robert Dowd, C.S.C., Associate Professor of Political Science and Director, Ford Family Program in Human Development Studies and Solidarity, University of Notre Dame
11:15 AM–12:15 PM | The Question of Community and the Individual
Joshua Schulz, Associate Professor of Philosophy, DeSales University
Discussant:
Margaret Pfeil, Associate Professional Specialist in Theology, University of Notre Dame
12:15–12:45 PM | Plenary Discussion
12:45–1:30 PM | Lunch & Closing Remarks
Rev. Paul Kollman, C.S.C., Director, Center for Social Concerns and Professor of Theology, University of Notre Dame
Scheduled event for: