Amartya Sen

Economics Indian 1933 370 quotes

Nobel laureate, capabilities approach to development

Quotes by Amartya Sen

Democracy is not just about voting; it is about public reasoning.

Various lectures

The world is full of diversity, and that diversity is a source of strength, not weakness.

Various lectures

Education is not just about acquiring knowledge; it is about expanding human capabilities.

Various lectures

Health is not just the absence of disease; it is a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being.

Various lectures

Freedom is not just about negative liberty; it is also about positive liberty, the ability to do things.

Various lectures

The pursuit of happiness is not just an individual goal; it is a social responsibility.

Various lectures

The role of the state is not just to provide public goods; it is also to protect human rights.

Various lectures

Global justice requires not just aid, but also fair trade and equitable institutions.

Various lectures

The value of a life is not just in its length, but in its quality.

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The challenge of our time is to combine economic growth with social justice.

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The power of public discussion and democratic practice is a crucial force for preventing famines and other disasters.

Nobel Prize Lecture 1998

The world is not just a collection of individuals; it is a network of interconnected lives.

Various lectures

The importance of human capabilities extends to every aspect of life, from basic survival to the most complex forms of human flourishing.

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The pursuit of knowledge is not just an academic exercise; it is a moral imperative.

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The future of humanity depends on our ability to cooperate and to find common solutions to common problems.

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The idea of a 'global community' is not a utopian dream; it is a practical necessity.

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The role of ethics in economics is not to replace self-interest, but to guide it towards socially beneficial outcomes.

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The human mind is capable of both great good and great evil; our challenge is to cultivate the former and restrain the latter.

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The pursuit of peace is not just the absence of war; it is the presence of justice.

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The power of reason is not limited to scientific inquiry; it extends to moral and political deliberation.

Various lectures