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On the Measurement of Human Well-being: Fuzzy Set Theory and Sen's Capability Approach

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  • Mina Baliamoune-Lutz

Abstract

Sen's influential work on human development has led economists to explore new areas that have become increasingly important for human well-being. In particular, Sen emphasizes the importance of the 'freedom to choose'. Freedom, however, is not always an exact (crisp) outcome, and membership in the freedom space can take place gradually. This paper proposes a framework that uses fuzzy-set theory to measure human well-being in consistence with Sen's Capability Approach.

Suggested Citation

  • Mina Baliamoune-Lutz, 2004. "On the Measurement of Human Well-being: Fuzzy Set Theory and Sen's Capability Approach," WIDER Working Paper Series RP2004-16, World Institute for Development Economic Research (UNU-WIDER).
    • Handle: RePEc:unu:wpaper:rp2004-16
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Bao, Yan Xi & Liao, Ting Xuan, 2021. "Capability Approach: Reconciling the Absolute Core and the Multidimensional Relative Poverty Measures," MPRA Paper 111333, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    2. Mina Baliamoune-Lutz & Mark McGillivray, 2006. "Fuzzy Well-being Achievement in Pacific Asia," Journal of the Asia Pacific Economy, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 11(2), pages 168-177.
    3. Lazim Abdullah, 2011. "Poverty Lines Based on Fuzzy Sets Theory and its Application to Malaysian Data," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 104(1), pages 117-127, October.
    4. Jürgen Volkert & Friedrich Schneider, 2011. "The Application of the Capability Approach to High-Income OECD Countries: A Preliminary Survey," CESifo Working Paper Series 3364, CESifo.
    5. Leßmann, Ortrud, 2011. "Empirische Studien zum Capability Ansatz auf der Grundlage von Befragungen: Ein Überblick," UFZ Discussion Papers 4/2011, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ), Division of Social Sciences (ÖKUS).
    6. Wolff, Hendrik & Chong, Howard & Auffhammer, Maximilian, 2008. "Consequences of Data Error in Aggregate Indicators: Evidence from the Human Development Index," CUDARE Working Papers 6502, University of California, Berkeley, Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics.
    7. Mina Baliamoune-Lutz & Mark McGillivray, 2008. "State Fragility: Concept and Measurement," WIDER Working Paper Series RP2008-44, World Institute for Development Economic Research (UNU-WIDER).
    8. Audrey Verdier‐Chouchane & Karagueuzian Charlotte, 2016. "Working Paper 239 - Concept and measure of inclusive health across countries," Working Paper Series 2347, African Development Bank.
    9. Kojo Appiah-Kubi & Edward Amanning-Ampomah & Christian Ahortor, 2007. "Multi-Dimensional Analysis of Poverty in Ghana Using Fuzzy Sets Theory," Working Papers PMMA 2007-21, PEP-PMMA.
    10. AfDB AfDB, 2006. "Working Paper 83 - Are African Countries Richer Than They Are Developed? A Multidimensional Analysis of Well-Being," Working Paper Series 2217, African Development Bank.
    11. BILOA ESSIMI Jean Aristide, BEJA & CHAMENI NEMBUA Célestin, CNC & MIAMO WENDJI Clovis, MWC, 2012. "A subgroup decomposition of inequality of poverty in Cameroon," MPRA Paper 38141, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    12. Sabina Alkire, 2008. "Concepts and Measures of Agency," OPHI Working Papers 9, Queen Elizabeth House, University of Oxford.
    13. A., Rjumohan, 2017. "Fuzzy Set Theory: A Primer," MPRA Paper 101875, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    14. Ewa Lechman, 2013. "Human Poverty – Measuring Relative Deprivation From Basic Achievements. A Comparative Study For 144 World Countries In The Time Span 1990-2010," GUT FME Working Paper Series A 11, Faculty of Management and Economics, Gdansk University of Technology.
    15. Giuseppe Munda, 2012. "Intensity of preference and related uncertainty in non-compensatory aggregation rules," Theory and Decision, Springer, vol. 73(4), pages 649-669, October.
    16. Diallo, Fatoumata Lamarana, 2010. "Analysing multidimensional poverty in Guinea: A fuzzy set approach," MERIT Working Papers 2010-041, United Nations University - Maastricht Economic and Social Research Institute on Innovation and Technology (MERIT).
    17. Wolff, Hendrik & Chong, Howard & Auffhammer, Maximilian, 2009. "Human Development Index: Are Developing Countries Misclassified? (former title: "Consequences of Data Error in Aggregate Indicators: Evidence from the Human Development Index)," 2009 Annual Meeting, July 26-28, 2009, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 49763, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association.
    18. Wenjing Han & Yang Fu & Wen Sun, 2023. "Farmland Transfer Participation and Rural Well-Being Inequality: Evidence from Rural China with the Capability Approach," Land, MDPI, vol. 12(7), pages 1-21, June.
    19. BILOA, Rodrigue Gabriel, 2020. "Privation Multidimensionnelle Et Bien-Etre Non Monétaire Au Cameroun: Une Approche Par La Logique Floue [Multidimensional Deprivation And Non-Monetary Well-Being In Cameroon: An Approach Using Fuzz," MPRA Paper 100468, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    20. AfDB AfDB, 2006. "Working Paper 83 - Are African Countries Richer Than They Are Developed? A Multidimensional Analysis of Well-Being," Working Paper Series 2297, African Development Bank.
    21. Nayak, Purusottam, 2013. "Methodological Developments in Human Development Literature," MPRA Paper 50608, University Library of Munich, Germany.

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