From fact/value entanglement to the revival of classical political economy: Walsh’s contribution to the capability approach literature

This paper examines Walsh’s interdisciplinary contribution to the capability ap- proach literature and its differences from Sen’s well-known framework. In this re- spect, Walsh’s capability approach had its origins in the fact/value entanglement and continued his development through the idea of an ‘ethics without ontology’. Based on the concept of individuals’ achievements, which anticipated Sen’s notion of function- ings, Walsh’s proposal appears more strongly rooted in the dialogue between ethics and economics. This comparison between Sen and Walsh clarifies their respective contributions in the capability approach literature, in turn, providing more specific insights into Sen’s role in the revival of classical political economy through Walsh’s interpretation. Within this complex analysis, Sen’s position reveals a less interdisci- plinary and more mainstream methodological perspective than is usually associated with his thought. This issue makes his endorsement of the dialogue between ethics and economics more controversial than Walsh’s, who was a rather radical and consistent supporter of this methodological entanglement.