Abstract
Economist and Nobel Prize winner Amartya Sen is known for his interest in human rationality. In considering rationality Sen brings forth the idea of the so-called reasoned scrutiny of thinking, which is essential also to his concept of human freedom. The recognition of the relevance of Aristotle and Adam Smith to Sen's thinking has already opened up the historical-philosophical basis of Sen's thinking. Kantian basis has, however, remained un-sufficiently recognized. By focusing on Immanuel Kant's account of reflective, especially aesthetic reflective judgments, we can see how it appears as a model for Sen's reasoned scrutiny of thinking. The recognition of the Kantian nature of Sen's thinking opens up a new perspective to Sen's critique of various narrow understandings of human rationality.
Walter de Gruyter 2011
