Development and freedom in Sen and Gutiérrez. Religious and secular common grounds

It is often supposed that those who base their view of the world upon perceived religious truth and those who do not will be unable to engage in deep and mutual conversation, for their basic assumptions are just too different. In this paper I compare the views of Amartya Sen and Gustavo Gutiérrez on development and human freedom, finding them to share a very great deal in attitude, in fundamental concern, and in intellectual method, even though the former describes himself as without religion, while the latter is profoundly theological. This comparison is of interest and importance both in its own right and as an example of the way the theologically –minded can meaningfully converse with those who are not; more than converse, establish a common project or program.

Keywords

Economy and religion, Sociological economics

JEL Classification

A13, Z12, Z13