Paper short abstract:

The Capability Theory of Personal Peacefulness (CTPP) blends the Capability Approach with personal peace, incorporating insights from positive, peace psychology and Galtung's peace theory. CTPP offers a holistic view of well-being, integrating inner peace with external capabilities to enhance human flourishing.

Paper long abstract:

The Capability Theory of Personal Peacefulness (CTPP) represents a pioneering exploration into the synthesis of the Capability Approach with integral aspects of personal peacefulness, drawing upon the rich insights of positive psychology, peace psychology, and Johan Galtung's Mini Theory of Peace. This paper aims to elucidate the contours of CTPP, positioning it as a critical framework that bridges the multiple dimensions of human capabilities with personal peacefulness, thereby expanding the evaluative space of the Capability Approach.

At the heart of the Capability Approach, articulated by Amartya Sen and expanded by Martha Nussbaum and others, lies the emphasis on what individuals can do and be - their capabilities and functionings - which serve as the bedrock for assessing well-being and social justice. However, traditional expositions of this approach have predominantly centred on external, observable capabilities and functionings, often overlooking the personal aspect of peacefulness, which is pivotal for a genuinely comprehensive conception of well-being. Personal peacefulness has yet to be explicitly highlighted as a distinct area within this framework. However, personal peacefulness influences one's ability to make choices, pursue goals, and engage with the various capabilities the approach emphasises. Recognising this critical gap, the CTPP introduces personal peacefulness as an essential component within the grand framework of the Capability Approach.

Drawing valuable insights from positive psychology, the CTPP aligns with the field's focus on cultivating positive emotions, strengths, and virtues that contribute to a fulfilling life. Similarly, peace psychology's emphasis on the psychological processes that foster peace and mitigate conflict resonates with the CTPP's aim to integrate principles of peace into personal and social domains. Furthermore, Johan Galtung's not-so-celebrated Mini Theory of Peace, distinguishing between negative and positive peace, provides a nuanced understanding of peace that transcends the mere absence of conflict, advocating for harmonious relationships. Recognising personal peacefulness as a critical component could encourage a more holistic examination of well-being within the Capability Approach, aligning with its goal of enhancing human flourishing in diverse and comprehensive ways.

The modular view of the Capability Approach delineated by Robeyen, encompassing core concepts, optional modules with variable content, and contingent elements, offers a versatile framework for situating personal peacefulness within the broader discourse on capabilities and functionings. Pursuing an exploration through the modular view of the Capability Approach, this paper reveals the nuances and underpinnings of CTPP, presenting it as a valid capability theory of Personal Peacefulness.