My 8 years PhD journey (part time) was a conversation with Amartya Sen, especially with his idea of Capability Approach.
So I had great expectations in attending the The Human Development and Capability Association (HDCA) in Tokyo, where Sen also attended.
First I was surprised to learn that wide areas of studies apply the idea of Capability, such as Education and Health. Since I learned Capability within the context of Development study, I could not follow a lot of the jargon and ideas that were used.
Secondly, I was shocked (rather negatively) with the many presentations that applied Capability within an incorrect and narrow concept, such as using technologies itself become Capability.
Technology is only tool. Using technology is one of the choices to achieve human's freedom to be a valuable person.
Thirdly, I was also negatively shocked that I could not ask question to those researchers about the validity of their use of Capability. Mr Hiroaki Matsuura of Shoin University who chaired one of the sessions even declined my question.
However, I was pleased to discuss with many participants about the use of Capability in research, and find many research unfortunately use of it for prestige. We also discussed the unfortunate fact that criticism of its use is almost taboo for these studies. It may be about losing their face.
On the final day of the conference, I was pleased to share these fundamental issues with members of the Association which was established by Amartya Sen himself in 2004.
