Much of the twentieth century debate regarding economics revolved around the contested roles of the state and the market. The outcome of this debate largely deprived economics of the moral compass that was once one of its hallmarks. In this regard, Sen made a significant contribution in placing ethics back into the theory of economics by focusing his work on the long-neglected relationship between the two subjects and challenging the philosophical foundations of traditional economic theory, arguing that although, in principle, economic behaviour and moral disposition might be separated, in practice, both are deeply intertwined. Ethical concerns inevitably infiltrate even a good deal of positive and normative economics. In recent years, there has been a call from within economics to humanize economics by reviving its ethical tradition. Consequently, the moral dimensions of economic life are now subject to reflection and constant negotiation. This reinterpretation may deal with overall economic relations or it could be related to one specific aspect. The former focuses on reviving the economic system as a whole while the latter aims to improve the system by focusing on existing limitations. In examining the relationship between economics and philosophy, this paper draws on one of the principal areas of Sen’s economic research, the capability approach, to explore how Sen’s ethical philosophy delineates engagement between economics and moral philosophy.

20 世纪关于经济学的大部分争论都围绕着国家和市场的竞争角色展开。这场辩论的结果在很大程度上剥夺了经济学曾经是其标志之一的道德指南针。在这方面，森通过将工作重点放在两个学科之间长期被忽视的关系上并挑战传统经济理论的哲学基础，在将伦理学重新纳入经济学理论方面做出了重大贡献，他认为尽管原则上，经济行为和道德倾向可能是分开的，在实践中，两者是紧密相连的。伦理问题不可避免地会渗透到很多积极和规范的经济学中。近年来，经济学内部一直呼吁通过恢复其伦理传统来使经济学人性化。所以，经济生活的道德层面现在需要反思和不断协商。这种重新解释可能涉及整体经济关系，也可能与某个特定方面有关。前者侧重于振兴整个经济体系，而后者旨在通过关注现有限制来改善体系。在考察经济学与哲学之间的关系时，本文利用森的经济研究的主要领域之一——能力方法，来探索森的伦理哲学如何描绘经济学和道德哲学之间的关系。前者侧重于振兴整个经济体系，而后者旨在通过关注现有限制来改善体系。在考察经济学与哲学之间的关系时，本文利用森的经济研究的主要领域之一——能力方法，来探索森的伦理哲学如何描绘经济学和道德哲学之间的关系。前者侧重于振兴整个经济体系，而后者旨在通过关注现有限制来改善体系。在考察经济学与哲学之间的关系时，本文利用森的经济研究的主要领域之一——能力方法，来探索森的伦理哲学如何描绘经济学和道德哲学之间的关系。