Abstract: This joint work with Ingrid Robeyns (Utrecht University) introduces the capability approach and discusses its role in economic ethics. More specifically, we discuss the concept of wellbeing and freedom underlying the general capabilitarian framework and
argue that a number of characterizing features of the capability approach, such as its focus on ends instead of means or the conception of freedom employed in it, makes it particularly well suited for the evaluation
of institutions and economic systems in economic ethics. The article concludes by pointing to a number of limits and constraints of the capabilitarian framework in economic ethics.