I think the capabilities approach can be reframed as a form of multi-level utilitarianism. Capabilities matter, but why? Because they contribute to well-being. How do we prioritize among capabilities? Ask people what capabilities matter to them and prioritize the ones that matter more to more people.[1] Why do we prioritize the ones that matter more to more people? Because they have a greater impact on aggregate well-being. Here, we’re using various decision procedures that differ from the archetypal utilitarian calculus (e.g. the capabilities approach, soliciting people’s preferences), but the north star is still aggregate utility.
From the OP: “The third approach, which I personally prefer, is to not even try to make an index but instead to track various clearly important dimensions separately and to try to be open and pragmatic and get lots of feedback from the people ‘being helped.’”
I think the capabilities approach can be reframed as a form of multi-level utilitarianism. Capabilities matter, but why? Because they contribute to well-being. How do we prioritize among capabilities? Ask people what capabilities matter to them and prioritize the ones that matter more to more people.[1] Why do we prioritize the ones that matter more to more people? Because they have a greater impact on aggregate well-being. Here, we’re using various decision procedures that differ from the archetypal utilitarian calculus (e.g. the capabilities approach, soliciting people’s preferences), but the north star is still aggregate utility.
From the OP: “The third approach, which I personally prefer, is to not even try to make an index but instead to track various clearly important dimensions separately and to try to be open and pragmatic and get lots of feedback from the people ‘being helped.’”