mazing. His understandings infused with historical perspective and careful contemporary analysis is astounding, and humbling for the reader: here is a man who has read and knows more than you can ever. I picked up Amartya Sen from a pavement of Over the years I have realized that there is a difference between theoretical involvement and what position people take on contemporary issues. There are influences that rigors of theory are insulated from. There are compromises and then hypocrisies. Mr. Sen is now on promotion tour of his new book, and could be seen on most TV channels. Don’t know what to make of it but the Bata shoe priced book I don’t intend to buy from book stall, should be able to get it for 100odd Rs from pavement few months hence (I am thrilled by the Niti-Nyaya paradigm, I read on the net).
Clearly Amartya Sen has elitist worldview and so constructs his opinion on this foundation whether Nandigram or significant aspects of market economy (frankly I admire Paul Krugman’s intellectual integrity. He is someone I adore. Though I don’t really have much understanding on economics but I find Krugman very agreeable) or even global warming (loved the way he was questioned in BBC). Bengal is a disaster on social front, referring to land reforms all the time doesn’t make much sense when the society lacks any forms of social mobility for decades, as compared to neighboring states like
Although when he writes he is amazingly passionate (and yes it is infectious, I love reading him) but life outside the world of theories and ideas is bit trying. Probably the exact nature of self tends to come out on these occasions. Humanism without humanity. Concern without empathy. The ideal world where the institutions were thought about and created was product of passions of some amazing people, it was not sterile intellectual involvement, it was urgent and immediate, it inspired generations of people. To reject institutions as mere utopia and therefore introducing social realization as a clause seems like a clever attempt to posit utilitarian from certain section of society. In most cases in societies like
Maybe I will write more after I read the book few months from now when it hits the pavement. We generally have gut feeling about people, frankly Amartya Sen is not someone this blogger will be trusting on most of his views albeit interesting. Some people are such supple speakers that after listening to them you know that they are knowledgeable but still don’t know their exact opinion!!. Its like you listen to the guy for an hour and then you have a vague feeling of having listened to him !!. It is definitely an art in elite circle, goes well with red wine, caviar, subtle smiles and hushed talk!.
The other 
day I was reading Chekhov (I absolutely love his stories) the one titled The Beggar the rich man in the story (advocate Skvortstoff) helps the beggar (Lushkoff) by giving him odd jobs and he thinks he has motivated the poor fellow for gainful employment and meaningful life. Years later when the beggar as a well off man meets him, Skvortstoff shows pride and tries to take the credit. But was told that poor old servant cook of his was the one who changed him and that Skvortstoff influence was marginal, he says “…do you know, sir, that I did not chop one single stick of wood for you?. She did it all. Why this saved me, why I changed, why I stopped drinking at the sight of her I cannot explain, I only know that, owing to her words and noble deeds a change took place in my heart. She set me right and I shall never forget it”. The story ends with that.
So the moral of the story here is we are rarely influenced by self serving people who try to manipulate as saviors for their own benefit, we are moved by our surrounding, our immediate experiences and sights. Sometimes lessons of life come from unlikeliest of sources to understand that humanism and empathy is more than enough. Amartya Sen’s utilitarian and logically constructed views are quite interesting and beneficial but lack soul.
Post script: some views may be bit extreme, and yes last one month or so I am going through some bad time. That reality of mine is part of the objective analysis and not otherwise. It has the universal truth of most people so cannot be negated, as much as the views determined by hypocrisy and personal benefits. Frankly when it comes to society views cannot be objective it has manifold influences. The reason why it becomes challenging and interesting.
