Martha Nussbaum American philosopher Date of Birth: 06.05.1947 Country: USA

Biography of Martha Nussbaum

Martha Nussbaum, an American philosopher, was born on May 6, 1947, in New York City, United States. She was raised in a wealthy family of a lawyer and a designer. From a young age, Nussbaum had a strong desire to achieve everything on her own, rejecting her aristocratic upbringing and the need to associate with people of her own social status.

After completing high school, Nussbaum enrolled at New York University, where she studied classical literature and theater arts. Her interest in philosophy awakened during her final years, leading her to pursue further studies in this field. She then attended Harvard University, where she earned a master's degree in philosophy in 1972 and a doctorate in philosophy in 1975.

During her time at Harvard, Nussbaum married Alan Nussbaum, and they had a daughter named Rachel. Their marriage ended in 1987. Nussbaum's decision to undergo the process of giyur, or conversion to Judaism, was one of the significant turning points in her life. Despite her differing scholarly perspective from the mainstream interpretations of the Tanakh, she believes that Jewish philosophy has provided her with a new understanding of the world and humanity.

Nussbaum's early academic career was marked by a strong interest in ancient philosophy. However, over time, she began to explore social philosophy. In her work "Patriotism and Cosmopolitanism," she examined two contrasting concepts of patriotism and cosmopolitanism, which seemed counterintuitive in the American society that emphasized national identity. She argued for the relevance of cosmopolitanism, despite its foreignness to a somewhat intolerant American society.

In another work, "Sex and Social Justice" published in 1998, Nussbaum criticized liberal democracy, which had already received criticism following Francis Fukuyama's article "The End of History and the Last Man." She questioned liberalism for compromising the rights of minorities by prioritizing the equal rights of all members of society. For example, she asked why it is considered reasonable to restrict women's rights to engage in prostitution when it is an industry driven by demand rather than supply.

Nussbaum co-founded the Human Development and Capability Association with Indian political scientist and economist Amartya Sen, a Nobel laureate in economics. Their collaboration played a crucial role in the research and understanding of the Human Development Index, significantly influencing contemporary understanding of human potential.

Nussbaum is a recipient of numerous awards and honors. She is a member of the American Philosophical Society, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and a Corresponding Fellow of the British Academy. She has been listed in Foreign Policy's ranking of the "100 Top Global Thinkers" for several years. In 2012, she was honored with the prestigious Prince of Asturias Award for Literature. Additionally, Nussbaum holds over 40 honorary doctorates from various universities around the world.