THE DEVELOPMENT OF PRACTICAL REASONING IN UNIVERSITY STUDENTS IN THE AREA OF HEALTH, ACCORDING TO MARTHA NUSSBAUM’S APPROACH

Abstract

For centuries the study of human capabilities has aroused great interest among educators, philosophers and thinkers in the cultivation of human beings. The philosopher Martha Nussbaum developed the Capabilities Approach (CA), which recognizes practical reason as a tool to counteract gender inequities and advance social justice. The objective of the research was to understand the perception of the development of practical reason in female students who are in their fourth year of the Obstetrics and Childcare career at the University of Valparaiso (Chile) in the period 2017-2018, based on their experiences associated with the curriculum and university life. The approach was qualitative hermeneutic-phenomenological, through in-depth interviews. The results revealed significant information about the empowerment of critical thinking, creative imagination, expression of feelings and freedom of conscience, through various formative experiences, providing opportunities to increase and consolidate them throughout their lives, from social practices that promote respect for others from an inclusive perspective, ethical and biopsychosocial.