DESIGN THINKING AND CAPABILITY APPROACH: An Integration Proposal

Abstract

On a planet facing ever more challenges, the search for quality of life is a constant in cultures, ethnicities, social classes. The people want to have the opportunity to live the life that for them is meaningful, based on the freedom to choose from the most valuable options, central principles of the capability approach. At the same time, for this to be possible, many wicked problems need to be remedied, and design thinking presents itself as an alternative. Conceptually, design thinking can be understood as an iterative, human-centered approach to problem solving. Thus, this theoretical essay aims to reflect on the possibility of integrating the capability approach with the design thinking approach in order to configure, from the said integration, a strategy for the development and consequent increase of the social welfare in the resolution of the wicked problems. The conclusions show that such integration can be a way of contributing to the extension of individual substantive freedoms, and in solving the complex challenges and problems faced by nations, through the use of design thinking processes and values.