Comparing Theory of Bourdieu on Cultural Capital and Field and Theory of Nussbaum on Capabilities Approach to Understand Higher Education

Abstract

This essay selects Bourdieu’s field theory with cultural capital theory and Nussbaum’s competence approach theory to perceive the issue of higher education. To address this issue, the essay is divided into the following parts: first, it outlines the current situation of higher education, discusses the relationship between higher education and social justice and the importance of this issue; second, it discusses in detail the key concepts of the above two theories and explores their relationship with higher education; finally, it compares the advantages and disadvantages of the two theories and concludes that Boudieu’s theoretical framework has more possibilities of interpretation and can provide more explanatory power for higher education than Nussbaum’s.