G. E. M. Anscombe

Gertrude Elizabeth Margaret Anscombe (18 March 1919 – 5 January 2001), usually cited as G. E. M. Anscombe, was a British philosopher who is best known for her works in philosophy of mind, philosophical logic, and moral philosophy. She was a prominent figure in analytic philosophy during the mid-20th century and was a close associate of Ludwig Wittgenstein, whose philosophy she studied and translated.

Early Life and Education

G. E. M. Anscombe was born in Limerick, Ireland, and raised in England. She studied Classics and philosophy at St Hugh's College, Oxford. During her time at Oxford, she became a devout Roman Catholic, which significantly influenced her philosophical work.

Career

Anscombe was elected a research fellow of Somerville College, Oxford immediately after graduating. She later held a professorship at the University of Cambridge, where she became the chair of the philosophy department. Anscombe is perhaps best known for her association with Wittgenstein, having translated several of his works into English and edited his posthumous publications.

Philosophical Work

Anscombe made significant contributions to various areas of philosophy:

Intention

Her book Intention is considered a masterpiece in philosophy of action. In it, she explores the nature of human action and intention, arguing against the causal theory of action prevalent at the time.

Moral Philosophy

Anscombe's 1958 paper "Modern Moral Philosophy" introduced the term "consequentialism" and critiqued utilitarianism and Kantian ethics. She advocated for a return to Aristotelian ethics and emphasized the importance of virtue ethics.

Philosophy of Mind

In her work on the philosophy of mind, Anscombe focused on concepts of intentionality, perception, and mental causation. Her insights have been influential in the development of contemporary discussions on these topics.

Philosophical Logic

Anscombe contributed to the field of philosophical logic by engaging with issues related to identity, truth, and logical form. Her work often intersected with linguistic analysis and the philosophy of language.

Legacy

Anscombe's work continues to influence a wide range of philosophical debates. Her rigorous approach and incisive critiques have made her one of the key figures in 20th-century analytic philosophy. She was also instrumental in bringing Wittgenstein's philosophy to a broader audience, thereby shaping the course of philosophy in the latter half of the 20th century.

Selected Works

• Intention (1957)
• An Introduction to Wittgenstein's Tractatus (1959)
• Three Philosophers: Aristotle, Aquinas, Frege (with Peter Geach) (1961)

See Also

• Philosophy of action
• Virtue ethics
• Analytic philosophy
• Ludwig Wittgenstein