Question 1

Who was G. E. M. Anscombe and why is she important in philosophy?

Accepted Answer

G. E. M. Anscombe (1919–2001) is a major figure in Anglo-American analytic philosophy. What you need to remember is that she revolutionized two fields: the philosophy of action with her work Intention (1957), where she distinguishes intentional action from mere causal behavior, and ethics with her article Modern Moral Philosophy (1958), which coined the term “consequentialism” and revived virtue ethics. Far from being merely a student of Wittgenstein, she was an original thinker who also served as his literary executor, translating his Philosophical Investigations and making his work accessible to the English-speaking world.

Question 2

What is consequentialism, the word coined by Anscombe?

Accepted Answer

Consequentialism is a term coined by Anscombe in 1958 in Modern Moral Philosophy to denote ethical theories that judge an act solely by its consequences, such as utilitarianism. What distinguishes this approach from traditional morality is that it eliminates the notion of intrinsically wrong acts: for a consequentialist, killing an innocent person could be justified if the overall outcome is better. Anscombe, a devout Catholic, fiercely opposed this, arguing that some acts (like the deliberate killing of civilians) are always forbidden, regardless of consequences. Her critique has profoundly shaped contemporary moral philosophy.

Question 3

Why did Anscombe oppose awarding Harry Truman an honorary doctorate from Oxford?

Accepted Answer

In 1958, Anscombe voted against awarding an honorary doctorate to Harry Truman, the former U.S. president who ordered the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. To understand this, you have to remember that Anscombe was a specialist in just war theory: she believed that deliberately killing innocent civilians is murder, and that honoring someone responsible for such acts amounts to denying objective morality. Her pamphlet Mr Truman's Degree declares that Truman is “objectively a mass murderer.” This courageous stand, taken when she was a lone voice, illustrates her consistency between faith, philosophy, and public action.

Question 4

What was a typical day in Anscombe's life like?

Accepted Answer

Anscombe’s day combined spirituality, intense intellectual work, and a large family life. In the morning, she would attend daily Mass before settling at her typewriter to write or translate. In the afternoon, she taught at Oxford or Cambridge, leading tough seminars where she would not hesitate to dismantle weak arguments. In the evening, she would join her seven children and her husband Peter Geach for a simple dinner, but often continued reading late into the night, a cigar in hand. What is often forgotten is that she did not separate her domestic life from her philosophical life: she regularly hosted students and colleagues at her home.

Question 5

What everyday objects are associated with Anscombe and what do they reveal about her personality?

Accepted Answer

Several objects are emblematic of Anscombe. The monocle she often wore and the cigar she smoked in public were very unusual for a woman of her time, and show her indifference to social conventions. The rosary she used daily reminds us of her deep Catholic faith, inseparable from her thought. Finally, the notebooks of Wittgenstein that she deciphered and translated testify to her colossal work as an editor. What stands out here is that these objects are not mere accessories: they symbolize her will to live consistently with her convictions, even if it meant shocking others.

Question 6

What does the word “intention” mean in Anscombe's philosophy?

Accepted Answer

For Anscombe, intention is not a hidden mental state, but what makes an action intelligible when we answer the question “why?”. In her book Intention (1957), she explains that asking “why did you do that?” does not call for a cause, but for a reason. What distinguishes an intentional action from mere behavior is that one can answer by giving a purpose. For example, if I raise my arm to wave, it is intentional; if it is a nervous tic, it is not. This distinction is crucial for moral responsibility: only intentional actions can be morally judged. The key to this analysis is that intention is not separate from action; it is the very form of action.

Question 7

What was the relationship between Anscombe and Wittgenstein?

Accepted Answer

Anscombe was first a student of Ludwig Wittgenstein at Cambridge from 1942, then became one of his closest collaborators. What makes this bond unique is that Wittgenstein, known for his difficult character, trusted her completely: upon his death in 1951, he named her his literary executor. She translated and edited his Philosophical Investigations (1953), a monumental task that made his ordinary language philosophy accessible to the English-speaking world. Unlike many interpreters, Anscombe did not merely comment on Wittgenstein: she developed her own thought, especially on action and ethics, while remaining faithful to her teacher’s demand for clarity and rigor.

Question 8

Why did Anscombe defend the encyclical Humanae Vitae on contraception?

Accepted Answer

In 1968, Pope Paul VI issued Humanae Vitae, which reaffirmed the Catholic prohibition of artificial contraception. Anscombe, mother of seven children, became one of its most visible defenders in the academic world. To understand this, you have to remember that she considered the sexual act as a human act carrying an objective meaning: to separate it from procreation is, in her view, to deny the very nature of the act. What is often forgotten is that her defense was not mere religious conservatism, but an extension of her philosophy of action: for her, certain acts are intrinsically evil regardless of intentions or consequences. This stance drew criticism, but she remained true to her conviction that personal life must be consistent with thought.

Question 9

Where did Anscombe live and work?

Accepted Answer

Anscombe was born in Limerick, Ireland, in 1919, but spent most of her life in England. She studied at Somerville College, Oxford, where she converted to Catholicism. It was at Cambridge that she attended Wittgenstein's seminars and later held a chair in philosophy from 1970 to 1986, succeeding a prestigious lineage. The Radcliffe Camera in Oxford was her workplace for research and translations. What you should remember is that these places are not mere addresses: they embody the elite British university of the 20th century, where the debates of analytic philosophy were forged. Anscombe left a lasting imprint there, both through her teaching and her writings.

Question 10

What is Anscombe's legacy in philosophy today?

Accepted Answer

Anscombe's legacy is immense. In the philosophy of action, her book Intention is considered the founding text of the field, influencing thinkers such as Donald Davidson. In ethics, her article Modern Moral Philosophy revived virtue ethics and introduced the term “consequentialism” into the debate. What is striking is that her influence extends beyond academic philosophy: her critique of the atomic bomb and her defense of just war doctrine still resonate in discussions about the moral responsibility of leaders. Less known to the general public than other philosophers, she is nonetheless an essential reference for anyone interested in human action and morality.

Elizabeth Anscombe(1919 — 2001)

Frequently asked questions

Famous Quotes

Key Facts

Works & Achievements

Anecdotes

Primary Sources

Key Places

Liens externes & ressources

Références

Média

Œuvres

Rechercher

See also

Related Characters