What did Elizabeth Anscombe do?

Gertrude Elizabeth Margaret Anscombe was one of the most gifted philosophers of the twentieth century. Her work continues to strongly influence philosophers working in action theory and moral philosophy. Like the work of her friend Ludwig Wittgenstein, Anscombe’s work is marked by a keen analytic sensibility.

What did Anscombe believe?

Anscombe thought that modern philosophy had also misunderstood ethics. In her seminal paper Modern Moral Philosophy (1958), she argued that notions like “moral obligation”, “moral duty”, “morally right”, and “morally wrong”, are now vacuous hangovers from the Judaeo-Christian idea of a law-giving God.

Was Anscombe religious?

Anscombe attended Sydenham High School and then, in 1937, went on to read literae humaniores (‘Greats’) at St Hugh’s College, Oxford. While still at Sydenham High School, she was converted to the Catholic faith.

Was Anscombe Catholic?

Gertrude Elizabeth Margaret Anscombe, the Catholic philosopher whose work on subjects from Aristotelian ethics to the perils of birth control is enjoying a renaissance, died 10 years ago this week in England, at 81. And obituary writers remembered what she wore.

What are the two moral theories Elizabeth Anscombe rejects?

Anscombe rejects both determinism and consequentialism. Her book Intention aims to shed light on the concept of intention, and hence on (intentional) action, and the difference between intentional, rational action and non-rational behavior.

What is Kant’s approach to ethics?

Kantian ethics refers to a deontological ethical theory developed by German philosopher Immanuel Kant that is based on the notion that: “It is impossible to think of anything at all in the world, or indeed even beyond it, that could be considered good without limitation except a good will.” The theory was developed as …

How do you pronounce Anscombe?

Here are 4 tips that should help you perfect your pronunciation of ‘Anscombe’:

1. Break ‘Anscombe’ down into sounds: [AN] + [SKUHM] – say it out loud and exaggerate the sounds until you can consistently produce them.
2. Record yourself saying ‘Anscombe’ in full sentences, then watch yourself and listen.

Is utilitarianism good or bad?

Utilitarianism promotes “the greatest amount of good for the greatest number of people.” When used in a sociopolitical construct, utilitarian ethics aims for the betterment of society as a whole. Utilitarianism is a reason-based approach to determining right and wrong, but it has limitations.

What did Gertrude Anscombe do for a living?

Gertrude Elizabeth Margaret Anscombe FBA (/ˈænskoʊm/; 18 March 1919 – 5 January 2001), usually cited as G. E. M. Anscombe or Elizabeth Anscombe, was a British analytic philosopher. She wrote on the philosophy of mind, philosophy of action, philosophical logic, philosophy of language, and ethics. She was a prominent figure of analytical Thomism.

How old was G E M Anscombe when she died?

She died peacefully on 5 January 2001, aged 81, with her husband and four of their seven children at her hospital bedside. She had not said where she was to be buried and the family chose what is now the Ascension Parish burial ground, as it was the nearest one to their home.

When did g.e.m.anscombe visit Wittgenstein?

Anscombe visited Wittgenstein many times after he left Cambridge in 1947, and travelled to Cambridge in April 1951 to visit him on his death bed. Wittgenstein named her, along with Rush Rhees and Georg Henrik von Wright, as his literary executor.

How many children did Geach and Anscombe have?

Like her, Geach was a Catholic convert who became a student of Wittgenstein and a distinguished academic philosopher. Together they had three sons and four daughters. After graduating from Oxford, Anscombe was awarded a research fellowship for postgraduate study at Newnham College, Cambridge, from 1942 to 1945.