Elizabeth Anscombe, an influential philosopher known for opposing the atomic bombings in WWII, passionately critiques their moral implications. She argues that killing civilians can never be justified. The discussion dives into her relationship with Wittgenstein, reshaping moral philosophy and ethics. They explore the evolution of intention in action, highlighting the impact of virtue ethics in defining a good life. Anecdotes of Anscombe’s unconventional personality add a colorful touch, showcasing her defiance of societal norms.
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Quick takeaways
Elizabeth Anscombe's opposition to Truman's honorary degree highlighted her belief in the moral imperatives surrounding wartime decisions and actions.
Her philosophical mentorship with Ludwig Wittgenstein significantly shaped her explorations of intention and action in ethical discussions.
Anscombe's groundbreaking book 'Intention' established a new framework for understanding human action, intertwining intention with contextual analysis rather than abstract theory.
Deep dives
Elizabeth Anscombe's Early Life and Influences
Elizabeth Anscombe, born in 1919 in Limerick, Ireland, had a family background with a soldier father and a teacher mother, moving to England shortly after her birth. She developed an independent philosophical mindset during her teenage years, engaging deeply with religious and theological texts, notably from Jesuit authors. Her youthful disagreements with these texts sparked her interest in philosophy, illustrating her determination and intellectual curiosity. Despite her parents' Anglican beliefs, her conversion to Catholicism marked her as a strong-willed individual who would later become a prominent philosopher.
Encountering Ludwig Wittgenstein
In 1942, Anscombe studied under Ludwig Wittgenstein at Cambridge, a significant period in both their philosophical journeys. Wittgenstein, disillusioned by the ongoing war, was focused on philosophy of mathematics and philosophical psychology, which profoundly influenced Anscombe's work. Their relationship progressed to one of close friendship, evidenced by her presence during his final days and the mutual intellectual admiration they held. This mentorship played a pivotal role in shaping Anscombe's philosophical approach, particularly in her exploration of intention and action.
Moral Philosophy and the Challenge of Non-Cognitivism
During the 1940s, Anscombe faced the prevailing non-cognitivism in moral philosophy, which asserted that moral statements lack factual meaning and are merely expressions of emotion. This perspective emerged from AJ Ayer's manifesto, which dismissed metaphysical inquiries, contributing to a philosophical movement that struggled to address substantive moral issues. In response, Anscombe and fellow women philosophers sought to reclaim the moral philosophical landscape, particularly in light of the atrocities of World War II. They argued for a moral philosophy that transcended mere linguistic analysis and engaged with real ethical dilemmas, emphasizing the importance of virtues.
The Truman Degree Controversy
In 1956, Anscombe vehemently opposed Oxford University awarding an honorary degree to Harry S. Truman, viewing his decision to drop atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki as an act of mass murder. Her pamphlet 'Mr. Truman's Degree' articulated her argument against consequentialist reasoning that justified the bombings as a means to end the war. She highlighted the moral distinction between murder and collateral damage, asserting that intention plays a crucial role in ethical assessments. This bold stance not only showcased her commitment to moral principles but also ignited substantial debate on the ethical implications of wartime decisions.
Publication of 'Intention' and Its Philosophical Impact
Anscombe published her influential book 'Intention' in 1957, establishing the philosophy of action as an independent field by examining the complexities of human intention and action. She challenged conventional views by analyzing intention through its use in everyday language rather than attempting to define it through abstract properties or mental states. By emphasizing the relationship between action and intention, she provided a framework for understanding actions holistically, proposing that intentions are not merely mental states but deeply intertwined with the context of actions. The book's rigorous exploration of these concepts left a lasting impact on moral philosophy and philosophical psychology, prompting further inquiries into human agency.
In 1956 Oxford University awarded an honorary degree to the former US president Harry S. Truman for his role in ending the Second World War. One philosopher, Elizabeth Anscombe (1919 – 2001), objected strongly.
She argued that although dropping nuclear bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki may have ended the fighting, it amounted to the murder of tens of thousands of innocent civilians. It was therefore an irredeemably immoral act. And there was something fundamentally wrong with a moral philosophy that didn’t see that.
This was the starting point for a body of work that changed the terms in which philosophers discussed moral and ethical questions in the second half of the twentieth century.
A leading student of the philosopher Ludwig Wittgenstein, Anscombe combined his insights with rejuvenated interpretations of Aristotle and Thomas Aquinas that made these ancient figures speak to modern issues and concerns. Anscombe was also instrumental in making action, and the question of what it means to intend to do something, a leading area of philosophical work.
With
Rachael Wiseman, Senior Lecturer in Philosophy at the University of Liverpool
Constantine Sandis, Visiting Professor of Philosophy at the University of Hertfordshire, and Director of Lex Academic
Roger Teichmann, Lecturer in Philosophy at St Hilda’s College, University of Oxford
Producer: Luke Mulhall
In Our Time is a BBC Studios Audio Production
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