G. E. M. Anscombe (1919–2001) is one of the most important philosophers of the twentieth century. Known primarily for influencing research in action theory and moral philosophy, her work also has relevance in the study of metaphysics, philosophy of language, philosophy of mind, philosophy of religion, and politics.
The Anscombean Mind provides a comprehensive survey of Anscombe’s thought, not only placing it in its historical context but also exploring its enduring significance in contemporary debates. Divided into three clear parts, twenty-three chapters by an international array of contributors address the following themes:
- ancient philosophy
- metaphysics
- mind and language
- Wittgenstein
- action and ethics
- politics
- religion and faith.
The Anscombean Mind is an indispensable resource for anyone studying and researching action theory, ethics, moral philosophy, Wittgenstein, twentieth-century philosophy, and Anscombe herself.
Introduction Adrian Haddock and Rachael Wiseman
1. Report to the Mary Somerville Fellowship Committee, May 1948 G. E. M. Anscombe
Part 1: From Parmenides to Wittgenstein
2. Anscombe’s Aristotelian Metaphysics Christopher Frey
3. The Enigma of Existence: Russellm? Kantfrege? Anscombe Arindam Chakrabarti
4. Anscombe, Stenius, and Ramsey on the Tractatus Peter Sullivan
5. Anscombe on Wittgenstein’s On Certainty: Linguistic Idealism, World-Pictures and Scepticism Andy Hamilton
Part 2: Metaphysics and the Philosophy of Mind
6. What is so Necessary about the Past? Anscombe Asymmetrist Anselm Winfried Müller
7. Temporal Passage and Being in Time Colin Johnston
8. Metaphysics and Modals Roger Teichmann
9. What do I Really Do? What do I Really See? Rachael Wiseman
10. On Our Relation to the World as a Whole, and to Others, in General Adrian Haddock
11. How Receptive Knowledge Relates to Practical Knowledge John McDowell
12. What is the Moral of Davidson’s Carbon Copier? Towards an Anscombean account of Practical Knowledge Eylem Özaltun
13. Anscombe and the Difference Rationality Makes Eric Marcus
14. The Practicality of Practical Inference Will Small
Part 3: Ethics, Religion, and Politics
15. Anscombe’s Skepticism about the Possibility of (Kantian) Practical Syllogisms Alexandra Newton
16. What is the Bearing of Thinking on Doing? Marshal Bierson and John Schwenkler
17. Human Action Valérie Aucouturier
18. The Elusiveness of the Voluntary: Anscombe and the Problem of Human Agency Jean-Philippe Narboux
19. Sensation in Intention Clare Mac Cumhaill
20. Justice in Criminal Trials R. A. Duff
21. Anscombe and the Rules of Ordinary Practices Peter Faulconbridge
22. Anscombe on the Dignity of the Human Being Matthias Haase
23. Practical Knowledge and the Spiritual Nature of Man Evgenia Mylonaki.
Index
Biography
Adrian Haddock is a Senior Lecturer in Philosophy at the University of Stirling, UK. He has written on action, perception, knowledge, and language.
Rachael Wiseman is Senior Lecturer in Philosophy at University of Liverpool, UK. She is the author of the Routledge Guidebook to Anscombe’s Intention (2016).
