From Plato to Wittgenstein

From Plato to Wittgenstein collects essays and lectures by philosopher G.E.M. Anscombe spanning her career at Cambridge and Oxford. The book covers key figures in Western philosophy, including Plato, Aristotle, Aquinas, Hume, and Wittgenstein. Anscombe examines core philosophical questions about truth, knowledge, justice, and causation through close readings of primary texts. Her analysis moves chronologically through major philosophical works and thinkers, tracing the development of key concepts and arguments. The text includes both published essays and previously unpublished lecture notes from Anscombe's teaching career. Her interpretation of Wittgenstein, whom she knew personally and whose work she translated, forms a central thread throughout the collection. The book represents an important contribution to 20th century philosophical scholarship, bridging ancient, medieval, and modern philosophical traditions. Anscombe's perspective illuminates connections between seemingly disparate schools of thought while maintaining rigorous analytical standards.

There appear to be very few published reader reviews of this book online. The book contains Anscombe's collected essays and lectures on the history of philosophy, but was published after her death and seems to have limited distribution. What readers liked: - Clear explanations of complex philosophical concepts - Strong analysis connecting ancient and modern philosophy - Valuable insights into Wittgenstein's work, since Anscombe was his student What readers disliked: - Dense academic writing style that can be difficult to follow - Some essays feel incomplete or fragmentary - Limited availability of the book itself Ratings: Goodreads: No ratings or reviews available Amazon: No customer reviews WorldCat: No reader reviews Note: While this book is referenced in academic papers and philosophical texts, there do not appear to be enough public reader reviews to form a comprehensive analysis of its reception. Most discussion occurs in academic contexts rather than consumer reviews.

Logic, Truth and Meaning: Writings by G.E.M. Anscombe by G.E.M. Anscombe This collection presents Anscombe's core philosophical work on logic and language, serving as a companion text to her interpretations of historical philosophers.

The Concept of Mind by Gilbert Ryle Ryle's examination of mental concepts and their relation to behavior parallels Anscombe's analytical approach to philosophical problems.

Word and Object by W.V.O. Quine Quine's investigation of meaning and translation continues the analytical tradition that Anscombe explores in her historical studies.

Philosophy in Practice by Morton White White traces philosophical ideas from ancient to modern times with focus on their practical applications and interconnections.

The Great Philosophers: From Socrates to Turing by Raymond Monk This text traces the development of philosophical thought through biographical studies of major figures, complementing Anscombe's historical analysis.

🔹 Elizabeth Anscombe was one of the most influential female philosophers of the 20th century and a student of Ludwig Wittgenstein. She became his literary executor and translated many of his works from German to English. 🔹 The book collects essays spanning four decades of Anscombe's work, offering unique insights into ancient philosophy through the lens of modern analytical philosophy. 🔹 Though married with seven children, Anscombe was known for her unconventional lifestyle - she often wore trousers and smoked cigars at a time when this was considered scandalous for women in academia. 🔹 The collection demonstrates Anscombe's remarkable ability to connect ancient philosophical questions to contemporary issues, particularly in ethics and moral philosophy. 🔹 Many of the essays in this volume were originally delivered as lectures at Oxford University, where Anscombe became the first female professor of philosophy at the institution in 1970.