One of the leading philosophers of the twentieth century, Elizabeth Anscombe, who was born in Limerick a century ago this month, remains an important and influential figure both in academic philosophy and in Catholic apologetics

One of the leading philosophers of the twentieth century, Elizabeth Anscombe, who was born in Limerick a century ago this month, remains an important and influential figure both in academic philosophy and in Catholic apologetics

Elizabeth Anscombe was a remarkable and formidable woman, an exceptional philosopher and a devoted and faithful Roman Catholic. While orders of intellectual greatness are hard to assign, particularly when the person belongs to one’s own time, there is no doubt that Anscombe was one of the most gifted and accomplished philosophers of the twentieth century. Her work will continue to be read long into the future and a place for her in the history of philosophy is assured.

Considering her standing in the category of women philosophers she is the clear leader, marked out by her creativity, imagination, industry, insight, range and rigour. There is also a kind of singularity about her writings: she proceeds directly to the topic of her investigation, makes few if any references to academic contemporaries or current trends, writes in a concentrated and often indirect manner, eschews academic jargon, generally avoids footnotes, and sometimes ends with an expression of perplexity.

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