午夜剧场

This book is a translation of three texts by Elizabeth Anscombe, one of the leading British philosophers of the 20th century. The main section, Intention (1957), is being translated for the second time. Since the previous translation has been out of print for a long time, I believe a new translation at this time will certainly be beneficial.

Look at the cover. There is a crocodile. In this book, the crocodile appears in one of the important examples. Suppose you instinctively step back, startled by the roar of a crocodile. Stepping back is something you did; you certainly know what you did, and you can immediately answer why you did it ("Because it suddenly roared..."). However, that stepping back is likely not intentional. What is an intentional action? How does it differ from the case of being startled by a crocodile? That is one of the questions in this book. Anscombe clarifies the nature of "intentional action" while carefully confirming that distinguishing between the two is not easy (and the process of that confirmation is what is important).

Actually, a pump is depicted on the back cover. In the text, the pump appears when discussing the complex order brought about by intentional actions. A pump is a sophisticated tool, and its operation is a typically intentional act. The act of operating a pump can form various patterns depending on the agent's own knowledge and the development of the situation. The issue there is with what intention the action was performed. One point of discussion is how the mundane act of operating a pump can, depending on the conditions, become the audacious act of assassinating a dictator. This point also holds significant meaning in Anscombe's indignant essay, "Mr. Truman's Degree," which is included in this translation. That is to say, under certain conditions, signing a document is nothing other than the intentional massacre of civilians.

Anscombe's writings are often said to be difficult. It is true that she tends to discuss subtle themes with complex structures. However, they are by no means nonsensical; rather, her individual philosophical claims are clear. When one attempts to grope for and bring to light a truly new problem space, a work often takes on such complexity. Is that not the case with many "classics"? If you read at an appropriate pace without rushing to a conclusion, there should be much to gain from this book.

Translated by Tatsuya Kashiwabata

Iwanami Shoten

296 pages, 3,740 yen (tax included)

*Affiliations and titles are as of the time of publication.