G.E. Moore

Early Life and Education

George Edward Moore, commonly known as G.E. Moore, was born on November 4, 1873, in Upper Norwood, London. He was the fifth of seven children in a family that valued education and intellectual pursuits. Moore's father, Daniel Moore, was a medical doctor, and his mother, Henrietta Sturge, came from a Quaker family. This environment fostered Moore's early interest in philosophy and ethics.

Moore attended Dulwich College, where he excelled academically. In 1892, he entered Trinity College, Cambridge, initially to study classics. However, his interests soon shifted to philosophy, influenced by the works of Henry Sidgwick and John McTaggart. Moore graduated with first-class honors in the Moral Sciences Tripos in 1896 and was elected a fellow of Trinity College in 1898.

Philosophical Contributions

Principia Ethica

In 1903, Moore published his seminal work, Principia Ethica, which had a profound impact on 20th-century philosophy. In this book, Moore introduced the concept of the "naturalistic fallacy," arguing that ethical properties cannot be reduced to natural properties. He posited that "good" is a simple, indefinable quality, much like the color yellow. This idea laid the groundwork for the non-naturalism in ethics.

Moore's Principia Ethica also emphasized the importance of consequentialism, particularly the notion of "ideal utilitarianism." He argued that actions should be judged based on their ability to produce intrinsic goods, such as beauty and friendship, rather than merely pleasure or happiness.

The Refutation of Idealism

In his 1903 paper, "The Refutation of Idealism," Moore challenged the idealism that dominated British philosophy at the time. He argued against the notion that reality is fundamentally mental or spiritual. Moore's famous dictum, "to be is to be perceived," was a direct critique of George Berkeley's idealism. Instead, Moore advocated for common sense realism, asserting that the external world exists independently of our perception.

The Open Question Argument

Another significant contribution by Moore is the open question argument, which he used to challenge ethical naturalism. Moore argued that for any proposed naturalistic definition of "good," it is always an open question whether that definition truly captures the essence of "good." This argument further supported his claim that "good" is a non-natural, indefinable property.

Influence on Analytic Philosophy

Moore is often regarded as one of the founders of analytic philosophy, a movement that emphasizes clarity and logical rigor. His work influenced contemporaries such as Bertrand Russell and Ludwig Wittgenstein. Moore's insistence on precise language and logical analysis helped shape the methods and aims of analytic philosophy.

The Cambridge Apostles

Moore was a member of the Cambridge Apostles, an intellectual society that included prominent figures like John Maynard Keynes, E.M. Forster, and Bertrand Russell. The Apostles provided a forum for discussing philosophical, political, and literary ideas, and Moore's contributions were highly influential within this group.

Later Work and Legacy

In his later years, Moore continued to write and teach, focusing on topics such as sense data, perception, and epistemology. His collected papers, published posthumously, include essays on a wide range of philosophical issues. Moore's legacy endures through his influence on subsequent generations of philosophers and his contributions to the development of analytic philosophy.

Personal Life

Moore married Dorothy Ely in 1916, and they had two sons. Despite his professional success, Moore was known for his modesty and humility. He was a dedicated family man and enjoyed a quiet life outside of his academic pursuits.

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