elizabeth-anscombe

What problem does it solve?

Helps Claude analyze moral dilemmas by applying Elizabeth Anscombe's action-theory to identify when an action is intentional under a specific description, distinguishing motive from foreseen outcomes, and avoiding naive consequentialist judgments.

Core Features & Use Cases

• Action-under-description analysis: Determine whether a given action is intentional under a specified description (e.g., "pumping water" vs. "contracting muscles").
• Doctrine of Double Effect guidance: Evaluate scenarios with good and bad foreseen consequences, ensuring proper distinction between intention and foreseen effects.
• Brute facts and institutional context mapping: Align descriptions with social institutions to understand obligations, rights, and transactions.
• Mental models repertoire: Apply frameworks like The Shopping List, The Project Director, and Formal vs. Material Object of Action to clarify culpability and description-based action.

Quick Start

Describe the action in question, ask “Why are you doing that?” to reveal the agent’s reasons, and identify the exact description under which the action is intentional.

request: > Analyzes moral dilemmas by applying Elizabeth Anscombe's action-theory to identify intentional actions and precise descriptions. Applies to scenarios involving intention vs. foresight, double effect, and critique of consequentialism across ethical questions. Outputs structured reasoning, maps to "Action Under a Description", "Brute Facts", and "Shopping List" mental models, and references the references/ materials.