Alice Ambrose
Encyclopedia
Alice Ambrose Lazerowitz (November 25, 1906 – January 25, 2001) was an American philosopher, logician, and author.
Alice Ambrose was born in Lexington, Illinois
and studied philosophy and mathematics at Millikin University
. After completing her PhD at the University of Wisconsin–Madison
in 1932, she went to Cambridge University
to study with G. E. Moore and Wittgenstein, where she earned a second PhD in 1938. Having become a close disciple of Wittgenstein, she later related her association with him in Ludwig Wittgenstein: Philosophy and Language (1972), a volume co-edited with her husband Morris Lazerowitz. She was one of a select group of students to whom Wittgenstein dictated the so-called Blue and Brown Books
, which outline the transition in Wittgenstein's thought between his two major works, Tractatus Logico-philosophicus and Philosophical Investigations. Wittgenstein terminated their association abruptly in 1935 when Ambrose decided, with encouragement from Moore, to publish an article entitled "Finitism in Mathematics" in the philosophical journal Mind which was intended to give an account of Wittgenstein's position on the subject.
From 1937 Ambrose taught at Smith College
, and in 1964 she was appointed to the chair in philosophy there. She worked chiefly in logic and mathematical philosophy, writing a primer on the subject with her husband which became a widely-used textbook and was known as "Ambrose and Lazerowitz". She retired in 1972.
Alice Ambrose was born in Lexington, Illinois
Lexington, Illinois
Lexington is a city in McLean County, Illinois, United States. The population was 2,060 at the 2010 census. There are two theories of its name. One says it was named for the Battle of Lexington, where General Gridley's father fought...
and studied philosophy and mathematics at Millikin University
Millikin University
Millikin University is an American co-educational, comprehensive, private, four-year university with traditional undergraduate programs in arts and sciences, business, fine arts, and professional studies, as well as non-traditional, adult degree-completion programs and graduate programs in...
. After completing her PhD at the University of Wisconsin–Madison
University of Wisconsin–Madison
The University of Wisconsin–Madison is a public research university located in Madison, Wisconsin, United States. Founded in 1848, UW–Madison is the flagship campus of the University of Wisconsin System. It became a land-grant institution in 1866...
in 1932, she went to Cambridge University
University of Cambridge
The University of Cambridge is a public research university located in Cambridge, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest university in both the United Kingdom and the English-speaking world , and the seventh-oldest globally...
to study with G. E. Moore and Wittgenstein, where she earned a second PhD in 1938. Having become a close disciple of Wittgenstein, she later related her association with him in Ludwig Wittgenstein: Philosophy and Language (1972), a volume co-edited with her husband Morris Lazerowitz. She was one of a select group of students to whom Wittgenstein dictated the so-called Blue and Brown Books
Blue and Brown Books
The Blue and Brown Books are two sets of notes taken during lectures conducted by Ludwig Wittgenstein between 1933 and 1935. They were mimeographed as two separated books and a few copies were circulated in a restricted circle during Wittgenstein's lifetime. The lecture notes from 1933-4 were...
, which outline the transition in Wittgenstein's thought between his two major works, Tractatus Logico-philosophicus and Philosophical Investigations. Wittgenstein terminated their association abruptly in 1935 when Ambrose decided, with encouragement from Moore, to publish an article entitled "Finitism in Mathematics" in the philosophical journal Mind which was intended to give an account of Wittgenstein's position on the subject.
From 1937 Ambrose taught at Smith College
Smith College
Smith College is a private, independent women's liberal arts college located in Northampton, Massachusetts. It is the largest member of the Seven Sisters...
, and in 1964 she was appointed to the chair in philosophy there. She worked chiefly in logic and mathematical philosophy, writing a primer on the subject with her husband which became a widely-used textbook and was known as "Ambrose and Lazerowitz". She retired in 1972.
See also
- American philosophyAmerican philosophyAmerican philosophy is the philosophical activity or output of Americans, both within the United States and abroad. The Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy notes that while American philosophy lacks a "core of defining features, American Philosophy can nevertheless be seen as both reflecting and...
- List of American philosophers