Moore

Abstract

Unlike Russell’s influence, the profound significance of George Edward Moore’s philosophy and character for the literary history of Bloomsbury will not take us far from Cambridge. Moore, as he was called by his friends — the monosyllable somehow symbolising the incisive simplicity of his genius — was unquestionably the most important philosopher and Apostle for the Group. Yet, ever since the brilliant memoir in which Maynard Keynes undertook to describe how Moore shaped the early beliefs of himself and his friends, there have been disagreements within and without Bloomsbury about the nature of Moore’s influence.

‘Why dont you contribute to the Queen’s dolls House, Virginia?’ ‘Is there a W. C. in it, Vita?’ ‘You’re a bit hoity toity, Virginia.’ Well, I was educated in the old Cambridge School. ‘Ever hear of Moore?’ ‘George Moore the novelist?’ ‘My dear Vita, we start at different ends.’ (VW/L, III 85–6)