Nazism
Essay Preview: Nazism
Report this essay
I have a hard time thinking that anyone could believe the Nazis were a moral people. The Nazi people are unparalleled in the level of criminal unjust committed against a group of persons. Nazis however did believe they were moral and were justified in their actions. The idea of Nazism was a way of life and one must think, feel, and act as in the best interest of Nazi beliefs. The moral code of the Nazi people was one that followed the idea that Nazis were superior, competent, and pure. The moral code included the idea that those under persecution of the Nazis were inferior, less morally sound, and must use their tribulations to correct themselves to become a more loyal citizen of the community. One could classify their actions as racism and Social Darwinism. The Nazi people believed in filth and in accordance with the history of what happened in concentration camps, cleansing. Harold Ofstad is quoted of saying, “ÐThe Nazi faith must permeate ones entire being, penetrate the very core of ones soulÐ…” The moral code of the Nazis can be fairly labeled as a mistake of disastrous proportions, a group of people brainwashed from the strong sense of duty to a dictators beliefs, and a stain in history that will never be forgotten. Nazis believed that they were superior, they were morally sound in any action they may choose to take, they were justified to correct and or exterminate anyone being that was different from themselves, and that the Nazi belief and code of ethics was a way of life to carry one for eternity and to pass on for future generations. The moral code was one of imperfection, and many flaws that entitled the Nazi people to kill millions of Jews. The thought that the Nazi people were morally sound, or competent for that matter, is one that I hope every sane being can tell is false.
The Nazi moral code is a very controversial matter and is a topic that I am sure has been examined and studied for countless years. Every living human has a moral identity and has developed responses to social interaction with others. These moral identities define who we all are and what we think of ourselves. The way we think of ourselves and the level of response we act upon others dictates our physical actions. One will act out in accordance with the level of response they believe in towards events such as cruelty, disrespect, and generosity. It is human nature to act in accordance with the moral identity they posses. One may act in admiration of generosity and courage; one may arouse revulsion towards cruelty, and may defect from another from disrespect. The moral identity the Nazis possessed was one of no regard of sympathy, no regard of respect for the living or dead, and no regard of equality in humanity. The outcome and the responses that the Nazis developed in result of their identity were disastrous towards the Jews and the well being of humanity as a whole. When one looks at humanity in relationship to moral identities they could justify the idea that human beings must posses the response of respect and sympathy. These two principles, general in focus, are key to the success of harmony and well being of all living creatures. The Nazi moral code was based on the ideas that support people that have moral identities with no sympathy and respect for living beings or fellow humans. In every sane person there is a level of sympathy, not in the case of the Nazis, but there is sympathy for those in pain. As a human being and sharing the well being of every other human being, one must be compelled to sympathize and reach out to those in pain and suffering. The book mentions that human beings cant help but think of loved one such as mothers, fathers, wives, and children when witnessing and participating in torture and persecution. Humanity as a whole is at the fate of those sane individuals in this world that are sympathetic and are willing to help those who cant help themselves. Edmund Burke, a historical political philosopher, once said “Ð… The only thing necessary for the existence of evil, is for good men to do nothing.” The Nazis werent just in their actions and were not morally sound people. Their motives for their actions were that of a brainwashed drive to perform the duties to their country, however sadly it was for their dictators personal moral identity
The author of this excerpt had a lot of interesting points that actually make me think about where I stand on the issue. Glover made it seem, contrary to the rest of this book, that he was defending the individuals that participated in the Nazi movement. He doesnt claim to forgive or bring acceptance for the Nazi ideology, but rather for the men and women that were drawn into the movement. The people he speaks of and mentions that were members of the SS and Commandants of concentration camps are portrayed as victims as well. He brings light of how many German Nazis were forced into their positions because of the necessity of a sound life. Widow of Camp Commandant Joseph Kramer spoke of how the Nazi party promised her husband solutions to all his problems and gave Joseph the opportunity to believe in himself again. Kramer had been unemployed for nine years and was beginning to lose hope in life and in himself. His widow mentioned that the Nazi party caught him and he gave himself to the movement with all his heart. The author is trying to show that so many the men and women responsible for the killing of millions of Jews were innocent in the regard that it was all they had to help elevate themselves and give themselves hope of a future. Camp Commandant Hans HДјttig said,”…I knew very well what I was going to do in the SS. We all knew. It was something in the soul, not in the mind.” Glover is showing that regardless of the physical actions and atrocities that these men and women committed, they were innocent in the aspect that they were doing it because it was more than they were ever able to do. I gave them a sense of obligation and a sense of worth and value. The opportunity to be apart of the Nazi movement was hope for them and was a way for them to do something to bring honor and valor to their name. Unfortunately the movement they chose to be apart of and to bring honor