Hitler's Ethic: The Nazi Pursuit of Evolutionary Progress

by R. Weikart

Overview

In this book, Weikart helps unlock the mystery of Hitler's evil by vividly demonstrating the surprising conclusion that Hitler's immorality flowed from a coherent ethic. Hitler was inspired by evolutionary ethics to pursue the utopian project of biologically improving the human race.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780230112735
Publisher:	Palgrave Macmillan US
Publication date:	05/09/2011
Edition description:	2009
Pages:	254
Product dimensions:	5.10(w) x 7.80(h) x 0.70(d)

About the Author

RICHARD WEIKART Professor of Modern European History at California State University, Stanislaus, USA. He has published three previous books, including From Darwin to Hitler and his prize-winning dissertation, Socialist Darwinism. He has also published numerous essays on social Darwinism in anthologies and leading journals, such as German Studies Review, Journal of the History of Ideas, and Isis.

Table of Contents

Introduction Hitler as Moral Crusader and Liar The Cult of Evolutionary Progress Racial Struggle Morally Upright Aryans and Immoral Jews Hitler's Socialism: Building the People's Community Sexual Morality and Population Expansion Controlling Reproduction to Improve the Human Species The Struggle for Living Space: War and Expansionism Justifying Murder and Genocide Conclusion

Editorial Reviews

'There have been many attempts to provide the key to Hitler's world of ideas but Richard Weikart has succeeded in revealing what must be the central element in any understanding of Hitler's world view. The terrible paradox at the heart of the Third Reich, that biological utopia could only be created by intense physical suffering and violence, now has a proper explanation. What seemed to others bizarrely immoral appeared to Hitler an honourable duty.' - Richard Overy, Professor of History, University of Exeter, UK

From the Publisher