What were their deepest convictions?
Why did they torture and kill so many people?
For many the Nazi mentality seems to be completely incoherent and irrational;
a group of hooligans spoiling for a fight. But there is much more to it than this.
National Socialism (Nazi for short) is a particular type of fascism and it is well
worth examining this most aggressive and virulent movement
a Struggle for Survival
must go to the wall.
She (Nature) teaches us that what may
seem cruel to us, because it affects us
personally or because we have been
brought up in ignorance of her laws, is
nevertheless often essential if a higher
way of life is to be attained.
Nature knows nothing of the notion of
humanitarianism which signifies that the
weak must at all costs be surrounded and
preserved even at the expense of the
strong.
Adolf Hitler
(Speech to officer cadets at
the Bergof, 22 June, 1944)
(Speech to officer cadets at
the Bergof, 22 June, 1944)
Hitler, himself, was very impressed by this philosophy that had become
popular in Europe at the end of the 19th century. Evolution, according to this
perspective, was cruel and merciless.
Life is in essence a ruthless struggle for existence. Insects, animals and
human beings are all involved in a titanic struggle for survival. Every creature is constantly at war with its 'neighbour'.
According to Social Darwinism, humanitarian efforts to protect the weak and
vulnerable members of society contradict the basic nature of human life. Social and political policy must adapt itself to this fundamental principle.