Elitism and Nazism

Well this is another propaganda piece which fails to make any real point.Even if the Nazis actions WERE consistent with evolutionary theory that would only tell us that the natural world is full of violence and death and does not form a good basis for human morality.And it is far from clear that Hitler was applying evolutionary theory. He had no clear scientific program. His racial ideas came from writers whose work preceded Darwin's, such as Gobineau. Christians had been massacring Jews for centuries without any "evolutionary" justification, and the legacy of that hatred almost certainly contributed more to the Holocaust than evolution ever did. Indeed, the resort to mass slaughter indicates that Hitler had no trust that *natural* selection would produce the result he wanted.Even if Keith were correct - and I disagree - it does not follow that evolution formed a genuine justification for the holocaust and even if it did it would be no criticism of the theory. An unpleasant truth is still a truth

It isn't propaganda ? Then what was the point of it ? It certainly wasn;t for my benefit since I already knew more than was in the essay. Looks to me like it was an attempt to attack evolution by linking it to the Nazis . With plenty of spin and selective reporting. That spells p-r-op-a-g-a-n-d-a to me.A proper understanding of Darwin, doesn't lead to the idea of as super-race, and Nietsche would hardly have regarded anti-semitic German Nationalists as superior.Now if you want a real example of racial elitism consider th Biblical idea of the Chosen Race and the Promised Land. Look at the current violence in Israel and Palestine - and the glorification of genocide in the Bible. Why don't you use that as your example of the dangers of elitism ? It's better in every respect - apart from not being convenient for your propaganda.

I have to add that I find the propaganda put forward by "The Gneral" and Syamasu pretty disgusting. Using the Holocaust in what amounts to a "smear campaign" puts their own petty prejudices above the true horrors of the 3rd Reich.

My point is that there are many more important influences on Nazi belief than evolution and Nietzsche. These are being completely ignored by those trying to place the blame on evolutionary theory.For instance Gobineau's ideas of Aryan superiority:http://concise.britannica.com/ebc/article?eu=381207
explicitly names it as '...the basis of the Nazi policy of exterminating Jews, Gypsies (Roma), and other non-Aryans.'The companion article on Gobineau is at:
http://concise.britannica.com/ebc/article?eu=391045Note the publication dates.We haven't even got to other influences such as Richard Wagner, the nationalistic and anti-semitic composer whose music was loved by Hitler.Anyone who was really concerned about the Holocaust would not spend their time attacking minor influences. What disgusts me is people who think that attacking views they personally dislike is more important than the suffering of the victims.