Moral Responsibility in the Holocaust: A Study in the Ethics of Character

In Moral Responsibility in the Holocaust, David H. Jones goes beyond historical and psychological explanations of the Holocaust to directly address the moral responsibility of individuals involved in it. While defending the view that individuals caught up in large-scale historical events like the Holocaust are still responsible for their choices, he provides the philosophical tools needed to assess the responsibility, both negative and positive, of perpetrators, accomplices, bystanders, victims, helpers, and rescuers.

Table of Contents:
Chapter 1 Preface Chapter 2 Acknolwedgements Chapter 3 Introduction Part 4 1 The Ethics of Responsibility Chapter 5 1 Moral Responsibility Chapter 6 2 Moral Character Chapter 7 3 Excuses Chapter 8 4 Self-Deception Part 9 2 Application of the Ethics of Responsibility to Problems Raised by the Holocaust Chapter 10 5 Political Culture, Socialization, and Responsiblity Chapter 11 6 The Principal Perpetrator: Adolpfh Hitler Chapter 12 7 Perpetrators: The Men in Police Battalions Chapter 13 8 Victims Chapter 14 9 Helpers, Rescuers, and Bystanders Chapter 15 Conclusion Chapter 16 About the Author Chapter 17 Index

About the Author :
David H. Jones is professor of philosophy emeritus at The College of William & Mary.

Review :
David H. Jones has provided students and teachers of the Holocaust with a clearly written, well organized exploration of the basic moral issues surrounding the murder of six million Jews. Jones's book is an important and valuable contribution to the study of ethics and the Holocaust. This book . . . must receive serious consideration by all those who wish to gain an understanding of the Nazi Holocaust and who seek to prevent it and similar occurences. . . . It is written in easily accessible and, indeed, elegant language and yet is thorough in dealing with relevant philosophical works. Jones is at his best in the profound analysis of self-deception he offers. . . . Recommended for undergraduates reflecting on the ethical implications of the Holocaust. While defending the view that individuals caught up in large-scale historic events like the Holocaust are still responsible for their choices, he provides the philosophical tools needed to assess the responsibility, both negative and positive, of perpetrators, accomplices, bystanders, victims, helpers, and rescuers. As a pedagogical presentation, it is exemplary for its thoroughness and clarity. This book is a serious contribution to current moral philosophy. It should certainly be on the agenda of all pilosophers and teachers who are concerned with deep issues of value where matters of life and death are raised. Lucid, thorough, original. This insightful and sensitive study will be of interest to students, scholars, and anyone concerned with guilt, responsibility, and the Holocaust. This book is a serious contribtion to current moral philosophy. It should certainly be on the agenda of all pilosophers and teachers who are concerned with deep issues of value where matters of life and death are raised. Bringing ethical theory and history together, Jones admirably shows how Holocaust studies challenge philosophy and also how philosophical reflection can shed important light on a tremendously dark chapter of human experience. Jones does an excellent job of connecting the fundamental ethical ideas about character and responsiblity to specfic situations faced in those grim times. A welcome addition to the growing body of post-Holocaust ethics literature...this rich book highlights central issues in the discussion of ethics and the Holocaust. It should be a bibliographic imperative in this field.