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

(Paperback)

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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.

Reviews

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. * Shofar: An Interdisciplinary Journal Of Jewish Studies *
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. -- Erich H. Loewy, University of California, Davis; Bioethics Program * H-Net: Humanities and Social Science Reviews Online *
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. -- P. K. Steinfeld,, Buena Vista University * Choice Reviews *
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. * Shofar: An Interdisciplinary Journal Of Jewish Studies *
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. * Mind: A Quarterly Review of Philosophy *
Lucid, thorough, original. This insightful and sensitive study will be of interest to students, scholars, and anyone concerned with guilt, responsibility, and the Holocaust. -- Roger W. Smith, president, Association of Genocide Scholars
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. -- David Evans, Staffordshire University
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. * Ethics: An International Journal of Social, Political, and Legal Philosophy *
Jones does an excellent job of connecting the fundamental ethical ideas about character and responsiblity to specfic situations faced in those grim times. -- Frank Fair, Sam Houston State University
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. -- John T. Pawlikowski, O.S.M, Ph.D., SHOFAR * Holocaust and Genocide Studies *

Author Bio

David H. Jones is professor of philosophy emeritus at The College of William & Mary.