Philosophy, Alfred Rosenberg and the military application of the social sciences

George Leaman

pp. 241-260

in: Carsten Klingemann, Michael Neumann, Karl-Siegbert Rehberg, Ilja Srubar (eds), Jahrbuch für Soziologiegeschichte 1992, Wiesbaden, Verlag für Sozialwissenschaften, 1994

Abstract

Several recent publications have revealed much about the development of professional philosophy in Germany during the years of the Nazi dictatorship.¹ It is now clear that many German philosophers supported the National Socialist "revolution" and eagerly approved of, and participated in, the dismantling of democratic structures at the German universities. It is also clear that pro-Nazi political activity by philosophers took many forms, including politically sympathetic public lectures, the publication of pro-Nazi texts, the participation in Nazi organized events, and membership in the NSDAP and its various organizations.² Yet scant attention has been given to two forms of political engagement in which philosophers actively supported the Nazi regime: the collaboration with the chief Nazi ideologue Alfred Rosenberg and the use of philosophy as a propaganda weapon in support of the German war effort. This article will outline both forms of this political activity, and identify the philosophers known to have been involved.