Science in the Third Reich: v. 13 (German Historical Perspectives) - Hardcover

Margit Szöllösi-Janze

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1859734162 ISBN 13: 9781859734162

Publisher: Berg Publishers, 2001

Synopsis

How true is it that National Socialism led to an ideologically distorted pseudo-science? What was the relationship between the regime funding useful' scientific projects and the scientists offering their expertise? And what happened to the German scientific community after 1945, especially to those who betrayed and denounced Jewish colleagues? In recent years, the history of the sciences in the Third Reich has become a field of growing importance, and the in-depth research of a new generation of German scholars provides us with new, important insights into the Nazi system and the complicated relationship between an elite and the dictatorship. This book portrays the attitudes of scientists facing National Socialism and war and uncovers the continuities and discontinuities of German science from the beginning of the twentieth century to the postwar period. It looks at ideas, especially the Humboldtian concept of the university; examines major disciplines such as eugenics, pathology, biochemistry and aeronautics, as well as technologies such as biotechnology and area planning; and it traces the careers of individual scientists as actors or victims. The striking results of these investigations fill a considerable gap in our knowledge of the Third Reich but also of the postwar role of German scientists within Germany and abroad.

About this title

Product Description:

This volume presents recent historical research into aspects of the complex relationship between the sciences and National Socialism, in many cases reaching back to the earlier years of the 20th century. Beginning with the editor's introductory essay and a study of Humboldt's concept of the university, the essays deal with disciplines including geography, eugenics, biochemistry and aeronautics; technologies such as bio-technology and area planning; and the careers of individual scientists.

Review:

"A fascinating collection of essays . . . The generation of German historians that has written these essays . . . see this period with in Germany with lucidity - something that has vauable, indeed crucial, lessons to teach." --The Times Higher Education Supplement

About this edition

• Publisher: Berg Publishers
• Publication date: 2001
• ISBN 10: 1859734162
• ISBN 13: 9781859734162
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 256
• Editor: Margit Szöllösi-Janze