The overwhelming impression is of professionals transformed into psychopaths – morally blinded, perhaps, by their narrow specialisms {that, at least, was the historian Friedrich Meinecke's theory}. Whether collecting rail fares, conducting experiments, devising slogans, writing theses or designing ovens, it was thousands of people like Scholz, Prü fer, Fischer and Oberhäuser who turned Hitler's deranged dream of genocide into reality. They, just as much as the sadistic SS-men described by Rudolf Reder, were the real perpetrators.
The text suggests that the actions of various professionals during the Nazi era depict a chilling transformation into a form of moral blindness, which might be attributed to their specialization and focus on their specific duties. This perspective is rooted in Friedrich Meinecke's theory, indicating that these individuals, like bureaucrats and academics, played a crucial role in facilitating Hitler's genocidal ambitions. They are portrayed as central figures in the machinery of destruction, reflecting a disturbing disregard for morality and humanity.
Niall Ferguson's examination highlights that these professionals, including individuals such as Scholz and Prüfer, were just as responsible for the atrocities as the more notorious perpetrators. Their everyday tasks contributed to the realization of Hitler's horrific vision, complicating the traditional narratives of guilt and accountability. By framing them as active participants rather than mere bystanders, Ferguson urges a reassessment of how ordinary people can be complicit in historical atrocities.
