Anatomy of malice

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Anatomy of Malice by Joel E. Dimsdale

This book was inspired by author Joel E. Dimsdale's interest in understanding what made the Nazis evil. The question is undoubtedly more a philosophical than technical question, but the technical tools of psychology might provide some insight. In this case, the insight would seem to be slight, albeit the story is very interesting and informative.

Dimsdale examines the backgrounds and psychological history of four Nazis in particular, namely Robert Ley, Herman Goring, Julius Streicher and Rudolf Hess. However, before getting to those details, Dimsdale describes the history of the Nuremberg trial and the appointment and conflict between the psychiatrist appointed to examine the Nazi defendants. The conflict between these psychiatrists – Douglas Kelly and Gustave Gilbert – takes up a large part of the narrative. We are also introduced to Burton C. Andrus, the warden of the Nuremberg facility. Dimsdale makes these characters and their quirks engaging. We also get background on the cutting edge psychological tool of the Rorschach test, which frankly comes across as “mumbo jumbo.”

The debate about the Nazi war criminals was whether they were uniquely depraved in a way that psychology could identify as outside the norms of human nature – a position advanced by Gilbert – or if they were simply human beings, but perhaps more depraved than the norm – Kelly's position. It is not clear that there is an answer, but my sense is that Dimsdale inclines toward Kelly's position. The Nuremberg defendants selected by Dimsdale were odd, but were they odder than most people who had been defeated in war, were being held by their enemies and faced a death sentence? At some point, Rudolf Hess slipped the bonds of sanity, certainly by the time that he flew to Scotland, but much of his performance was either a habit formed to avoid interrogation or an act. Julius Streicher was an unpleasant person, who probably talked himself into his death sentence. (In my review of [[ASIN:0815411561 Julius Streicher: Nazi Editor of the Notorious Anti-semitic Newspaper Der Sturmer]] I wondered what Streicher had done to merit a death sentence, inasmuch as he was out of power by the time of World War II, and the answer seems to be that he was a jerk during the Nuremberg trial.) Robert Ley was an alcoholic and had a neurologically induced stutter who committed suicide before the trial. Finally, Goring was the most effective of the Nazis but was also addicted to pills and had the greatest claim to being a true psychopath.

Dimsdale seems to imply that the traits that these men exhibited could be found in most people. The difference, of course, is that these people were in a position where their lack of internal restraints, and indifference to transcendental concerns, allowed them to permit or assist in heinous acts.

For me, what characterized the cadre of Nuremberg defendants was that they were opportunists. They were most willing to adopt those moral values that would enable them to achieve the success they wanted. Nazism was particularly well-adapted to such people since it had at its core the “Fuhrer Principle” which held simply that a follower had to follow the Fuhrer wherever he led.

Dimsdale acknowledges that his quest was inconclusive in his conclusion:

“I was of course disappointed, but then I started to reflect. Would any archives have answered my questions about malice? The Bible says pointedly “The dark places of the earth are full of the habitations of cruelty” (Ps. 74: 80). The poet Pablo Neruda concludes more hopefully: “The earth is a bed / blooming for love, soiled in blood.” 8 Kelley found some darkness in every person. Gilbert found a unique darkness in some. They were both right.”

Nonetheless, don't let that prevent you from reading this book. It provides a glimpse into the lives of the Nazi high command, some thoughts on the development of psychology, a sketch of international justice, and some philosophy on the dark issue of human evil. The book is well-written and easily accessible to those with an interest in any of these subjects.