Reductio ad Hitlerum

As a reductio ad Hitlerum (Latin " reduction to Hitler" ), also: argumentum ad Hitlerum ( " directed at Hitler proof" ), the philosopher Leo Strauss called an unavoidable fallacy was often used as a substitute for the reductio ad absurdum. The correctness of a view should be refuted that this was shared by Adolf Hitler.

Classification

The fallacy underlying is a special case of non sequitur (Latin for " it does not follow "). In English it is also commonly referred to as an association fallacy ( association fallacy ) as guilt by association ( guilt by affiliation ) or. The derivation is as follows:

The first two statements may in itself constitute true facts. However, the conclusion is invalid because it is not logically deduced by the premises. The validity of a statement is not affected by negative front, but ultimately irrelevant characteristics of the person who makes it. The falsification of a statement using the reductio ad Hitlerum is inadmissible for this reason.

If you try with the reductio ad Hitlerum to transfer the negative associations with the person of Adolf Hitler on the person of the armed enemy and bring him into disrepute, this is in addition to an argumentum ad hominem.

Example

A person committed to animal welfare. Person B rejects this on the sole ground that Adolf Hitler stood up for the welfare of animals, and thus uses the reductio ad Hitlerum.

This example makes it clear that by most people as negatively perceived person ( Adolf Hitler) may well hold views that are mainly perceived as positive ( animal protection). The fallacy underlying is more evident the greater the discrepancy between these two factors. The reductio ad Hitlerum is therefore most effective when the objectionable view is also rated negative by the majority.

Prominent applications

• 2002 to the then Minister of Justice Herta Däubler -Gmelin compared the political methods of George W. Bush with those of Adolf Hitler, by allegedly said in a talk: " Bush wants to divert attention from his domestic problems. This is a popular method. This has also been made ​​Hitler. " Däubler -Gmelin denied this representation. The affair sparked diplomatic upsets, the U.S. Secretary of State and the White House spokesman outraged over the alleged statements Däubler- Gmelin.

Context

The phrase is introduced by Strauss in the context of a discussion of the theories of sociologist Max Weber, who wanted to use the social sciences value-free and ethically neutral.

This approach of Weber leads according to Strauss need to nihilism or the view that before the judgment of the mind every conception - as bad, mean or crazy as always - as legitimate as any other opinion. According to Strauss, Weber saw the Western civilization from the alternative, either to renew themselves spiritually and return to old values ​​or fall victim to a mechanical petrification under a shell spasmodic self- consciousness. A decision between these alternatives have Weber perceived as a value - judgment or belief and therefore rejected from the standpoint of reason. Strauss criticizes this approach is that then the life of a mindless specialists or heartless voluptuary could be defended as well as a recommended Amos or Socrates life.

Weber had concealed these consequences to himself, claims Strauss and want to fathom why. To this end, one must follow the thoughts Weber step by step you can inevitably to a point beyond which the considerations of Hitler would be overshadowed. Strauss is now but keep in mind that a view is not to be rejected solely because Hitler has represented them:

"Unfortunately, it does not go without saying 'that' in our examination we must avoid the fallacy 'that' in the load Decades Has frequently been used as a substitute for the reductio ad absurdum: the reductio ad Hitlerum. A view is not refuted by the factthat it happens to have been shared by Hitler. "

"Unfortunately, it is necessary to point out that one has in our study avoid the fallacy has often been drawn in the last decades, as a substitute for the reductio ad absurdum: the reductio ad Hitlerum. A view is not refuted by the fact that it has been randomly shared by Hitler. "