Modernity and the Holocaust essays

Modernity and the Holocaust essays Q1. In Modernity and the Holocaust by Zygmunt Bauman, he introduces the concept of morality, based on the tragic history of the Holocaust. Morality can best be defined as the quality of an action which renders it good; the conformity of an act to the accepted standard of right (Dictionary.com). He goes on to explain his interest in modern civilization and he questions, what kind of society is this that morality does not exist? Bauman chose to elaborate on the Holocaust; he felt that this matter is inarguable. He elaborates on the fact that the 12 million people that were killed in the Holocaust were innocent. Six million of these were Jewish, the rest were Gypsy and anyone who was known to be homosexual, mentally disturbed or political enemies of the state. They were all killed, however none of these individuals fit the role of a criminal. These people were targeted because they were not considered pure blood; they were not of the Ariant race. Bauman stresses the fact that in order for all of this to have occurred, there had to be a strong organization. So strong that the people that participated in this massacre followed orders and did as they were told. These people that did not realize the immoral act that they were committing. This is exactly what Bauman questions, the fact that how can people loose all moral responsibility during work? In todays society, people partake in jobs that require specific responsibilities, no moral leeway. These types of jobs are evident in all of society. Based upon my knowledge of how people work, I have chosen a job that causes suffering to others although the people who work at that job do not recognize their cruelty. This job is laboratory scientists/animal testers. This job ends up producing cruel consequences, in that it tests on innocent animals for the sake of research. As an animal activist one can assure that not only is this job cruel, but also i ...