The Reader notes Flashcards
Why is Hannah Schmitz being tried?
She was part of the SS, working in Auschwitz
Part of the selection process to send people to their deaths
Letting people die in a fire because she was following authoritative orders
How might her actions and decisions be explained according to the philosophy of determinism?
She was destined to work there and obey orders
She could not refrain from her actions because they were already determined
How might her actions and decisions be explained according to the philosophy of free will?
It was her choice to let those people die in the first instead of letting them escape. She could have allowed the doors to be open.
It was her choice to become a guard and to go along with the choosing process.
What is your view of the actions and decisions of Hanna? How should she be understood?
She was a simple and obedient person, and didn’t see any other option.
She did her best at picking the sick/weaker ones, but she still went along with the responsibilities of being a guard.
