Making Sense of the Brutality of the Holocaust: Critical Themes and New Perspectives

ABSTRACT

This article offers an analytic, integrative review of select themes associated with one of history's greatest atrocities: the Holocaust. Much of this review considers general and Holocaust-specific themes as they pertain to the nature of senseless violence and evil. The importance of having a greater understanding of the sheer brutality of violence perpetuated in the Holocaust is emphasized. As part of this discussion, considerable attention is given to how Internet-based photographs and videos from the Holocaust era can provide greater insight into understanding the evil associated with this genocide. Some consideration of the larger meaning of the Holocaust, particularly for Jews, is also examined.

KEYWORDS:

• Evil
• genocide
• Holocaust
• senseless violence
• trauma

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Eric D. Miller

Eric D. Miller, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor of Psychology at Kent State University (East Liverpool Campus) in Ohio. His primary research and scholarly focus has examined how adults cope with and adjust to loss and other adverse events.