Scope for action by scientists under National Socialism: Metahistorical considerations and some examples from mathematics

Abstract:

The article proposes a clarification of the concept of scientists’ scope for action in the National Socialist state. To this end, eight dimensions of the possible and actual actions of scientists during this period are distinguished. Four of these dimensions concern the attitude of scientists towards National Socialism as expressed in their actions, and four others concern the functions they assumed within it. While these dimensions of action can be questioned for all scientific disciplines, they are illustrated here using examples from mathematics and directly related fields.