Eichmann's Explanation Of Thoughtlessness

thoughtlessness”, or solely acting as a “cog in a machine” (Arendt, 1963). While totalitarianism has the ability to strip individuals of free thinking, totalitarianism cannot rob an individual of the basic human instinct to choose between right and wrong. Totalitarianism and government systems cannot be used to justify an individual participating in the mass genocide of millions. Eichmann made the conscious choice to commit human rights violations, and must be held accountable for the heinous decisions which he made. Furthermore, assuming that Eichmann was “thoughtless” in his actions, neglects real life accounts that prove that Eichmann’s motivations were evil, and he intended harm with every decision he made. Eichmann was not a thoughtless individual, who was simply acting on orders.

This is a clear example, of Eichmann’s actions being based in evil, and ill intentions. Eichmann’s intentions during the Holocaust were to cause harm, he made morally incorrect decisions that cannot be justified by totalitarianism or Arendt’s “banality” explanation. Arendt neglected the severity of Eichmann’s action by simply labelling him as “banal” and “thoughtless”. Genocide cannot be linked to “banality” and “thoughtlessness”, and cannot be justified by stating that totalitarian systems robbed Eichmann of the capacity to make moral decisions (Seybolt, 2014). Eichmann committed gross injustices, and had to be held accountable for his actions. Therefore, Eichmann deserved the outcome of his criminal proceeding, as the actions which he committed were evil, and, despite Arendt’s “banal” explanation for Eichmann’s actions, he had to be held personally responsible for the atrocities he