How can an atheist call Hitler evil?

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·Nov 8, 2024

Andrew made a video, uh, in which he asks the question to atheists, was Hitler evil? Um, I think the gist of his question is the idea—uh, the idea behind it is that, uh, because atheists don't have a universal sense of right and wrong, can they condemn Hitler?

And, uh, the main thing to mention here is that atheism doesn't imply moral relativism. Atheists can and do believe that actions can be objectively right or wrong. So, the question was: was Hitler evil? Um, for me, the answer depends on the sense in which you're using the word evil.

Um, if a person who carries out morally wrong actions is evil, then yes, I think Hitler was evil. Uh, but on the other hand, if you're asking whether Hitler was under the influence of some false nature, uh, that gives rise to wickedness and sin, uh, then I don't think Hitler was evil and I don't think anyone else is.

Um, so you say atheists do not have a concept of good and evil; they do not believe in a universal concept of right and wrong? Um, that's not necessarily true. Um, so here are some ethical frameworks: utilitarianism, ideal observer theory, uh, egoism.

So, subscribers to these frameworks don't believe in gods, but they do believe that a particular action can be objectively right or wrong. So, the actions of Hitler, uh, would be condemned by subscribers to each of these theories.

Uh, there are some differences in—well, there are differences in, uh, the way subscribers to these theories would reach the conclusion that Hitler's actions were wrong, but they would all conclude that they were, in fact, wrong.

Um, I hope that answers your question. [Music]

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How can an atheist call Hitler evil?

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