ia_2011_a_nash

=Plan of the Investigation (100-150 Words) Tips]=

This essay plans to answer the question, ‘How useful is a study of the career of Josef Mengele to the historian studying Nazi eugenic policies?’ the question was chosen following the viewing of ‘Boys from Brazil’. After watching the vivid portrayal of Mengele by Gregory Peck, I found myself wanting to learn more about the Angel of Death, and Nazi wartime eugenic policies. The film describes an impossible plan to recreate a new Hitler, but also delves into some of the experiments that Mengele carried out as a doctor in Auschwitz. I have structured the analysis section of my essay in the following format to answer the proposed question. Firstly I will explore the historical significance[1] of Nazi eugenics and Mengele at the time, and more importantly, why it is still important to us in the present day. I plan to analyse the evidence I have selected to see whether Mengele is useful to the history, assessing his values and limitations using sources and quotes to help try and find a real conclusion. Lastly, I plan to consider whether Nazi Eugenics raise fundamental problems in terms of historiography and philosophy, thereby drawing on the Theory of Knowledge element of the IB course. Throughout this essay, I will take reference to a number of sources, including the book//s//[2] films[3]//,// websites, interviews [4], and photographs.[5]

[1] Why is this question important? Why is it that Nazi Eugenics are well known and not a forgotten subject? It is because of the horrors which were a result of this massive program which the Nazis tried desperately to work; but ultimately failed in perfect a master race. It is the great failure with no silver lining, which gave it such profound importance. in the 21st century, we still have much debate about Eugenics, and so these years can never be forgotten. As for Josef Mengele, he was most famously known as one of the most sinister and sadistic doctors in history; nicknamed the Angel of Death. A study into his past would be useful not only to a historian or normal person, but especially to a young scientist who would break the rules of objectivity and subjectivity in science, how he broke that border, and how he seemed to show no mercy towards others. This can be used as an example to why it was important then, and why it still is now. Eugenics has been a debate which is prominent in our lives all the time. Since the late 19th Century, medical journals have called for ‘the right to die’. Even now people debate about assisted suicide, Euthanasia,nd Genetic Engineering, which all fit into the same subject of Eugenics. Since the horrors of Mengele and other pseudo scientists, Eugenics has been a taboo subject which is illegal in almost every country in the world.

[2] Posner, Gerald L., and John Ware. //Mengele: the Complete Story//. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1986. ISBN 0-8154-1006-9

[3] Boys from Brazil 1978, Director : Franklin J. Schaffner, Author : Ira Levin

[4] // Vera Alexander, interviewed by Central Television (London) for Home Box Office production “The Search for Mengele” October 1985 //

[5] see appendices x