Eugenics as an Element of the Worldview and the Basis of Nazi Pedagogy in the Criticism of Polish Humanists

Abstract

The article is devoted to the presentation of the main points of criticism of
Nazism emerging in Germany in the 1930s. This criticism was carried out in Polish scientific
literature before September 1, 1939, that is, i.e. before the armed attack of Germany
on Poland. Its authors were Polish pedagogues and philosophers. An important thread of
the entire Polish trend of Nazism criticism was the disapproval of eugenics. It was understood
at that time as an element of the Nazi worldview that the Third Reich implemented
in education. The role of eugenics was strengthened by its understanding as a scientific
basis of racism. Education equipped with eugenics created a trend of pedagogy known
today as Nazi pedagogy. With its participation, the Germans tried to create an ideal German
(Nordic) race – a master race.