Abstract

This dissertation is an investigation into the continuity of Western notions of perfection that are at the core of the ideology of the Schutzstaffel. It is the author's contention that the biologically based ideology of the SS was essentially oriented towards social perfectibility, and that their concern with perfection was not an anomaly of fascism, but was consistent with a longer European tradition which originated in Greek philosophy, and was later modified by both Christian theologians and Enlightenment Philosophes. ;By drawing upon Greek, Christian, Reformation, Enlightenment, Counter-Enlightenment, volkisch and SS documents, the continuity of the European quest for perfection is demonstrated, even though the object of perfection is shown to be different in each case. Spiritual, philosophical, social, and material perfection are discussed within this tradition as different ends for which perfection was sought. ;Juxtaposed against perfection is the notion of corruption. In order that perfection not be compromised, corruption had to be overcome. This could be accomplished by means of grace , education , or selective breeding . If, however, the individual were deemed intrinsically incapable of perfectibility, then permanent exclusion from society was required. ;Enlightenment philosophy inherited this attitude from Christianity, and individuals considered naturally deficient in reason were excluded from the universal process toward secular perfectibility. Although the 19th century German Counter-Enlightenment philosophers rejected the Enlightenment's emphasis on rationality, they accepted the exclusionary politics of the corruption/perfection dichotomy. ;The rise of volkisch and Nazi ideologies is discussed against this background, and provides the immediate setting for the growth of a specific SS ideology of perfection and corruption which is consistent with the patterns of its Hellenic, Christian, Enlightenment and Counter-Enlightenment antecedents. The Schutzstaffel is shown to have continued in this rich intellectual tradition which provided the foundations upon which the SS ideologies of social and racial perfection were erected