Philosopher's Zone Auschwitz: experiencing what can't be experienced
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Jan 23, 2025 Matthew Sharp, an Associate Professor in Philosophy at Australian Catholic University, delves into the ethical dilemmas surrounding representations of Auschwitz in literature and film. He shares a poignant personal account of visiting the site, revealing the complexities of human emotion amid atrocity. Sharp emphasizes the chilling relevance of Auschwitz's lessons today, examining the rise of anti-Semitism in Australia and the normalization of extremist ideologies. His insights challenge us to confront our own complicity in moral issues influenced by technology and social media.
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Auschwitz Visit
- Matthew Sharp visited Auschwitz on a warm, sunny day in June 2019, contrary to his expectations of a cold place.
- His memories of the two and a half to three hours spent there are vivid, despite his self-proclaimed poor memory.
Fellow Tourist
- During the tour, Sharp encountered a tattooed, muscular man from Russia who initially seemed to fit a neo-Nazi stereotype.
- However, the man expressed pride in the Russian liberation of Auschwitz but later played violent video games, unsettling other tourists.
Beyond the Trees
- The tour of Auschwitz did not include the area where the crematoria were located, leaving Sharp feeling he hadn't seen the full extent of the horror.
- The Nazis destroyed evidence of their crimes, mirroring the far right's post-war shift to coded language to conceal their true intentions.