Inside Mental Health

Psychology of Holocaust Denial Unveiled

May 9, 2024

Dr. David Hazony, an expert on Jewish philosophy, discusses the troubling rise of Holocaust denial rooted in conspiracy theories and antisemitism. He warns of the consequences of dismissing the Holocaust and highlights the need to understand the motivations behind denialism. The podcast explores the mindset of deniers and the challenges in countering dangerous misinformation, especially among younger generations.

28:01

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David Hazony

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Quick takeaways

Holocaust denial stems from anti-Semitism and distrust of authority, fueling dangerous beliefs and conspiracy theories.

Confronting Holocaust denial requires educational interventions and critical thinking skills to combat irrational beliefs and societal challenges.

Deep dives

Understanding Holocaust Denial: Rooted in Conspiracy Theories and Anti-Semitism

Holocaust denial embodies conspiracy theories and anti-Semitism, mirroring the distrust of authority figures commonly found in conspiracy believers. Anti-Semitism has a long history, fueling false accusations and dangerous beliefs about Jews. The post-World War II era saw the emergence of Holocaust denial, initially perpetuated by the Nazis' attempts to cover up their atrocities. The phenomenon fits into the broader context of anti-Semitic conspiracy theories resurging through Cold War propaganda.

Introduction

2min

Unveiling the Dark Phenomenon of Holocaust Denial

12min

Exploring the Psychology of Holocaust Denialism

4min

Facing the Rise of Holocaust Denialism

7min

Promotion of Books, Public Speaking Services, and OCD Treatment Sponsorship

2min

“The Holocaust was real” should not be a controversial statement, but sadly it has become one. Today, we feature Dr. David Hazony, an expert on Jewish philosophy, who dives into the troubling rise of Holocaust denial and its roots in conspiracy theory and antisemitism.

Hazony describes Holocaust denial as not only an offshoot of historical antisemitism but also a mechanism for individuals to express disenchantment with societal authorities, attributing personal or societal failures to fabricated Jewish conspiracies. He emphasizes the grave consequences of dismissing the Holocaust, warning that such denial undermines the lessons learned from one of history's darkest chapters, potentially making society vulnerable to repeating past atrocities.

“When you don't want to believe something, you find ways of not believing it. When there's a market for disbelief and denial, you'll find people prepared to fulfill the needs of that market through false scholarship, through false books, through false documentaries and films, and all of the false information. The question is not so much what are they thinking as why are they thinking it. What need does it fulfill? What role in society does it fulfill? Why does it make them feel good? And how do we get to the bottom of what's driving people who want to believe that they’re forces geared up against them to take away that which is rightfully theirs? That's the real question that we need to ask.” ~Dr. David Hazony

To learn more -- or read the transcript -- visit the official episode page.

David Hazony is an award-winning editor, translator, and author. He is the former editor-in-chief of the journal Azure and was the founding editor of TheTower.org. His book “The Ten Commandments” (Scribner, 2010) was a finalist for the National Jewish Book Award. His translation of Uri Bar-Joseph’s “The Angel” (HarperCollins, 2016) won the National Jewish Book Award. He has edited two previous anthologies: “Essential Essays on Judaism” by Eliezer Berkovits (Shalem, 2002) and, with Yoram Hazony and Michael B. Oren, “New Essays on Zionism” (Shalem, 2007). He has a PhD in Jewish Philosophy from the Hebrew University and lives in Jerusalem.

Our host, Gabe Howard, is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author.

Gabe makes his home in the suburbs of Columbus, Ohio. He lives with his supportive wife, Kendall, and a Miniature Schnauzer dog that he never wanted, but now can’t imagine life without.

To book Gabe for your next event or learn more about him, please visit gabehoward.com.

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