Realization

While watching the film on the capture on Adolf Echimann today I found myself wondering why he decided to hide and in such poverty. Adolf was a highly ranked official, yet when he ran from place to place he was often in the country sides where even addresses don’t exist. Then there’s the hiding itself. If he believed that what he accomplish and planned along with Hitler was morally correct, then logically he should have nothing to fear. For why should he be wanted for crimes he believes he did not commit? However, his obvious decision to hide from government officials proves one point: he knew he was guilty. He knew planning concentration camps and the massacre of a race are not widely accepted and is viewed as a crime, a war crime. Then from this arises another question. If he did indeed realize what he was doing at that time was morally incorrect then why did he do it? Most likely because he himself among others believed there was nothing wrong with exterminating a race. Perhaps he was confident they would win the war; hence there would be no consequences for him. Even now I cannot wrap my mind around the idea of these camps. What prompted them? If they knew the severity of their actions, why did they do it? Of course I know people often do what they want even if they know they aren’t allowed to, like a little kid stealing candy. However, I still cannot quite understand the mindset behind the final solution.