October 1943 - "A light in the darkness"?Thomas Brudholm examines historians' assessments of the rescue of the Jews in Denmark Many historians have talked about the resuce of the Jews in Denmark as a “light in the darkness.” In his contribution to a new book edited by R.M. Schott and K. Klercke (Philosophy on the Border, Museum Tusculanum Press), Thomas Brudholm presents a philosophical reflection on the use of this metaphor. Arguing on the basis of examples mainly from the Danish context, Brudholm argues that the reference to the “light in the darkness” can be seen as testimony of historians attempt to counter a certain tension between research and commemoration or history and memory. In other cases, the use of the metaphor is testimony of an edifying use of history. Trying to bring out for examination what is at stake with these uses of the rescue in 1943, the essay as a whole is an attempt to inspire more cooperation between philosophers and historians. Thomas Brudholm: “A Light in the Darkness? Philosophical Reflections on Historians’ Assessments of the Rescue of the Jews in Denmark in October 1943”, in R.M. Schott & K. Klercke (eds.), Philosophy on the Border, Copenhagen: Museum Tusculanum Press. |
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