Hitler's justification for the Holocaust: "Nature is cruel. Therefore, we too may be cruel. If I don't mind sending the pick of the German people into the hell of war without regret for the spilling of precious German blood, then naturally I have the right to destroy millions of men of an inferior race who increase like vermin."

In other words, if societies give national leaders the right to send their own soldiers to their deaths (and consider this moral), why would German society nor also have the right to send Jews--enemies of the people--to their deaths?

The Holocaust grew out of this syllogism.

Hitler was making a subtle critique of warfare: OK, societies give leaders the right to send their own soldiers to fight and die in battle. Societies consider these leaders virtuous. If this is the case, why would I not also be morally justified if I send the enemies of the German people to die a horrible death?