Konrad Lorenz: A Nobel Prize winner in the shadow of National Socialism

Konrad Lorenz: A Nobel Prize winner in the shadow of National Socialism

There is an important initiative in the municipality of Tulln that is bringing the controversial past of Nobel Prize winner Konrad Lorenz into focus. In collaboration with BOKU University and under the guidance of contemporary historian Oliver Rathkolb, an additional plaque will be set up on the street sign on Konrad-Lorenz-Straße, which will point out the problematic aspects of his biography. This project aims to place Lorenz's ideological entanglements with the Nazi regime in a historical context.

Konrad Lorenz, known for his pioneering work in comparative behavioral research, is often celebrated as a great scientist. But at the same time, in the 1940s he demonstrated a striking closeness to National Socialist ideology when he advocated the elimination of “ethically inferior people”. These ambivalent facets of his personality and his work are the focus of the new initiative.

The unveiling of the additional plaque

On November 11, 2024, BOKU Rector Eva Schulev-Steindl and Tulln's Mayor Peter Eisenschenk will officially unveil the additional plaque. Although Lorenz publicly admitted later in his life that he had adapted to racist views, he was denied a deeper discussion of this issue until his death. This inconsistency and the fact that he hid his membership in the NSDAP throughout his career cast a shadow over his work.

BOKU University is committed to shedding light on the Nazi past of its institution. Schulev-Steindl emphasizes: “We as BOKU see ourselves as having a responsibility to come to terms with all aspects of our university’s Nazi past.” This is also a reason why the street is not renamed. Mayor Eisenschenk emphasizes that knowledge about the Nazi past is crucial in order to prevent similar thought structures in the future.

Historical reflection and responsibility

Rathkolb, who wrote the report, makes it clear that Lorenz closely aligned himself with Nazi racist terminology in his publications and not only accepted these ideologies, but also supported them. These critical questions about scientific culture and its influence on research as well as Lorenz's legacy are part of the public discourse that is initiated by this initiative.

The Lorenz case is not only an example of the ambivalent relationship between science and ideology, but also a call for self-reflection in the scientific community. Rathkolb demands that a differentiated view of scientific achievements must take place without taboos in order to understand the complex nature of scientific work.

It remains to be seen how the local population reacts to this initiative and to what extent it contributes to coming to terms with history. Further information can be found at www.meinkreis.at.