Stalin and Hitler did not suffer from lack of clarity. They knew exactly what they were doing
Yes, hypocrisy is not the problem with them.
Intellectuals who supported, and support, Lenin, […], and so forth, knew what they doing.
No, I don’t think that they did or do! Orwell was writing to intellectuals who were in denial about what Stalin was doing and why. Here is where hypocrisy causes problems.
One might say that, in a general sense, Stalin and Hitler were in possession of ‘cold logic’, much like ‘cold empathy’. One can know both how to, and how not to, steal the cookie, and the effects that will have, and the moral consequences of that, but in the end, if one’s intent is evil, then one’s actions will be evil, especially if one knows all the consequences of their actions. Logic is blind; in the end, it is subservient to the will of the wielder, and merely amplifies the actions of the individual, whether good or evil. In the same way, hypocrisy is only a ‘good’ or ‘evil’ thing when it contradicts ‘evil’ or ‘good’ ideals. One can think one’s way into and out of any situation one wishes; who here has read Donne’s poetry?
Yes, hypocrisy is not the problem with them.
No, I don’t think that they did or do! Orwell was writing to intellectuals who were in denial about what Stalin was doing and why. Here is where hypocrisy causes problems.
One might say that, in a general sense, Stalin and Hitler were in possession of ‘cold logic’, much like ‘cold empathy’. One can know both how to, and how not to, steal the cookie, and the effects that will have, and the moral consequences of that, but in the end, if one’s intent is evil, then one’s actions will be evil, especially if one knows all the consequences of their actions. Logic is blind; in the end, it is subservient to the will of the wielder, and merely amplifies the actions of the individual, whether good or evil. In the same way, hypocrisy is only a ‘good’ or ‘evil’ thing when it contradicts ‘evil’ or ‘good’ ideals. One can think one’s way into and out of any situation one wishes; who here has read Donne’s poetry?