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| [[File:lighterstill.jpg]][[File:Parthenon_from_south.jpg|right|frame]] | | [[File:lighterstill.jpg]][[File:Parthenon_from_south.jpg|right|frame]] |
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− | *Date: [http://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/15th_Century 15th century] | + | *Date: [https://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/15th_Century 15th century] |
| ==Definitions== | | ==Definitions== |
| *1 : degenerate condition | | *1 : degenerate condition |
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| <center>For lessons on the [[topic]] of '''''Degeneration''''', follow [https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Category:Degeneration '''''this link'''''].</center> | | <center>For lessons on the [[topic]] of '''''Degeneration''''', follow [https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Category:Degeneration '''''this link'''''].</center> |
| ==Description== | | ==Description== |
− | The [[idea]] of '''degeneration''' had significant [[influence]] on [[science]], art and [[politics]] from the 1850s to the 1950s. The [[social]] [[theory]] [[developed]] consequently from [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Darwin Charles Darwin]'s [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theory_of_Evolution Theory of Evolution]. [[Evolution]] meant that [[mankind]]'s [[development]] was no longer fixed and certain, but could [[change]] and evolve or degenerate into an unknown [[future]], possibly a bleak future that clashes with the [[analogy]] between evolution and civilization as a [[progressive]] positive direction. | + | The [[idea]] of '''degeneration''' had significant [[influence]] on [[science]], art and [[politics]] from the 1850s to the 1950s. The [[social]] [[theory]] [[developed]] consequently from [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Darwin Charles Darwin]'s [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theory_of_Evolution Theory of Evolution]. [[Evolution]] meant that [[mankind]]'s [[development]] was no longer fixed and certain, but could [[change]] and evolve or degenerate into an unknown [[future]], possibly a bleak future that clashes with the [[analogy]] between evolution and civilization as a [[progressive]] positive direction. |
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− | As a consequence, [[theorists]] assumed the [[human]] [[species]] might be overtaken by a more [[adaptable]] species or circumstances might change and suit a more adapted species. Degeneration theory presented a pessimistic outlook for the [[future]] of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_culture western civilization] as it believed the [[progress]] of the 19th century had begun to work against itself. | + | As a consequence, [[theorists]] assumed the [[human]] [[species]] might be overtaken by a more [[adaptable]] species or circumstances might change and suit a more adapted species. Degeneration theory presented a pessimistic outlook for the [[future]] of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_culture western civilization] as it believed the [[progress]] of the 19th century had begun to work against itself. |
| ==History== | | ==History== |
− | [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Georges-Louis_Leclerc,_Comte_de_Buffon Georges-Louis Leclerc, Comte de Buffon] (1707–1788) was the first to define "degeneration" as a [[theory]] of [[nature]]. Buffon incorrectly [[argued]] that entire [[species]] "degenerated" becoming sterile, weaker, or smaller due to harsh [[climates]]. By 1890 there was a growing fear of degeneration sweeping across Europe creating disorders that led to [[poverty]], [[crime]], alcoholism, [[moral]] [[perversion]] and [[political]] [[violence]]. Degeneration raised the possibility that Europe may be creating a class of degenerate people who may attack the [[social]] [[norms]], this led to support for a strong [[state]] which [[police]]s degenerates out of [[existence]] with the assistance of [[scientific]] [[identification]]. | + | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Georges-Louis_Leclerc,_Comte_de_Buffon Georges-Louis Leclerc, Comte de Buffon] (1707–1788) was the first to define "degeneration" as a [[theory]] of [[nature]]. Buffon incorrectly [[argued]] that entire [[species]] "degenerated" becoming sterile, weaker, or smaller due to harsh [[climates]]. By 1890 there was a growing fear of degeneration sweeping across Europe creating disorders that led to [[poverty]], [[crime]], alcoholism, [[moral]] [[perversion]] and [[political]] [[violence]]. Degeneration raised the possibility that Europe may be creating a class of degenerate people who may attack the [[social]] [[norms]], this led to support for a strong [[state]] which [[police]]s degenerates out of [[existence]] with the assistance of [[scientific]] [[identification]]. |
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− | In the 1850s French doctor [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/B%C3%A9n%C3%A9dict_Morel Bénédict Morel] [[argued]] more vigorously that certain [[groups]] of people were degenerating, going backwards in terms of [[evolution]] so each generation became weaker and weaker. This was based on pre-Darwinian [[ideas]] of [[evolution]], especially those of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jean-Baptiste_Lamarck Jean-Baptiste Lamarck], who argued that acquired characteristics like [[drug]] [[abuse]] and [[sexual]] [[perversions]], could be inherited. Genetic predispositions have been [[observed]] for [[Addiction|alcoholism]] and criminality. | + | In the 1850s French doctor [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/B%C3%A9n%C3%A9dict_Morel Bénédict Morel] [[argued]] more vigorously that certain [[groups]] of people were degenerating, going backwards in terms of [[evolution]] so each generation became weaker and weaker. This was based on pre-Darwinian [[ideas]] of [[evolution]], especially those of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jean-Baptiste_Lamarck Jean-Baptiste Lamarck], who argued that acquired characteristics like [[drug]] [[abuse]] and [[sexual]] [[perversions]], could be inherited. Genetic predispositions have been [[observed]] for [[Addiction|alcoholism]] and criminality. |
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− | [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Max_Nordau Max Nordau]'s 1890s bestseller ''Degeneration'' attempted to explain all [[modern]] [[art]], [[music]] and [[literature]] by pointing out the degenerate characteristics of the artists involved. In this [[fashion]] a whole [[biological]] explanation for [[social]] [[problems]] was [[developed]]. | + | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Max_Nordau Max Nordau]'s 1890s bestseller ''Degeneration'' attempted to explain all [[modern]] [[art]], [[music]] and [[literature]] by pointing out the degenerate characteristics of the artists involved. In this [[fashion]] a whole [[biological]] explanation for [[social]] [[problems]] was [[developed]]. |
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− | The first scientific criminologist [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cesare_Lombroso Cesare Lombroso] working in the 1880s believed he found [[evidence]] of degeneration by [[studying]] the corpses of criminals. After completing an autopsy on murderer Villela he found the indentation where the spine meets the neck to be a signal of degeneration and subsequent criminality. Lombroso was convinced he had found the key to degeneration that had concerned [[liberal]] circles. | + | The first scientific criminologist [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cesare_Lombroso Cesare Lombroso] working in the 1880s believed he found [[evidence]] of degeneration by [[studying]] the corpses of criminals. After completing an autopsy on murderer Villela he found the indentation where the spine meets the neck to be a signal of degeneration and subsequent criminality. Lombroso was convinced he had found the key to degeneration that had concerned [[liberal]] circles. |
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− | In the twentieth century, eradicating "degeneration" became a [[justification]] for various [[eugenic]] programs, mostly in Europe and the United States. Eugenicists adopted the [[concept]], using it to justify the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sterilization_(surgical_procedure) sterilization] of the supposedly unfit. The [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nazism Nazis] took up these eugenic efforts as well, including [[extermination]], for those who would corrupt [[future]] [[generations]]. They also used the [[concept]] in art, banning "degenerate" (entartete) [[art]] and [[music]]: see [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Degenerate_art degenerate art]. | + | In the twentieth century, eradicating "degeneration" became a [[justification]] for various [[eugenic]] programs, mostly in Europe and the United States. Eugenicists adopted the [[concept]], using it to justify the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sterilization_(surgical_procedure) sterilization] of the supposedly unfit. The [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nazism Nazis] took up these eugenic efforts as well, including [[extermination]], for those who would corrupt [[future]] [[generations]]. They also used the [[concept]] in art, banning "degenerate" (entartete) [[art]] and [[music]]: see [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Degenerate_art degenerate art]. |
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| For further information, see Daniel Pick's book ''Degeneration'', or the work of Sander Gilman. | | For further information, see Daniel Pick's book ''Degeneration'', or the work of Sander Gilman. |
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− | In Alexey Severtzov's [[typology]] of the [[evolution]] directions this term is used in an ethically neutral way; it denotes such an evolutionary [[transformation]] that is accompanied by a decrease in [complexity], as apposed to aromorphosis (accompanied by increase in [[complexity]], cp. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anagenesis anagenesis]), and idioadaptation (this term designates such an evolutionary transformation that is accompanied by neither a decrease nor increase in complexity, cp. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cladogenesis cladogenesis]) (see, e.g., Korotayev 2004). | + | In Alexey Severtzov's [[typology]] of the [[evolution]] directions this term is used in an ethically neutral way; it denotes such an evolutionary [[transformation]] that is accompanied by a decrease in [complexity], as apposed to aromorphosis (accompanied by increase in [[complexity]], cp. [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anagenesis anagenesis]), and idioadaptation (this term designates such an evolutionary transformation that is accompanied by neither a decrease nor increase in complexity, cp. [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cladogenesis cladogenesis]) (see, e.g., Korotayev 2004). |
| ==See also== | | ==See also== |
| *'''''[[Decadence]]''''' | | *'''''[[Decadence]]''''' |
− | * [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dysgenics Dysgenics] | + | * [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dysgenics Dysgenics] |
− | * [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Societal_collapse Societal collapse] | + | * [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Societal_collapse Societal collapse] |
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| ==References== | | ==References== |
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| * Degeneration, Nordau and Nietzsche | | * Degeneration, Nordau and Nietzsche |
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− | [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Degeneration Source] | + | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Degeneration Source] |
| [[Category: Sociology]] | | [[Category: Sociology]] |