Degeneration 1014250 220996239 2008-06-22T15:59:57Z Lightbot 7178666 Units/dates/other :''This article deals with the social-philosophical meaning of degeneration. For other meanings associated with degeneration, please see [[degeneracy]]. '' :''For the [[Mylène Farmer]] single, please see [[Dégénération]]. '' The idea of '''degeneration''' had significant influence on [[science]], [[art]] and [[politics]] from the 1850s to the 1950s. The [[social theory]] developed consequently from [[Charles Darwin]]'s [[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. 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 [[western civilization]] as it believed the progress of the 19th century had begun to work against itself. In 1890 those most concerned by degeneration were progressives unlike the conservatives defenders of the status quo.{{ref_label | Herman1997 | 1 | a}} [[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 polices degenerates out of existence with the assistance of scientific identification. In the 1850s [[France|French]] doctor [[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-[[Darwinism|Darwinian]] ideas of evolution, especially those of [[Jean-Baptiste Lamarck]], who argued that acquired characteristics like drug abuse and [[sexual perversion]]s, could be inherited. [[Genetic predisposition]]s have been observed for [[alcoholism]] and [[criminality]]. [[Max Nordau]]'s 1890s bestseller ''[[Degeneration (Max Nordau)|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. The first scientific [[criminologist]] [[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. {{ref_label | Herman1997 | 2 | a}} 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 [[sterilization (surgical procedure)|sterilization]] of the supposedly unfit. The [[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 [[degenerate art]]. For further information, see [[Daniel Pick]]'s book ''Degeneration'', or the work of [[Sander Gilman]]. ==References== # <Cite id="endnote_Smith1989_a" style="font-style: normal;">[[#ref Smith1989 a|'''^''']]</cite>&nbsp; <cite style="font-style:normal">A. Herman (1997). "The Idea of Decline in Western History". 110–113.</cite> #<Cite id="endnote_Smith1989_a" style="font-style: normal;">[[#ref Smith1989 a|'''^''']]</cite>&nbsp; <cite style="font-style:normal">A. Herman op. cit. 110–113.</cite> == Bibliography == * {{cite book |title=World Religions and Social Evolution of the Old World Oikumene Civilizations: A Cross-cultural Perspective |edition=First Edition |last=Korotayev |first=Andrey | authorlink=Andrey Korotayev |publisher=Edwin Mellen Press |location=Lewiston, New York |year=2004 |id=ISBN 0-7734-6310-0}} ==External links== * [http://www.mith.demon.co.uk/NORD.html Degeneration, Nordau and Nietzsche] [[Category:Bioethics]] [[de:Degeneration]] [[eo:Degenero]] [[fr:Théorie de la dégénérescence]] [[nl:Degeneratie]] [[ja:退化]] [[pl:Zwyrodnienie]] [[pt:Degeneração]] [[zh:退化]]