Degeneration
This article deals with the social-philosophical meaning of degeneration. For other meanings associated with degeneration, please see degeneracy. The idea of
degeneration had a huge influence on
science,
art and
politics from the
1850s to the
1950s. The social theory developed consequently from
Charles Darwins
Theory of Evolution. Evolution meant that human being 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 civilisation as a progressive positive direction. As a consequence theorist 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 pessamistic outlook for the future of
western civilisation 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.
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 a 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 the solution of a strong state to police degenerates out of existence with the assistance of scientific identification.
In the 1850s
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-
Darwinian ideas of evolution, especially those of
Jean-Baptiste Lamarck, who argued that acquired characteristics (drug habits,
perversions, etc.) could be inherited. This is not true, as a matter of
genetics.
A whole biological explanation for social problems was developed.
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.
The first scientific
criminologist Cesare Lombroso working in the 1880's believed he found evidence of degeneration by studying the corpses of criminals. After completeing a
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.
In the twentieth century, erradicating "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 of the supposedly unfit. The
Nazis took up these eugenic effots as well as the extermination of those who would otherwise 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.
#
^ A. Herman (1997). "The Idea of Decline in Western History". 110â€"113.#
^ A. Herman op. cit. 110â€"113.*
Degeneration, Nordau and Nietzsche
