Degeneration

Historical Context and Significance

«Degeneration» is a work written by Max Nordau, published in 1892, which became one of the most discussed and controversial works of its time. Nordau develops the theory of degeneration, according to which the cultural and social decline of Europe at the end of the 19th century is the result of degenerative changes among individuals. This book actively criticizes many aspects of contemporary art and culture, blaming artists, writers, and thinkers of the time, whom Nordau considers «degenerates», for society's decline. The influence of this work is felt not only in the cultural discussions of the time but also in the formation of scientific and public discourse on pathology and normality, as well as in the development of social and racial theory at the turn of the 20th century. The book «Degeneration» made a significant contribution to the reception and understanding of modernism, influencing subsequent generations of researchers, cultural theorists, and sociologists.