Degeneration

Methodology and Conclusions

«Degeneration» by Max Nordau is a sociological study published in 1892, in which he uses psychopathological analysis to critique the cultural trends of the fin de siècle. Nordau refers to concepts of degeneration and entropy to describe what he sees as the decline of morality, art, and social order in Europe at the end of the 19th century. He argues that deviations from the norm in art and literature, such as symbolism, decadence, and naturalism, are manifestations of mental and moral decline among the European elites. Diagnosing contemporary culture as «sick», Nordau advocates a return to classical values of rationalism, logic, and harmony as a means to restore social health and stability. His work expressed a general sense of crisis and pessimism that gripped the intellectual circles of Europe at the end of the 19th century, sparking considerable debate about the state of modern culture and its future.