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Degeneration

By Max Simon Nordau
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History - Modern (1750+)Psychiatry/PsychologySociology

About This Book

The work presents a polemical survey of late-century cultural trends, arguing that recent artistic and literary fashions—mysticism, symbolism, egoism, aestheticism, decadence, and naturalistic realism—reflect underlying mental degeneration among their creators. Using contemporary psychiatric and anthropological ideas, the author identifies characteristic symptoms, explores alleged causes, and analyzes representative movements and figures as manifestations of pathological temperament. The closing chapters offer a prognosis for society and propose moral, cultural, and therapeutic remedies intended to counteract what he sees as corrosive influences on public taste and youth.

About the Author

Nordau, Max Simon portrait

Max Simon Nordau

Max Simon Nordau was a Hungarian-born physician, author, and prominent cultural critic active in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He is best known for his influential work "Degeneration," where he explored the social and psychological implications of modernity and the perceived decline of civilization. Nordau's writings often addressed themes of morality, art, and the evolution of humanity, reflecting his deep engagement with the cultural issues of his time. He also contributed to discussions on Zionism and anti-Semitism, making significant impacts in both literary and political spheres. His diverse body of work includes essays, fairy tales, and analyses of human behavior.

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