Degeneration

n. decay, deterioration; deterioration of the body

This article deals with the social-philosophical meaning of degeneration. For other meanings associated with degeneration, please see degeneracy. 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.
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Degeneration /de·gen·er·a·tion/ deterioration; change from a higher to a lower form, especially change of tissue to a lower or less functionally [more]Degeneration - Community and Resources

Noun
1. the process of declining from a higher to a lower level of effective power or vitality or essential quality
(synonym) devolution
(hypernym) process
(hyponym) attack
(derivation) devolve, deteriorate, drop, degenerate
2. the state of being degenerate in mental or moral qualities
(synonym) degeneracy, decadence, decadency
(hypernym) abasement, degradation, abjection
(derivation) devolve, deteriorate, drop, degenerate
3. passing from a more complex to a simpler biological form
(synonym) retrogression
(hypernym) transformation, transmutation, shift
(hyponym) abiotrophy

n. degeneration (Biology, Physiology); deterioration, downfall, worsening, decline