Philosophy Now Forum

Is there such a thing as cultural "decadence"? And does decadence take the form of "weakness" or "softness" as some appear to believe? Are attitudes such as kindness, compassion and empathy signs of decadence? Or are they good traits that ought to be nurtured and fostered?

To answer this, I suppose it comes down to what sort of world we live in. Are we living in a dog eat dog world where compassion and empathy (especially toward enemies) is a sign of weakness? Or do we live in a world where compassion and empathy (even for enemies) shows strength of character? Do we live in a world of cooperation or do we live in a world of competition?

Is the purpose of cooperation a tribal phenomenon only useful to help achieve victory over outside competitors? Or is cooperation a universalizable virtue that ought to be encouraged across the globe?

Thoughts?

Yes cultural decadence happens when the breakes are placed on social change and social progress.
When conservatives want to turn abck the clock to the "good old days", the result is stagnation and ossification of ideas.
When people think they can "make american great again", what they are doing is acting out of fear of the future.
THAT is rot; That is decadence.

Is there such a thing as cultural "decadence"? And does decadence take the form of "weakness" or "softness" as some appear to believe?

Yes, one can see that in the decline of organizations. Could be a company, a nation, an empire.

Are attitudes such as kindness, compassion and empathy signs of decadence?

That has nothing to do with it.

Decadence is caused by apathy, lack of interest, lack of commitment, lack of focus.

Or are they good traits that ought to be nurtured and fostered?

All things in proper measure. Too much of anything is destructive.

phyllo wrote: ↑Mon Apr 22, 2024 9:25 pm Too much of anything is destructive.

Especially destructive behavior. Too much of that can be very destructive.

Gary Childress wrote: ↑Mon Apr 22, 2024 9:39 pm

phyllo wrote: ↑Mon Apr 22, 2024 9:25 pm Too much of anything is destructive.

Especially destructive behavior. Too much of that can be very destructive.

Too much constructive behavior is destructive.

Sculptor wrote: ↑Mon Apr 22, 2024 9:08 pm Yes cultural decadence happens when the breakes are placed on social change and social progress.
When conservatives want to turn abck the clock to the "good old days", the result is stagnation and ossification of ideas.
When people think they can "make american great again", what they are doing is acting out of fear of the future.
THAT is rot; That is decadence.

I think you have a valid point. It's maybe a bit like "Make the dark ages great again". The idea that the Second World War produced a "great" military empire is probably a nostalgic rearward retreat. One hopes the world will learn from such mistakes as militarism and not make them again.

phyllo wrote: ↑Mon Apr 22, 2024 9:40 pm

Gary Childress wrote: ↑Mon Apr 22, 2024 9:39 pm

phyllo wrote: ↑Mon Apr 22, 2024 9:25 pm Too much of anything is destructive.

Especially destructive behavior. Too much of that can be very destructive.

Too much constructive behavior is destructive.

Too much good is a bad thing.

Gary Childress wrote: ↑Mon Apr 22, 2024 9:45 pm

Sculptor wrote: ↑Mon Apr 22, 2024 9:08 pm Yes cultural decadence happens when the breakes are placed on social change and social progress.
When conservatives want to turn abck the clock to the "good old days", the result is stagnation and ossification of ideas.
When people think they can "make american great again", what they are doing is acting out of fear of the future.
THAT is rot; That is decadence.

I think you have a valid point. It's maybe a bit like "Make the dark ages great again". The idea that the Second World War produced a "great" military empire is probably a nostalgic rearward retreat. One hopes the world will learn from such mistakes as militarism and not make them again.

It's almost a cliche that in every age the old people pretend to themselves two incompatible things.
First that the young have is much easier than "we did", and secondly that it was much better in the "good ood days".
Perception is flawed clearly.

Sculptor wrote: ↑Mon Apr 22, 2024 9:08 pm Yes cultural decadence happens when the breakes are placed on social change and social progress.
When conservatives want to turn abck the clock to the "good old days", the result is stagnation and ossification of ideas.
When people think they can "make american great again", what they are doing is acting out of fear of the future.
THAT is rot; That is decadence.

Ahhh. Nostalgia.

Folks coming of age used to be entertained by the likes of this monlogue, transcribed here for your pleasure, understanding, and edification.

Those were the good old days, the golden years of entertainment.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tmLh2LMT2Gc


“This is Gart Williams, age 38, a man protected by a suit of armour all held together by one bolt. Just a moment ago someone removed the bolt, and Mr. Williams’ protection fell away from him and left him a naked target. He’s been cannonated this afternoon by all the enemies of his life. His insecurity has shelled him, his sensitivity has straddled him with humiliation, his deep-rooted disquiet about his own worth has zeroed-in on him, landed on target, and blown him apart. Mr. Gart Williams, ad agency exect., who in just a moment, will move into the Twilight Zone, in a desperate search, for survival.”