The Gray Area with Sean Illing Ross Douthat and I debate American decadence
Jun 15, 2020
In this discussion, Ross Douthat, a New York Times columnist and author of "The Decadent Society," explores the theme of American decadence, emphasizing how societal stagnation and ideological exhaustion plague modern culture. He argues that our successes may be contributing to this malaise and debates why conservative Catholics focus more on sexuality than economic issues. The conversation touches on the potential role of psychedelics, the moral foundations of liberalism, and the contradictions of political narratives, particularly in light of contemporary challenges.
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Decadence in Pandemic Response
- Ross Douthat suggests America's response to the coronavirus pandemic reveals decadence.
- He contrasts it with China's ruthless but effective approach.
Defining Decadence
- Decadence is stagnation, repetition, and decay at a high level of achievement.
- It requires prior success, affluence, and technological proficiency.
Dangers of Decadence
- Decadent societies may avoid worst-case calamities but lose dynamism and moral heroism.
- They risk sliding into dystopia, ill-equipped for unexpected threats like pandemics.
