Depravity

Degeneration
Human degradation
Depravation
Total depravity

Nature

Total depravity is not only that every part of a human being is affected by sin, but that every part of every human is entirely corrupt.

Background

Depravity has been recognized as a significant social concern since ancient times, with early legal codes and religious texts documenting anxieties over moral decline. Its global relevance intensified during periods of rapid social change, such as the Enlightenment and the Industrial Revolution, when philosophers and reformers debated its causes and consequences. In the modern era, international organizations and scholars have increasingly examined depravity’s impact on societal stability, prompting cross-cultural studies and policy responses.

Incidence

Incidents of depravity, characterized by extreme moral corruption and wickedness, have been reported across diverse societies and cultures, often manifesting in forms such as organized crime, systemic abuse, and acts of violence. The global scale of such occurrences is reflected in persistent reports from both developed and developing nations, indicating that no region is immune to the destructive impact of depraved actions on individuals and communities.
In 2022, the discovery of mass graves linked to organized crime in Tamaulipas, Mexico, highlighted a particularly egregious instance of depravity. Authorities uncovered evidence of torture and systematic killings, underscoring the ongoing challenge of confronting such acts.

Claim

Humans are wholly defiled in all the faculties and parts of soul and body. They are utterly indisposed, disabled and made opposite to all good, and are wholly inclined to all evil.

Counter-claim

Frankly, the notion that depravity is a pressing problem is vastly overstated. In today’s world, most people act with basic decency, and the rare instances of true depravity are sensationalized by media. Focusing on this supposed issue distracts from real, tangible problems like poverty or climate change. Obsessing over depravity is a waste of energy and attention—let’s prioritize issues that genuinely impact society, not exaggerated moral panics.