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Degeneracy

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The word degeneracy has more than one meaning:

  • In general, "degeneracy" means "reverting to an earlier, simpler, state"
  • The term "moral degeneracy" is sometimes used by speakers commenting on the morality (or lack thereof) of a society: this usage has its roots in the concept of atavism.
  • The term "Degenerate" also is used to describe a sexual deviate.
  • Modernist art is sometimes described as "degenerate art".
  • In biology, see devolution.
  • In neuroscience, "degenerated" neurons means diseased or dying neuron.
  • In mathematics, a limiting case in which a class of object changes its nature so as to belong to another, usually simpler, class. See mathematical degeneracy.
  • In physics, these meanings apply:
    • The mathematical meaning.
    • Degenerate matter is a very highly compressed phase of matter where all or some of the electron orbits have collapsed from pressure.
    • Degenerate energy levels are different arrangements of the system which have the same energy.
  • Degenerate (humans), inferior human
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