Decadence Henry Sidgwick memorial lecture, 1908

"Decadence" by Arthur James Balfour is a reflective lecture that examines the idea of decadence as it relates to the downfall of nations instead of art or writing. The lecture considers the path of historic civilizations and whether societies are destined to weaken and fall apart over time. Balfour uses the Roman Empire as a main example, studying reasons for its weakening and highlighting subtle differences between decadence and common disasters like war or famine that can also cause disorder. The author encourages the audience to think carefully about the many connected parts of history, culture, and society that lead to the progress and potential fall of civilizations, creating a sense of worry about where societies are headed.