In this case, it seems quite clear that this man is not a "useless degenerate" in the absence of alcohol — in fact he is doing productive, intelligent work. I

In this case, it seems quite clear that this man is not a "useless degenerate" in the absence of alcohol — in fact he is doing productive, intelligent work. I believe it is quite apparent that alcohol/ism was the key factor in his terrible decisions. Without alcohol, he isn't behaving like a useless degenerate. Therefore, we can quite comfortably say that alcohol is an explanation, if not an excuse, for his behaviour.