Final answer:
The term describing a situation without meaningful or useful norms is 'anomie.' It denotes a societal state where norms are not enforced, often occurring during social transitions or upheavals, leading to weakened collective consciousness and individual feelings of disconnection and normlessness.
Step-by-step explanation:
This situation, being without meaningful or useful norms, is called anomie. The term was popularized by sociologist Emile Durkheim, describing a state where social ties are weak and social control is diminished, leading to a lack of enforcement of norms, particularly impacting some social groups. Anomie occurs in times of social upheaval such as during economic crises or wars, and reflects a society's transition from mechanical to organic solidarity, wherein the collective consciousness and collective norms are weakened. Moreover, individuals may experience a sense of anonymity and less accountability, contributing to a diminished sense of self and community.
When faced with events such as natural disasters, like Hurricane Katrina, where established norms are no longer applicable, people engage in emergent-norm theory. This theory suggests that individuals in crowds develop new norms that fit the changed circumstances, rather than behaving irrationally. Still, during the initial period of this transition, a society may experience a profound sense of normlessness or anomie.
The concept of anomie also aligns with philosophical perspectives that recognize the absence of absolute ethical mandates or universal meanings, as indicated by Nietzsche's existential philosophy. Similarly, Thomas Hobbes' description of a 'state of nature' reflects a human condition devoid of societal laws and norms. Anomie, then, represents a deep social and moral void where previously established codes of behavior are no longer valid or enforced.