What is the meaning of Total Depravity? The essential meaning of the doctrine of “Total Depravity” is that sin has so impacted the fabric of human existence that there is no aspect of human life where sin has not had its deadening effect. This does not mean that people are as sinful as they could be, but it means that there is no “sin free” area of life. In addition, total depravity means that there is no inherent righteousness in the human make-up, and further there is no inherent goodness and power to perform righteously in the human capacity. All of this was lost in the fall into sin.