How can one respond to those who describe the degeneracy of the wine poets as liberation and a departure from societal constraints, while presenting rational arguments to refute such claims?

Thank you for contacting us. Praising, approving, and being pleased with the state of those who indulge in forbidden acts, and deeming their ways good, contradicts the fundamentals of religion, and the entire Quran refutes this idea. However, those who recite the poetry of such individuals, being charmed by its eloquent forms, are not to be judged as being in opposition to Allah and His Messenger simply for that, especially if one affirms Allah's ruling regarding alcohol and is not mentioned to deem it permissible or to consume it. To describe him as opposing Allah is a grave matter. And Allah knows best.