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Title: The Crisis of the Modern World by Rene Guenon, Arthur Osborne, Marco Pallis, Richard C. Nicholson ISBN: 0-900588-24-1 Publisher: Sophia Perennis Et Universalis Pub. Date: August, 2001 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $18.95 |
Average Customer Rating: 4.71 (7 reviews)
Rating: 4
Summary: Challenging, rigorous and virulent
Comment: Guenon's perspective is extremely vast, since it claims to take the point of view of the primordial tradition, source of all metaphysics; the resulting panorama is thus suprahistoric in that it goes beyond mere profane history (according to Guenon). By subordinating individual traditions and religions to a primary source, this perennialism explains the author's lack of sympathy not only for the many 'schools of thought' in modern science and philosophy, but also for the popular forms of esotericism of the 20th century. Philosophy is seen as a predominantly profane discipline because it was born during the dark ages, even though some eras or schools still admitted the superiority of pure intuition over reason. Guenon's panorama is original in the way it links human history to the metaphysical scheme of the One and the many: from absolute unity, which is represented by primordial tradition, the world went further and further in its process of materialization; as such, it explains many of modernity's traits (humanism, pragmaticism, industrialized science, etc.). For Guenon, pure contemplation is the foundation of man's spiritual quest; as a result, action, ethics and exoteric teachings are perceived as markedly inferior. This is quite problematic, and somewhat different from most mystical currents, in which these exoteric aspects have value as the initial and necessary steps towards a contemplation that is envisioned as a term, not as a beginning. For Guenon, adherence to a tradition is both necessary and sufficient in itself; thus, he doesn't mention unfortunate applications of spiritual authority. Despite such difficulties, this rigorous and virulent critique of modernity has not lost any of its actuality and is a stimulating read.
Rating: 5
Summary: A World Weighed and Found Wanting
Comment: This book is perhaps the best introduction to the thought of a difficult, little known, but immensely important thinker. I say "thinker", but that word does not adequately describe Rene Guenon (1886-1951), a man difficult to characterize because he does not fit into any of the categories of thought current in our culture.
Perhaps the best word to describe him is "sage" with all the overtones of antiquity, orientality, and wholeness that that word evokes. He is certainly not a "philosopher" in the usual understanding of that word, nor is he a "theologian", although all his thought is centered on the Source of all reality.
A student of Guenon, Jean Borella, has written an extremely helpful essay called "Rene Guenon and the Traditionalist School" which can be found in the book "Modern Esoteric Spirituality". Borella finds five fundamental themes in Guenon's writings, among which is the theme of "intellectual reform and criticism of the modern world". This is the theme that informs "The Crisis of the Modern World".
Guenon begins with a PREFACE in which he meditates on the word "crisis". This word can be understood to mean a "critical phase" i.e. a turning point for either better or worse, but it can also be understood, in keeping with its original meaning, to suggest a time in which the thing in crisis is ripe for judgment and discernment. Accordingly, the remainder of Guenon's book is his judgment of modernity and its fate in the light of traditional doctrine.
In the next chapter, THE DARK AGE, Guenon sketches the traditional doctrine of the human cycle or "Manvantara". (A more complete explanation of this can be found in "The Myth of the Eternal Return" cf. my review) According to this teaching we are now far into the fourth age of the world, called the "Kali Yuga" ("time of troubles"), which is characterized by a remoteness from the principle and source of human flourishing and therefore darkness, materialism, and chaos. This doctrine is the very opposite of the modern notion of progress.
In THE OPPOSITION BETWEEN EAST AND WEST, Guenon traces the cause of this opposition to the West's abandonment of the traditional and normal mentality which has been retained for the most part by the East. (Guenon was writing in 1927.) By "East" he means the Chinese, Indian, and Islamic Civilizations, and by "West" he means Europe and America. He sees the solution to this opposition in a return to tradition by a western intellectual elite. It should be noted that Guenon gives the words "tradition" and "intellectual" a very exact and easily misunderstood meaning.
In KNOWLEDGE AND ACTION Guenon examines the subordination of contemplation to action as the key difference separating the modern from the traditional world, and therefore West from East. From this inversion results the mental scattering and agitated monotony characteristic of modern times. Here we see Guenon's understanding of "intellectual" and its coordination with "tradition". The intellect is the supra-rational faculty which beholds tradition i.e. that which is given or "handed over." (from the Latin "tradere" to give over.)
Continuing the discussion of knowledge, Guenon distinguishes SACRED SCIENCE AND PROFANE SCIENCE in the next chapter. The sacred or traditional sciences proceed from and lead back to principles which are grasped in intellectual intuition. Profane or modern sciences view the same objects as the sacred sciences, but from the "profane point of view" which is to say in ignorance or blindness of the principles from which these objects flow. Guenon discusses ancient and modern physics, astrology and astronomy, and alchemy and chemistry.
The "root error and cause" of modern science is INDIVIDUALISM according to Guenon. Here again we must be careful to understand the word as Guenon uses it. The individual in question is distinguishing himself not from the rest of human society, but from the supernatural world or the authority of the realm of principles. Individualism then, which is at the heart of modernity, is nothing more than a negation. Guenon explains how modern errors follow from individualism in philosophy and religion and looks at such manifestations of individualism as "originality".
In chapter 7, THE SOCIAL CHAOS, Guenon examines democracy and its modern psuedo-priniciple, social equality. He finds democracy's appeal to the law of the greatest number to be nothing more than an appeal to the law of the brute force of matter, because matter is by nature a multiplicity as distinguished from spirit which is by nature a unity.
In A MATERIAL CIVILIZATION, Guenon summarizes his judgment on the modern civilization of the West. It is characterized by materialism which Guenon defines as living life as if nothing existed but the material world. It is therefore a disease that infects the West almost completely, even including those who acknowledge the world of the spirit but live as do those who do not.
In chapter 8, WESTERN ENCROCHMENT, Guenon discusses the spread of the modern mentality into the East and takes issue with the opinions of Henri Massis expressed in his book "Defense of the West". (Massis was a disciple of Charles Marras founder of "Action Francaise", a French Monarchist organization.) Guenon finds Massis to completely misunderstand Eastern doctrines, and sees him as a fine example of "low-grade" traditionalism.
In SOME CONCLUSIONS, Guenon discusses the prospects for the reestablishment of a Western traditional elite whose purpose would be to somewhat curtail the disastrous effects of materialism, and transmit the traditional doctrine into the new world that will follow the present dissolution.
This is only the briefest summary of a book rich in depth and insight in spite of its small size. Anyone who carefully reads and meditates on its contents cannot help but feel the singular power and purity of the author's intelligence, even though one may question some of the doctrines it contains. Many would find its contents incomprehensible or even scandalous but "he who has ears to hear, let him hear."
Rating: 5
Summary: a teacher for modern times
Comment: Man, under the pretext of conquering the earth, has lost touch with metaphysical reality [ Julius Evola ].
This book should be part of the national curriculum.
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Title: The Reign of Quantity & the Signs of the Times by Rene Guenon, Lord Northbourne ISBN: 0900588675 Publisher: Sophia Perennis Et Universalis Pub. Date: April, 2002 List Price(USD): $21.95 |
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Title: The Symbolism of the Cross by Rene Guenon, Angus Macnab ISBN: 0900588659 Publisher: Sophia Perennis Et Universalis Pub. Date: September, 2001 List Price(USD): $19.95 |
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Title: Man and His Becoming According to the Vedanta (Guenon, Rene. Works.) by Rene Guenon, Richard C. Nicholson ISBN: 0900588616 Publisher: Sophia Perennis Et Universalis Pub. Date: September, 2001 List Price(USD): $19.95 |
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Title: Revolt Against the Modern World by Julius Evola ISBN: 089281506X Publisher: Inner Traditions Intl Ltd Pub. Date: February, 1996 List Price(USD): $29.95 |
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Title: Ride the Tiger: A Survival Manual for the Aristocrats of the Soul by Julius Evola, Joscelyn Godwin, Constance Fontana ISBN: 0892811250 Publisher: Inner Traditions Intl Ltd Pub. Date: 15 September, 2003 List Price(USD): $25.00 |
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