Includes bibliographical references (pages 371-376) and index
Introductory. Traditionalism and the traditionalists -- Historical perennialism -- Part I: Foundations. Traditionalist perennialism -- Traditionalist history -- The Traditionalist critique of modernity -- Traditionalism, thought, and society -- Part II: Core projects. Self-realization -- Religion -- Politics -- Part III: Further projects. Art -- Gender -- Nature -- Dialogue -- Part IV: Post-Traditionalism. The radical right -- Part V: Concluding. Conclusion
"Traditionalism is a shadowy philosophy that has influenced much of the twentieth century and beyond: from the far-right to the environmental movement, from Sufi shaykhs and their followers to Trump advisor and right-wing provocateur Steve Bannon. It is a worldview that rejects modernity and instead turns to mystical truth and tradition as its guide. Mark Sedgwick, one of the world's leading scholars of Traditionalism, presents a major new analysis, pulling back the curtain on the foundations of Traditionalist philosophy, its major proponents-René Guénon, Julius Evola, and Frithjof Schuon-and their thought. One of Traditionalism's fundamental pillars is perennialism, the idea that beneath all the different forms of religion there lies one single timeless and esoteric tradition. A second is the view that everything is getting worse, rather than better, over time, leading to the Traditionalist critique of modernity. Sedgwick details Traditionalism's unique ideas about self-realization, religion, politics, and many other spheres. Traditionalism provides an expansive guide to this important school of thought-one that is little-known and even less understood-and shows how pervasive these ideas have become"-- Provided by publisher
