The Crisis of the Modern World

In this landmark work, René Guénon offers a penetrating diagnosis of the spiritual and intellectual disintegration at the heart of modern Western civilization. The Crisis of the Modern World traces the roots of contemporary chaos to a fundamental rupture with traditional metaphysical principles, replaced by materialism, relativism, and the cult of progress. Guénon contrasts the modern worldview with the timeless wisdom of traditional societies, in which knowledge was rooted in the sacred and life was oriented toward transcendent truth. With clear-eyed precision, he exposes the illusions of modernity while pointing to the perennial principles that can guide a genuine restoration of order—both within the individual and the world. Provocative and prophetic, this book remains as relevant today as when it was first published. The Crisis of the Modern World is essential reading for anyone seeking to understand the deeper causes of today’s global turmoil and the path beyond it. René Guénon (1886–1951) was a pioneering French metaphysician, philosopher, and esotericist whose writings bridged Eastern and Western spiritual traditions. A leading voice in the Traditionalist School, Guénon sought to restore timeless metaphysical principles amid the disorientation of the modern world. His works explore symbolism, initiation, sacred knowledge, and the unity underlying all authentic spiritual paths. After relocating to Egypt in 1930, he embraced Sufism and lived the remainder of his life in Cairo, deepening his engagement with Islamic mysticism. Today, Guénon remains a key influence on scholars, seekers, and spiritual thinkers worldwide.