East and West

René Guenon (1886-1951) was a leading French metaphysician in the fields of esotericism, symbolism, and the comparative study of religions. In this book, he describes the conditions that would make it possible for the West to return to a harmonious civilization and to an understanding with the East on In East and West, René Guénon delivers a powerful critique of modern Western civilization through the lens of traditional metaphysics and spiritual wisdom. Contrasting the materialist orientation of the modern West with the spiritual depth of the traditional East, Guénon argues that true knowledge—and the key to civilizational renewal—lies in the rediscovery of sacred principles that the West has largely forgotten. With penetrating insight, Guénon examines the philosophical, cultural, and spiritual divides between the two hemispheres, challenging superficial understandings and proposing a necessary reorientation toward timeless truths. Far from advocating cultural opposition, he calls for a higher synthesis rooted in the metaphysical unity that transcends all authentic traditions. East and West is both a diagnosis of modernity's spiritual crisis and a call to return to principles that lie at the heart of all sacred civilizations. It remains a foundational work for readers seeking to understand the deeper currents shaping the world today. 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.