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Light on the Ancient Worlds: A New Translation with Selected Letters
These essays examines the spiritual patrimony of humanity.
168 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1968
About the author
Frithjof Schuon
184 books225 followersFrithjof Schuon was a native of Switzerland born to German parents in Basel, Switzerland. He is known as a philosopher, metaphysician and author of numerous books on religion and spirituality.
Schuon is recognized as an authority on philosophy, spirituality and religion, an exponent of the Religio Perennis, and one of the chief representatives of the Perennialist School. Though he was not officially affiliated with the academic world, his writings have been noticed in scholarly and philosophical journals, and by scholars of comparative religion and spirituality. Criticism of the relativism of the modern academic world is one of the main aspects of Schuon's teachings. In his teachings, Schuon expresses his faith in an absolute principle, God, who governs the universe and to whom our souls would return after death. For Schuon the great revelations are the link between this absolute principle—God—and mankind. He wrote the main bulk of his metaphysical teachings in French. In the later years of his life Schuon composed some volumes of poetry in his mother tongue, German. His articles in French were collected in about twenty titles in French which were later translated into English as well as many other languages.
http://www.sophia-perennis.com/philos...
Schuon is recognized as an authority on philosophy, spirituality and religion, an exponent of the Religio Perennis, and one of the chief representatives of the Perennialist School. Though he was not officially affiliated with the academic world, his writings have been noticed in scholarly and philosophical journals, and by scholars of comparative religion and spirituality. Criticism of the relativism of the modern academic world is one of the main aspects of Schuon's teachings. In his teachings, Schuon expresses his faith in an absolute principle, God, who governs the universe and to whom our souls would return after death. For Schuon the great revelations are the link between this absolute principle—God—and mankind. He wrote the main bulk of his metaphysical teachings in French. In the later years of his life Schuon composed some volumes of poetry in his mother tongue, German. His articles in French were collected in about twenty titles in French which were later translated into English as well as many other languages.
http://www.sophia-perennis.com/philos...
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
September 4, 2018
[Read in French, review in English]
"Those who reproach our ancestors with having been stupidly credulous forget in the first place that one can also be stupidly incredulous"
Among the various books of Frithjof Schuon I have read so far, honestly "Light on the ancient worlds" is the one that stands out the most and seems to me the best.
A good sequel, even if it is surely not wanted, to the chapter "The relations of the ancient peoples" by Guénon (in his General Introduction).
Interesting to note that this is the only book by Schuon that Titus Burckhardt translated to German.
Clear and sharp articles on history and it's interpretations on the grounds of a traditional world view. Schuon's books, being mostly composed of articles that get grouped later on, are of unequal importance (as he states himself in EPW,FR:p9), some are redundant, while others constitute his best efforts. Light on the Ancient Worlds contains many of the latter category.
The following four articles are highly razor-sharp :
- "Regards sur les mondes anciens"(1964) [Light on the Ancient Worlds]
- "Chute et Déchéance"(1961) [Fall and Forfeiture]
- "Dialogues entre Hellénistes et Chrétiens"(1962) [The Dialogue between Hellenists and Christians]
- "Propos sur la naïveté"(1964) [Naiveté]
"There is a curious relationship—it may be mentioned in passing—between the imperial function and the part played by the court jester, and this relationship seems to be associated with the fact that the costume of jesters, like that of certain emperors, was adorned with little bells, following the example of the sacred robe of the High Priest; the role of the jester was originally that of saying in public what no one else could allow himself to say, thus introducing an element of truth into a world constrained by unavoidable conventions; now this function, whether one wishes it or not, is reminiscent of sapience or esoterism, for in its own way it shatters “forms” in the name of “the spirit that bloweth where it listeth”. But folly alone can allow itself to enunciate cruel truths and to challenge idols precisely because it stands apart from a particular human system and this proves that in that world of facades which is society the pure and simple truth is madness. This is doubtless why the function of the court jester succumbed in the end to the world of formalism and hypocrisy: the intelligent fool ended by giving way to the buffoon, who very soon became tedious and disappeared. "
"Those who reproach our ancestors with having been stupidly credulous forget in the first place that one can also be stupidly incredulous"
Among the various books of Frithjof Schuon I have read so far, honestly "Light on the ancient worlds" is the one that stands out the most and seems to me the best.
A good sequel, even if it is surely not wanted, to the chapter "The relations of the ancient peoples" by Guénon (in his General Introduction).
Interesting to note that this is the only book by Schuon that Titus Burckhardt translated to German.
Clear and sharp articles on history and it's interpretations on the grounds of a traditional world view. Schuon's books, being mostly composed of articles that get grouped later on, are of unequal importance (as he states himself in EPW,FR:p9), some are redundant, while others constitute his best efforts. Light on the Ancient Worlds contains many of the latter category.
The following four articles are highly razor-sharp :
- "Regards sur les mondes anciens"(1964) [Light on the Ancient Worlds]
- "Chute et Déchéance"(1961) [Fall and Forfeiture]
- "Dialogues entre Hellénistes et Chrétiens"(1962) [The Dialogue between Hellenists and Christians]
- "Propos sur la naïveté"(1964) [Naiveté]
"There is a curious relationship—it may be mentioned in passing—between the imperial function and the part played by the court jester, and this relationship seems to be associated with the fact that the costume of jesters, like that of certain emperors, was adorned with little bells, following the example of the sacred robe of the High Priest; the role of the jester was originally that of saying in public what no one else could allow himself to say, thus introducing an element of truth into a world constrained by unavoidable conventions; now this function, whether one wishes it or not, is reminiscent of sapience or esoterism, for in its own way it shatters “forms” in the name of “the spirit that bloweth where it listeth”. But folly alone can allow itself to enunciate cruel truths and to challenge idols precisely because it stands apart from a particular human system and this proves that in that world of facades which is society the pure and simple truth is madness. This is doubtless why the function of the court jester succumbed in the end to the world of formalism and hypocrisy: the intelligent fool ended by giving way to the buffoon, who very soon became tedious and disappeared. "
June 16, 2019
En nuestros días se tiene más que nunca la tendencia a reducir la felicidad a la seguridad económica —por lo demás insaciable vista la creación indefinida de necesidad artificiales y la baja mística de la envidia—, pero lo que se pierde totalmente de vista al proyectar esta perspectiva en el pasado, es que el oficio tradicional y el contacto con la naturaleza y las cosas naturales son los factores esenciales de la felicidad humana. Semejantes factores desaparecen en la industria, que exige con demasiada frecuencia, si no siempre, un ambiente inhumano y manipulaciones casi «abstractas», gestos sin inteligibilidad y sin alma[...]. Cada vez más se pretende reducir nuestra inteligencia a lo que la máquina exige y nuestra capacidad de felicidad a lo que ofrece; no pudiendo humanizar la máquina se está obligado, al menos según una cierta lógica, a maquinizar al hombre.
Impresionante colección de ensayos en clave tradicionalista, de la mano de Frithjof Schuon. Digno continuador de Guenón, ofrece un análisis mucho más abarcativo, ya que incorpora otras tradiciones (por ejemplo, la de los pieles rojas) al juego. Muy interesante su desarrollo de los conceptos de Centro y Origen, así como de la supuesta «ingenuidad» de las civilizaciones tradicionales. En algunos momentos me resultó bastante difícil seguirle el ritmo, es verdad, aunque debo reconocer que tal vez fue falta mía, por mi ignorancia sobre ciertos temas. No obstante lo cual me parece una obra esencial para todo interesado en la espiritualidad y la tradición religiosa.
December 25, 2022
En blandning av plattityder, lösryckta (men välfunna) citat av viktigare tänkare och god traditionell perennialism med fokus på axeln Pythagoras - Aristoteles - Sufism. Eftersom jag blev rekommenderad boken som ett diktverk, är jag besviken. Som tänkare känns han som en sämre version av José Ortega y Gasset.
April 22, 2020
El gran problema de Frithjof Schuon es su labor ensayística. Se nota que él fue un gran erudito pero los intentos por sistematizar su trabajo, por hacer antologías de sus escritos, han terminado en el fracaso. ¿qué hilo conductor une a este libro? Realmente es difícil encontrar alguno. Las editoriales que han editado los opúsculos de Schuon por lo general han usado como título un ensayo significativo y con base en él nos venden un producto.
El título de esta antología "Sobre los mundos antiguos" nos haría pensar que el libro tiene por objeto rescatar las nociones de las viejas civilizaciones tradicionales... esto es así, sin embargo ¿Qué ensayo o trabajo de Schuon no tiene esta intención? Uno se pierde en los varios ensayos, donde se pasa de una crítica a la ciencia moderna, mientras atravesamos la visión hindú del mundo, y terminamos con los pieles rojas. Cada texto es en sí una unidad y parece guardar poca relación con los que le suceden. Eso aniquila el interés por seguir leyendo este libro (de hecho cuando retome el libro dos semanas después, había olvidado lo leído). La lectura se vuelve árida.
El genio de Schuon es de celebrarse, pero se perdió en un maremágnum de escritos. (Igual problema han sufrido pensadores como Ortega y Gasset y Ramiro de Maeztu) . Para colmo la labor editorial ha jugado en su contra. Triste destino para tan magnífico autor.
El título de esta antología "Sobre los mundos antiguos" nos haría pensar que el libro tiene por objeto rescatar las nociones de las viejas civilizaciones tradicionales... esto es así, sin embargo ¿Qué ensayo o trabajo de Schuon no tiene esta intención? Uno se pierde en los varios ensayos, donde se pasa de una crítica a la ciencia moderna, mientras atravesamos la visión hindú del mundo, y terminamos con los pieles rojas. Cada texto es en sí una unidad y parece guardar poca relación con los que le suceden. Eso aniquila el interés por seguir leyendo este libro (de hecho cuando retome el libro dos semanas después, había olvidado lo leído). La lectura se vuelve árida.
El genio de Schuon es de celebrarse, pero se perdió en un maremágnum de escritos. (Igual problema han sufrido pensadores como Ortega y Gasset y Ramiro de Maeztu) . Para colmo la labor editorial ha jugado en su contra. Triste destino para tan magnífico autor.
April 14, 2024
Excellente traduction qui donne envie de lire le texte originel en français
Frithjof Schuon est sans nul doute un maître et certains chapitres de ce livre sont d’une beauté émouvante, tel celui sur le monachisme.
Frithjof Schuon est sans nul doute un maître et certains chapitres de ce livre sont d’une beauté émouvante, tel celui sur le monachisme.
October 27, 2025
Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful read! F.S. never disappoints
April 2, 2024
His references to Native Americans are very… what was progressive in the 90’s but cringe today. Almost as bad as Frugal Gourmet talking about soul food.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews