About The Term “Traditional Authors” by Róbert Horváth
Author: Kartavirya | Categories: Basic Concepts
The following text is entirely written by Róbert Horváth and is used by permission.
The most eminent of the authors named “traditionalists” or “perennialists” are called “traditional authors” in Hungary. In this context, this latter expression should obviously be comprehended as contemporary, 20th or 21st century traditional authors.
From the spiritual perspective – since traditionality is considered here in this sense – Plutarch the priest of Delphi, Plotinus, Pico della Mirandola, Ibn al-Arabī or for example, Śańkara are obviously traditional authors. However, it is not immediately evident why and on what basis René Guénon and others are called the same.
Some may think this is only to avoid the term “traditionalists” because – as it is said – a normal person cannot be associated with any “ism” or “ists.” We do not say there is no truth in this statement, but this approach fails to grasp the essence of the issue. Indeed, there were times in history when we ourselves would have preferred to strictly avoid any form of “ism.” Today, however, in this age past any “ists” and “isms,” when due to overall spiritual indifference and sluggishness the quality of thinking is sinking to an even lower level, we should recognize that there is nothing clearly positive behind such avoidance of “isms.” We have more or less the same opinion about avoiding the use of terms ending with “ist” and “ism” based on stylistic and “aesthetic” considerations instead of intellectual ones. We would even be ready to call ourselves traditionalists if this were the only alternative to the contemporary indifference to ideas. Yet as we have already remarked, in certain cases “traditionalism” can represent an interim phase in the process of effectively reaching traditional spirituality. Not all “traditionalist” thinkers are “traditional authors” but they may become such. This is an important possibility.
