The Reign of Quantity and the Signs of the Times
Published: 1945
The Reign of Quantity and the Signs of the Times is a seminal work by René Guénon that explores the metaphysical and philosophical underpinnings of the modern world. In this book, Guénon critiques the prevailing materialistic and quantitative mindset that dominates contemporary society, arguing that it leads to spiritual decay and a loss of traditional values. He examines how the emphasis on quantity over quality has permeated various aspects of life, including science, economics, and social organization. Guénon also discusses the cyclical nature of history and the signs indicating the decline of the current era, advocating for a return to traditional metaphysical principles to counteract the negative effects of modernity.
Table of Contents
01INTRODUCTION02QUALITY AND QUANTITY03MATERIA SIGNATA QUANTITATE04MEASURE AND MANIFESTATION05SPATIAL QUANTITY AND QUALIFIED SPACE06THE QUALITATIVE DETERMINATIONS OF TIME076 THE PRINCIPLE OF INDIVIDUATION087 UNIFORMITY AGAINST UNITY09ANCIENT CRAFTS AND MODERN INDUSTRY10THE TWOFOLD SIGNIFICANCE OF ANONYMITY1110 THE ILLUSION OF STATISTICS12UNITY AND 'SIMPLICITY'1312 THE HATRED OF SECRECY14THE POSTULATES OF RATIONALISM15MECHANISM AND MATERIALISM16THE ILLUSION OF 'ORDINARY LIFE'17THE DEGENERATION OF COINAGE1817 THE SOLIDIFICATION OF THE WORLD19SCIENTIFIC MYTHOLOGY AND POPULARIZATION20THE LIMITS OF HISTORY AND GEOGRAPHY21FROM SPHERE TO CUBE22CAIN AND ABEL23THE SIGNIFICANCE OF METALLURGY24TIME CHANGED INTO SPACE25TOWARD DISSOLUTION2625 THE FISSURES IN THE GREAT WALL27SHAMANISM AND SORCERY2827 PSYCHIC RESIDUES2928 THE SUCCESSIVE STAGES IN ANTI-TRADITIONAL ACTION30DEVIATION AND SUBVERSION3130 THE INVERSION OF SYMBOLS32TRADITION AND TRADITIONALISM3332 NEO-SPIRITUALISM3433 CONTEMPORARY INTUITIONISM35THE MISDEEDS OF PSYCHOANALYSIS36THE CONFUSION OF THE PSYCHIC AND THE SPIRITUAL37PSEUDO-INITIATION38THE DECEPTIVENESS OF 'PROPHECIES'3938 FROM ANTI-TRADITION TO COUNTER-TRADITION4039 THE GREAT PARODY: OR SPIRITUALITY INVERTED41THE END OF A WORLD