Forgotten Truth

The Primordial Tradition

Author of the classic comparative study The Religions of Man, Smith now turns to what he calls the ‘primordial tradition’. Smith’s central thesis is that our misreading of science has blinded us to a spiritual truth encapsulated in the phrase, ‘Man mirrors cosmos’. Smith intrigues us with his speculation, whether he is mapping out a hierarchical framework for dream, archetypes, occult phenomena and the ‘soul’ of saviours, mystics, philosophers; drawing parallels between modern physics and religion; or challenging neo-Darwinism with an assist from the philosopher Polanyi. Smith’s style reflects his subject; he is by turns a mystics sage, a poet, and above all, a philosopher, making his points with logic. This is a book which continually rewards the thoughtful reader.

Increasingly philosophy of religion has been shifting from simply rational investigation of faith claims to probing the meaning and validity of the religious viewpoint generally, drawing on all the great religions as resources. Huston Smith. has blazed this trail, and his new book is a significant step toward a comprehensive philosophy of comparative religions.