Recognitions: Studies on Men and Problems from the Perspective of the Right

by Julius Evola

This volume contains a rich collection of Julius Evola’s late essays. Distilling the work of a lifetime, these essays, despite the great diversity of their subjects, all depart from Evola’s basic and intransigent principles. From a consideration of specific personalities, such as Donoso Cortés, Vilfredo Pareto, Joseph de Maistre, Metternich, Michelstaedter, and Henry Miller, to the investigation of an entire series of problems, such as the “revolution from the heights,” the “twilight of the East,” the myth of the West, political versus biological youth, and the emergence of the Fifth Estate, this book also includes doctrinal analyses of Zen Buddhism, the so-called Left-Hand Path, the “myth of the future regality,” neo-realism, and the “fetish for magic” — analyses which delve atimes also into the past, as in the evocation of Emperor Julian, the indication of the significance which the Sibylline Books had in Ancient Rome, and the investigation into the mysteries of Mithras. The material herein is wide and various, but in all cases of perennial interest, and Evola’s treatment brings essential normative values to the fore — values which might serve for the interior and spiritual formation of a new generation.

Genres: Philosophy, Politics, Nonfiction

Unknown Binding

First published January 1, 1974

About the author

Julius Evola, born Giulio Cesare Andrea Evola, was an Italian philosopher and esoteric scholar. Born in Rome to a Sicilian family (often claimed to be landed gentry, giving Julius the title of Baron, though his birth certificate lists his father's occupation as "Mechanic," while his mother worked for the post office), Evola was raised a strict Roman Catholic. Despite this, his life was characterised by 'an anti-bourgeois approach' hostile to both 'the dominant tradition of the West—Christianity and Catholicism—and to contemporary civilization—the 'modern world' of democracy and materialism'.

By turns 'engineering student, artillery officer, Dadaist poet and painter, journalist, alpinist, scholar, linguist, Orientalist, and political commentator', he has been described as a 'rare example of universality in an age of specialization'. Yet behind it all lay a singular emphasis on, and pursuit of, a 'direct relationship to the Absolute'. For Evola, 'the center of all things was not man, but rather the Transcendent.' This metaphysical conviction can be seen to have determined both Evola's stance on socio-political issues, and his antipathetic attitude towards 'all professional, sentimental and family routines'.

The author of many books on esoteric, political and religious topics, his best-known work remains Revolt Against the Modern World, a trenchant critique of modern civilisation that has been described as 'the gateway to his thought'. Since his death, also in Rome, his writings have influenced right-wing, reactionary and conservative political thought not only in his native Italy, but throughout continental Europe and, increasingly, the English-speaking world. Nevertheless, he should not be considered primarily as a political thinker, but rather as an exponent of the wider Traditionalist School that encompasses the work of such individuals as René Guénon, Titus Burckhardt and Frithjof Schuon.

Reviews

[Bobby Daugherty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Written towards the end of his life, a collection of essays that are direct as well as informative on the value of our heritage and birthright as well as the putrid elements opposing our very existence.

[Karol Kolbusz · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Recognitions" by Julius Evola is a collection of 40 essays and his final book, published shortly before his death in 1974. One of the practical advantages of the format is that the essays can be read in any order, making it easy to dip into whatever subject draws your attention.

The range of topics is remarkably broad, touching on nearly every major theme Evola dealt with across his career. Some of the subjects include: the doctrine of the four castes, the left-hand path, magic, political reflections on the modern right, Masonry, Mithraism, the Sibylline Books, and analyses of conservative thinkers such as Joseph de Maistre and Metternich. The translator deserves particular credit here, as the footnotes are very helpful and enlightening, especially when Evola references lesser-known authors or obscure concepts that would otherwise be difficult to understand.

The first half of the book is probably the strongest. Evola is at his best when addressing modern dissolution and historical subjects, particularly his essays on ancient Rome. The essays devoted to modern thinkers, by comparison, are somewhat less interesting.

This may not be the ideal starting point for someone entirely new to Evola. However, I can wholeheartedly recommend "Recognitions" to anyone already familiar with the works of the Baron. My suggestion would be to begin with whatever topics interest you most and go from there.

[Mariasole · Rating 3 out of 5]

Una buona fonte di brevi saggi su società, politica e storia Mi sarebbe piaciuto però che la casa editrice avesse inserito la data per ogni scritto,in modo da contenstualizzarli e relazionarli tra loro,

[Radu · Rating 4 out of 5]

As always, Evola is Cognac for the soul.

Perhaps not as insightful as his other works, but still a good collection of mostly post-WWII essays about the world as Evola saw it.