¶3 We have no intention of returning to all that we have already had occasion to expound elsewhere concerning the role of the intellectual elite in the different circumstances that may be envisaged as possible for a more or less imminent future.1 We will therefore confine ourselves to saying this: whatever the manner in which the change is accomplished that constitutes what may be called the passage from one world to another — whether it concerns more or less extensive cycles — this change, even if it has the appearance of a sudden rupture, never implies an absolute discontinuity, for there is a causal chain that links all cycles together.2 The elite of which we speak, if it succeeded in forming itself while there is still time, could prepare the change in such a way that it takes place under the most favourable conditions, and that the disturbance that will inevitably accompany it is, as it were, reduced to a minimum;3 but, even if it is not so, it will always have another task, even more important: that of contributing to the preservation of what must survive the present world and serve for the building of the future world.4 It is obvious that one must not wait until the descent is finished to prepare the ascent, since one knows that this ascent will necessarily take place, even if one cannot prevent the descent from ending previously in some cataclysm;5 and thus, in all cases, the work accomplished will not be lost: it cannot be as regards the benefits that the elite will derive from it for itself, but neither will it be as regards its later results for humanity as a whole.6
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Summary

Guénon states that he will not revisit what he has already explained elsewhere about the intellectual elite’s role in possible future circumstances. He observes that any transition from one world to another, however sudden it may appear, never involves an absolute discontinuity, as all cycles are linked by a causal chain. If the elite can form itself in time, it could prepare the change to occur under the most favourable conditions and minimise the inevitable disturbance. Even if this does not happen, the elite will still have the task of preserving what must survive the present world for the future one. Since the ascent will necessarily follow the descent, preparation must not be delayed until the descent is complete; the work accomplished will not be lost, either for the elite itself or for humanity as a whole.

General notes

  1. rôle de l’élite intellectuelle — Rendered as ‘role of the intellectual elite’. Guénon refers to his other works (notably The Crisis of the Modern World and The Reign of Quantity) where he develops more fully the function of the spiritual elite in the face of cyclical crises. ↩︎
  2. enchaînement causal reliant tous les cycles — Rendered as ‘causal chain linking all cycles’. Guénon states the principle of cyclical continuity: although historical cycles (like the Hindu yugas) seem marked by ruptures, they are in reality linked by a causal chain that ensures the transition between worlds. There is no absolute discontinuity. ↩︎
  3. réduire le trouble au minimum — Rendered as ‘reduce disturbance to a minimum’. If the elite forms before the final cataclysm, it can orient the transition to minimise suffering and destruction. This is its positive role. ↩︎
  4. conservation de ce qui doit survivre — Rendered as ‘preservation of what must survive’. The essential task of the elite, if it cannot prevent the cataclysm, is to preserve the traditional elements (knowledge, rites, institutions) that must be transmitted to the future world. It is like Noah or the guardians of knowledge in times of crisis. ↩︎
  5. préparer la remontée pendant la descente — Rendered as ‘prepare the ascent during the descent’. Guénon states a principle of practical wisdom: even if the fall is inevitable, one must prepare for restoration during the descent itself. Passive waiting is an error. ↩︎
  6. le travail de l’élite n’est jamais perdu — Rendered as ‘the work of the elite is never lost’. Guénon reaffirms that the intellectual and spiritual effort of the elite always produces fruits: for itself (interior perfection) and for humanity (transmission of knowledge that will serve the future world). Nothing is vain. ↩︎