Examines the first principles of the perennial philosophy or ancient wisdom tradition as expressed in the writings of RenT GuTnon and Ananda K. Coomaraswamy; and traces the breakdown of value, meaning, and culture in the West to a decline in those principles since the 13th century. Discusses the reciprocity between the tradition and Western and Eastern culture, and projects a future homogeneous, worldwide system of belief that would restore value and meaning to people's lives. Revised and updated from a 1981 doctoral dissertation for the University of Chicago. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.