The Vertical Ascent

As a foundational text for the Traditionalist school of thought that Wolfgang Smith often engages with, this book provides a rigorous critique of modernity similar to Smith's own philosophical inquiries. It offers a deep, intellectual analysis of how the loss of metaphysical principles has shaped contemporary civilization.

Lewis shares Smith's concern regarding the reductionist nature of modern scientific education and its impact on the human soul. This book serves as a perfect companion piece, arguing for the necessity of objective values in a world increasingly dominated by technological and scientific materialism.

Mumford explores the historical evolution of technology and its profound effect on human culture, echoing Smith's warnings about the 'vertical ascent' being stifled by mechanistic worldviews. It provides a comprehensive historical deep dive into how our tools have shaped our metaphysical reality.

Chesterton offers a brilliant, alternative history of humanity that challenges the evolutionary materialist narrative, much like Smith's critique of scientism. It is a deeply reflective work that seeks to restore a sense of wonder and traditional truth to the human story.

For readers who appreciated the specific arguments in 'The Vertical Ascent,' this earlier work by Smith is essential reading. It delves deeper into the quantum mechanical paradoxes and the philosophical implications of the 'vertical' worldview.

This book reconstructs the medieval worldview, contrasting it sharply with the modern scientific outlook, which aligns closely with Smith's project of recovering lost metaphysical insights. It is a masterful exploration of how our 'picture' of the universe dictates our understanding of reality.

This work critiques the modern obsession with efficiency and technology as the ultimate end of human existence, mirroring the warnings found in Smith's writings. It is a dense, philosophical examination of the 'megamachine' that threatens to replace human agency.

While more academic in tone, this book provides the necessary historical context for the Traditionalist movement that informs Smith's worldview. It is an excellent resource for understanding the intellectual lineage and the philosophical goals of the thinkers Smith aligns with.

Readers who enjoy Smith's focus on the 'vertical' or transcendent aspects of history will appreciate this classic study. It captures the complex, often contradictory, religious and cultural life of the late Middle Ages, providing a stark contrast to modern secularism.

Berman explores the shift from a participatory, enchanted worldview to the disenchanted, mechanistic one of modern science—a central theme in Smith's work. It provides a historical and psychological framework for understanding the loss of meaning in the modern age.