Traditionalism is a philosophy based on rejection of the Enlightenment, promoting instead age-old values such as simple living, focus on the family, wisdom of the elders, religious faith and strong tribal or national identity. It is a continuation of the oldest worldview of humanity, which arose when first behaviorally modern humans about 70-100 thousand years ago started accumulating myths and rules of moral behaviour. These early ideas still have influence on human society, as described by German scholar Michael Witzel, but the most relevant forms of traditionalism are based on traditions of sages who lived in the Late Bronze Age (Abraham), Axial Age (Jesus and Confucius), or early Middle Ages (Muhammad).
Traditionalist conservatism as a political ideology supports strongly conservative or reactionary social and economic policies, perhaps going as far as theocracy. Perhaps the purest extant example of militant traditionalism are Islamists such as ISIS and al-Qaeda. Christian followers of traditionalism include "Tridentine" Catholics, who reject the reforms of Vaticanum II and practice Latin mass, as well as "Dominion theology" Protestants. Nevertheless, traditionalism does not have to be political and can focus only on maintenance or revival of old traditions in personal life. The Amish are an example of non-political, peaceful traditionalist group that has chosen to opt out of the modern world without attempting to destroy it. Judaism, Hinduism and indigenous pagan religions have their own forms of traditionalism, which likewise can be politicized and militant or not.
Traditionalism is contrasted with modernism and postmodernism.