PRINCETON, N.J., Dec. 2--Ninety intellectuals from the U.S. and 27 other countries gathered at the rustic Princeton Inn last night to begin a four-day discussion of U.S. internal problems and their bearing on the future of world politics and culture.

The seminar represents the first occasion in recent history when foreign scholars have been invited to the U.S. to comment on an internal problem.

Included in the group were five Harvard faculty members: Paul M. Doty Jr., Mallinckrodt Professor of Biochemistry; John Kenneth Galbraith, Paul M. Warburg professor of Economics; Stanley H. Hoffmann, professor of Government; Henry A. Kissinger, professor of Government; and Martin H. Peretz, assistant professor of Social Studies.

Asked if the conference aimed at influencing policies of the Nixon administration, Carl M. Kaysen, co-chairman of the seminar and director of Princeton's Institute for Advanced Studies, said, "It isn't the aim of an enterprise such as this to come out with a conclusion that will be useful in making a specific decision on a specific problem."

The goal of the seminar, he added, is "to change the thinking and the understanding of a group of people" who can influence the thinking of others.

However, Shepard Stone, president of the International Association for Cultural Freedom, which is sponsoring the conference said that he had contacted Nixon's staff and that some members might try to attend part of the conference.

The LACF is an international organization which seeks to encourage dialogue

It will stop on request anywhere along the route. Because the bus is chartered, riders or their escorts must be affiliated with the University. The driver may request Harvard identification, such as a bursar's card or a Coop card.

Although Cliffies may be worried about their future dates, Harvard men are enthusiastic. One economy-minded Harvard junior said, "Figuring that a mixer costs a dollar, if you meet one Cliffie in nine rides, you're saving money. And if you get sick of riding, there's always Hilles at the end of the line.