Jordan Bernt Peterson is a Canadian clinical psychologist, cultural critic, and professor of psychology. He was born on June 12, 1962, in Alberta, Canada. Peterson earned a B.A. in political science from the University of Alberta and a Ph.D. in clinical psychology from McGill University. He later served as a professor at Harvard University before returning to Canada to teach at the University of Toronto. You’d basically have to be living under a rock not to have heard of him at this point.
Peterson first gained widespread attention in the late 2010s for his opposition to Canada's Bill C-16, which proposed adding "gender identity or expression" as a prohibited ground of discrimination under the Canadian Human Rights Act. He argued that the bill would infringe on free speech rights by compelling the use of specific gender pronouns. This controversy propelled him into the public eye, making him a contentious figure in debates on free speech, political correctness, and gender identity.
He is well-known for his critique of postmodernism and what he views as its negative impact on Western society, particularly its influence on academia and politics. Peterson argues that postmodern philosophy and identity politics undermine traditional values and lead to a fragmentation of society.
Aside from his academic and public speaking career, Jordan Peterson has a significant online presence, with a popular YouTube channel where he posts lectures, interviews, and Q&A sessions. His work covers a wide range of topics including psychology, religion, philosophy, literature, and politics. Peterson's contributions to discussions on cultural and psychological issues have earned him a large following worldwide, though his views have also sparked criticism and polarized opinions.
From a consistent Austro-libertarian perspective, Peterson leaves a lot to be desired. Nonetheless, from a perspective of the insanity of the world, he is a good dose of reality. A frustrating tweener for those of us audacious enough to value consistency and holding to principles.
"12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos" offers a compelling mixture of psychological insight, philosophical wisdom, and practical advice aimed at helping readers navigate the complexities of modern life. Through a blend of academic research, clinical experience, and personal anecdotes, Peterson crafts a guide that seeks to provide an antidote to the chaos that pervades our personal and public lives.
The book's structure, centered around twelve foundational rules, makes for an accessible read, inviting readers to reflect deeply on each aspect of their lives. Peterson's ability to draw from a broad range of disciplines—including psychology, religion, history, and literature—enriches his arguments, providing a multifaceted perspective on how to lead a meaningful life.
One of the standout rules is Rule 4: "Compare yourself to who you were yesterday, not to who someone else is today." This principle touches on the heart of personal growth and self-improvement. Peterson eloquently argues that the journey towards self-betterment is an individual one, where the primary focus should be on personal progress rather than external benchmarks of success. I read this advice as being similar to the concept of Arete (Greek) or Virtus (Latin) which is where the name of this blog comes from.
hile "12 Rules for Life" is undoubtedly a positive and enlightening read, it doesn't entirely escape criticism. While the rules provided are valuable and (almost) without fail should be adhered to, these rules are far too basic for what we ought to expect from people. Note, I am not saying we can expect more just that we should. This is less criticism of Peterson and more of society, I would suggest.
If you haven’t read this book, I do recommend it. Perhaps best in audiobook form where it is easy to gather the major themes but you can also be productive doing other things.