JRE #877 – Jordan Peterson

This podcast features a fascinating and thought-provoking conversation between Joe Rogan and Jordan Peterson, a clinical psychologist and tenured professor of psychology at the University of Toronto. They dive deep into contentious topics surrounding social justice, gender identity, Marxism, and the state of modern universities. Peterson’s candid and insightful perspective challenges conventional wisdom and raises crucial questions about the dangers of ideological rigidity, the importance of free speech, and the need for intellectual honesty in a world saturated with misinformation and oversimplification.

Major Topics and Underlying Themes:

• Gender Pronouns and Identity Politics:
  • Peterson argues against the enforced use of invented gender pronouns, highlighting the absurdity of compelling individuals to conform to a constantly expanding list of subjective identities. He criticizes the “postmodernist” philosophy underlying this movement, seeing it as a power struggle disguised as inclusivity.
  • He connects this trend to a dangerous shift in social justice discourse, where group identity takes precedence over individual competence and merit. He warns against the dangers of collective guilt, where individuals are judged based on the perceived sins of their group.
  • Peterson emphasizes the importance of free speech and the right to disagree, arguing that the pressure to conform to enforced pronouns stifles intellectual discourse and creates a climate of fear.
  • He points out the irony of pushing for diversity in terms of race, ethnicity, and gender while simultaneously demanding ideological uniformity, arguing that diversity of thought is the only true value in a university setting.
• The Perils of Marxism and Leftist Ideologies:
  • Peterson critiques Marxist ideology, highlighting its history of violence and oppression. He draws on historical examples like the Soviet Union and Maoist China to demonstrate the disastrous consequences of implementing Marxist principles.
  • He argues that Marxist ideas, while superficially appealing to compassionate intellectuals, ultimately lead to a system of control and suppression, where individual needs and abilities are determined by those in power.
  • Peterson points out the hypocrisy of those who condemn capitalism while benefiting from its fruits, arguing that their anti-capitalist sentiments often stem from resentment and a desire to redistribute wealth, not to promote true equality.
  • He suggests that the rise of Marxist-inspired ideologies in universities and society at large is due to a lack of historical awareness, a tendency towards oversimplification, and a misplaced emphasis on compassion.
• The State of Modern Universities:
  • Peterson argues that modern universities have become ideological echo chambers, dominated by leftist perspectives and intolerant of dissenting views. He describes a system where academic freedom is under threat, and conformity to progressive orthodoxy is enforced.
  • He criticizes the use of “trigger warnings,” “safe spaces,” and mandatory “anti-bias training” as harmful and unproductive. He argues that universities should be places for challenging ideas, not for shielding students from discomfort or dissenting viewpoints.
  • He expresses concern about the growing power of university administrators, who often prioritize political correctness over academic rigor, and the financial burdens placed on students through soaring tuition and student loan debt.
  • He suggests that the traditional university model is outdated and potentially harmful, and that the internet may provide a more accessible and effective platform for education and intellectual exchange.
• The Importance of Individual Responsibility and Personal Growth:
  • Peterson emphasizes the importance of individual responsibility and personal growth. He advocates for self-reflection, self-improvement, and a focus on developing one’s character.
  • He criticizes the notion of “equality of outcome” as detrimental to individual motivation and achievement. He argues that striving for excellence and seeking to overcome challenges is essential for personal growth.
  • Peterson offers practical advice on personal transformation, emphasizing the value of self-authoring and the importance of confronting past traumas and negative emotions. He introduces his self-authoring programs as tools for personal development and improving mental health.
  • He suggests that true change begins with personal transformation and that focusing on external forces often leads to resentment and a failure to address underlying issues.
• The Role of Religion and Metaphysics:
  • Peterson, a deeply religious man, argues that religion and spirituality play a crucial role in providing moral guidance and meaning in life. He differentiates between religious truth and scientific truth, suggesting that the former deals with “how you should act” while the latter deals with “what things are.”
  • He sees religious stories and archetypes as profound and enduring guides for human behavior. He highlights the importance of balancing order and chaos, and of recognizing the constant cycle of death and rebirth in life.
  • Peterson critiques the modern tendency to dismiss religion as outdated or irrelevant, arguing that it offers crucial insights into the human condition and provides a framework for navigating the complexities of life.
  • He suggests that the modern crisis of meaning and the rise of nihilism are partly due to the decline of traditional religious structures, and that rediscovering the wisdom embedded in these stories is essential for building a more stable and meaningful society.
• The Power of Free Speech and the Dangers of Censorship:
  • Peterson consistently argues for the protection of free speech and the right to dissent, even when faced with hostile reactions or threats of censorship. He sees the suppression of ideas as a dangerous path toward tyranny and a loss of intellectual freedom.
  • He emphasizes the importance of being able to speak truth, even when it is unpopular or controversial. He believes that the suppression of speech, even under the guise of promoting social justice, ultimately leads to more harm than good.
  • Peterson’s personal experiences with university administrators and the legal repercussions of expressing his views illustrate the increasing pressure to conform to a dominant ideology and the dangers of censoring dissenting opinions.
  • He warns against the creeping influence of “hate speech” laws and the tendency to label dissenting voices as “hateful” or “dangerous,” arguing that this trend is a threat to free expression and a slippery slope towards a more authoritarian society.
• The Impact of the Internet and the Future of Education:
  • Peterson sees the internet as a revolutionary force in education, offering unprecedented access to information and enabling a direct connection between educators and a vast audience. He celebrates the emergence of online platforms like YouTube and podcasts as alternative spaces for disseminating knowledge and challenging traditional educational models.
  • He argues that the internet has the potential to democratize education and make it more accessible to people of all backgrounds and interests. He predicts that online learning may eventually overshadow traditional universities, particularly as those institutions become increasingly focused on political agendas.
  • He suggests that online platforms can provide a more diverse and intellectually stimulating learning environment, allowing individuals to explore a wide range of ideas and perspectives without the pressure to conform to a dominant ideology.
  • Peterson’s own experience with YouTube demonstrates the immense potential of online platforms to reach large audiences and spark intellectual engagement. He suggests that online education may be the future of learning, offering a more dynamic and accessible approach to acquiring knowledge.

5 Memorable Quotes

• “You are one of the very few academics who have fought against some of these ideas that are not just being promoted but are being enforced and enforced and written into law.”
• “There are always apologists for the left in the west, especially in France, especially among the French intellectuals, especially in the late 19 sixties.”
• “The underlying pathological philosophy remained exactly the same, but the surface nomenclature changed, and that became very attractive.”
• “People are motivated to a great degree by resentment of being, and a huge chunk of that is manifested in, ‘I get to decide who my enemies are and then I get to go after them and I can go after them every single thing that’s ever been done to me that isn’t good.'”
• “I don’t like ideology, period. And I know where corruption of speech leads, and I’m not going there.”