First of all, in a way, this may sound as an odd comparison, but reading through this book, I found that Jordan Peterson’s writing style to bear a significant degree of resemblance to that of the renowned Russian author, Fyodor Dostoevsky. Both tend to employ a self-reflective, introspective dialogue in their works. However, unlike Dostoevsky’s often intricate and complex train of thought, Peterson’s approach is more direct and accessible, yet retains a similar depth of imagination.* A balance that I particularly appreciate. His 12 Rules for Life reads almost like a series of individual, self-contained mini-books, each of which could have been expanded further more in breadth if he had wanted. Peterson maintains a concise, focused narrative, ensuring that every sentence holds significance. In the final chapter, titled Coda, he skillfully ties together the preceding ideas, creating a structure that almost mirrors a well composed musical composition of the classics in my opinion.
It is particularly intriguing that Jordan Peterson simultaneously presents two seemingly contradictory worldviews on the subject of creation. On one hand, he references Darwinian principles, discussing how humans, like chimpanzees, are products of evolutionary processes. His extensive footnotes and bibliography, which include numerous works on research related to chimpanzees and other primates, clearly indicate his intent to draw distinct comparisons and analogies between human behavior and that of primates. This approach is particularly evident in his fifth chapter, where he discusses the importance of discipline and frequently references these studies to support his arguments. On the other hand, he advocates for the value of religious belief, particularly in God and Christianity, as beneficial, regardless of whether one perceives these beliefs as literal truths or metaphorical narratives. This juxtaposition raises compelling questions about the intersection of science and religion in understanding human existence. I appreciate this perspective, as the reality is that we do not yet fully know whether it is possible to dismiss religion as mere fiction or to regard science as a form of black magic. It is essential that we remain open to both possibilities, so as to avoid regretting a potential epiphany that our future selves might one day encounter.† Frankly, I view Peterson’s ability to fully engage with two seemingly contradictory perspectives as a strong indicator of intellectual depth. By embracing both views with conviction and seeking to reconcile them within his own understanding, he demonstrates a commendable capacity for nuanced thought.
Here are several excerpts from his book that I found particularly noteworthy along with my brief comments below each quotation:
“… If you surround yourself with people who support your upward aim, they will not tolerate your cynicism and destructiveness. They will instead encourage you when you do good for yourself and others and punish you carefully when you do not. This will help bolster your resolve to do what you should do, in the most appropriate and careful manner. People who are not aiming up will do the opposite. They will offer a former smoker a cigarette and a former alcoholic a beer. They will become jealous when you succeed, or do something pristine. …” pg. 89
Peterson emphasizes the importance of surrounding oneself with the right friends, echoing the adage that we are the sum total of the five people we spend the most time with. Friends can significantly influence our behavior and achievements. This notion holds true; until, however, the challenge arises when one finds themselves without any positively characterized acquaintances around. Ending all friendships with those who do not have your best interests at heart may lead to isolation, and isolation can be one of the most perilous social conditions in itself. Prolonged loneliness can result in social awkwardness and a loss of social calibration.
Even Thomas Jefferson alluded to this in a letter to a relative from Monticello, Virginia. While serving as Secretary of State under George Washington, Jefferson longed to retire from public office and return to his farm in Virginia to pursue personal matters such as intellectual development and farm work. However, after two years of relative isolation away from politics, he became uneasy and felt the need to re-engage in public service. This underscores that isolating oneself, even in the absence of ideal friendships, is not the solution.1
“… And then “better” means to aim at the Improvement of Being, with a capital “I’ and a capital “B.” Thinking all of this-realizing all of this-you take a risk. You decide that you will start treating Old Testament God, with all His terrible and oft-arbitrary-seeming power, as if He could also be New Testament God (even though you understand the many ways in which that is absurd). In other words, you decide to act as if existence might be justified by its goodness—if only you behaved properly. And it is that decision, that declaration of existential faith, that allows you to overcome nihilism, and resentment, and arrogance. It is that declaration of faith that keeps hatred of Being, with all its attendant evils, at bay. And, as for such faith: it is not at all the will to believe things that you know perfectly well to be false. Faith is not the childish belief in magic. That is ignorance or even willful blindness. It is instead the realization that the tragic irrationalities of life must be counterbalanced by an equally irrational commitment to the essential goodness of Being. It is simultaneously the will to dare set your sights at the unachievable, and to sacrifice everything, including (and most importantly) your life. You realize that you have, literally, nothing better to do. But how can you do all this? -assuming you are foolish enough to try. …” pg.107
This excerpt from the book is perhaps my favorite, as it captures Jordan Peterson’s discussion on the inherent irrationalities of life and how these can be counterbalanced by what he describes as the irrationalities of religion. This perspective is particularly intriguing for those who dismiss religion outright, often without giving it a fair consideration or even exploring religious texts.
As a scientist or a rational thinker, it’s important to recognize that human knowledge and understanding have evolved over time, with history playing a crucial role in shaping our discoveries—from the exploration of continents to the invention of electricity. This thread of accumulated knowledge building on each other is passed down through generations. In a similar vein, religion can be viewed not merely as a belief system but as a sociological and philosophical framework—a kind of cultural science that has been transmitted across generations. These biblical writings provide guidance on how to live, how to be a good person, and how to find some semblance of happiness in a world often characterized by uncertainty and a lack of inherent meaning.
While it seems clear that Jordan Peterson may not be a devout believer, his effort to extract valuable ideas from religious teachings is commandable in my opinion. We often strive for logic and rationality in all aspects of life, but we must also acknowledge that our intelligence and rationality may have limitations. We may not be fully equipped to judge the validity of faith solely on logical grounds. In fact, the absence of tangible evidence for the divine might, paradoxically, make the experience of faith even more profound.2
“… Was it really a good thing, for example, to so dramatically liberalize the divorce laws in the 1960’s? It’s not clear to me that the children whose lives were destabilized by the hypothetical freedom this attempt at liberation introduced would say so. Horror and terror lurk behind the walls provided so wisely by our ancestors. We tear them down at our peril. We skate, unconsciously, on thin ice, with deep, cold waters below, where unimaginable monsters lurk. …” pg. 119
Traditions and cultures were not forged through revolution or rapid social change. Much like the process of evolution, they developed gradually over long periods, with each culture selectively preserving customs and rules that were most relevant to their social and regional contexts. It must be honored.
“… We assume that rules will irremediably inhibit what would otherwise be the boundless and intrinsic creativity of our children, even though the scientific literature clearly indicates, first, that creativity beyond the trivial is shockingly rare? and, second, that strict limitations facilitate rather than inhibit creative achievement.” …” pg. 124
This is an insightful point. We can draw a parallel to today’s hyper-digital world, where the overwhelming number of options for creating art has hindered artistic development of individuals. This sheer abundance of choices had lead to creative stagnation. A true musical talent, for instance, can compose a profound piece of music using the most basic tools, requiring little more than his mind, pen, and paper to craft a masterpiece like the Moonlight Sonata. The constant distractions and dopamine-driven media in our environment have impeded progress in both the sciences and the arts. To truly excel, one must learn to sift through the myriad offerings, training the mind to focus and thrive with a more limited, yet deliberate, creative set of tools.
“… Taking the easy way out or telling the truth—those are not merely two different choices. They are different pathways through life. They are utterly different ways of existing. …” pg. 209
It is challenging to maintain falsehoods, and one risks damaging their reputation in the process. When being transparent to others about ourselves, it may be tempting to render things as it isn’t. But, discipline and patience are essential. By aligning our ideals with integrity, we cultivate strong character over time. Additionally, I would like to emphasize the significance of physical fitness and training in this context. The discipline required for maintaining one’s body serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of making choices that are beneficial for one’s well-being in the long term, manifesting physically what we aim to achieve mentally and morally. Honesty and truthfulness are also closely linked to patience in ones character.
“… Pride falls in love with its own creations, and tries to make them absolute …” pg. 210
The ego has a tendency to close the mind to alternative perspectives. Taming the ego requires deliberate practice and does not come naturally easy, particularly for those with a genetic inclination toward melancholy or narcissism.3
“… The fact is important enough to bear repeating: people organize their brains with conversation. If they don’t have anyone to tell their story to, they lose their minds. Like hoarders, they cannot unclutter themselves. The input of the community is required for the integrity of the individual psyche. To put it another way: It takes a village to organize a mind. …” pg. 250
The quality and strength of one’s inner voice can be enhanced through meaningful social interactions with the right individuals and, of course, by reading books authored by notable writers.4
* By this, I do not mean to subordanize the genius of Dostoevsky in anyway.
† Here I am as I write this, I am assuking a global character devoid of any cultural attachments, almost like an alien trying to make the most rationally correct decision. But for the record, I am more inclined to be a bliever.
Footnotes:
1) This information is derived from a letter written by Thomas Jefferson to a family member. For further exploration of Jefferson’s life, his relationship with John Adams, and the historical context of the era, I highly recommend John Adams by David McCullough.
2) A previous paper I wrote, The Missing Puzzle Pieces is related to this premise. https://sahinarikoglu.com/2024/09/22/the-missing-puzzle-pieces/
3) A previous paper I wrote in 2017, On The Human Ego is related to this premise. https://sahinarikoglu.com/2017/07/16/on-the-human-ego/
4) Two previous papers I wrote, The Dialogue Within and On The Sources of Principled Decision-Making and The Importance of having a Just Cause are related to this premise. https://sahinarikoglu.com/2020/07/12/the-dialogue-within/ and https://sahinarikoglu.com/2024/09/11/on-the-sources-of-principled-decision-making-and-the-importance-of-having-a-just-cause/
Image Credits:
Image 1: Book cover of 12 Rules for Life, by Jordan Peterson. Link to Book: https://www.amazon.com/12-Rules-Life-Antidote-Chaos/dp/0345816021 Image Source: https://accidentallyretired.com/resources/book-reviews/jordan-peterson-12-rules-for-life-summary-review/3213
Şahin Kaya Arıkoğlu 