313 Jordan Peterson Life Death Power Fame And Meaning

At a Glance

• Faith and Commitment - “You have to make the commitment a priority. It’s like a marriage, it’s the same thing.” Peterson highlights that faith requires commitment and taking action to see if it’s true.

• Radical Embrace of Truth - “The full passion story isn’t death…It’s unjust, torturous, innocent death…attendant upon betrayal and tyranny, followed by hell. Well, that’s a hell of the thing to radically embrace.” Peterson discusses the crucifix as a symbol of embracing truth and suffering for it.

• Cynicism vs. Blind Naivety - “A burnt cynicism is a moral improvement over a blind naivety…You’re just barely started. It’s like you’re cynical. You’re not cynical enough.” Peterson talks about the importance of moving beyond cynicism to true understanding and growth.

• Facing the Dark Within - “All of it [the darkness within] is inside us. Yeah, and you just have to look…and once you do maybe eventually you can find the love.” Peterson encourages listeners to confront their own darkness and find love in doing so.

• Truth Seeking - “You must have chaos within you to give birth to a dancing star.” A quote from Nietzsche that sums up the importance of seeking truth and living life authentically.

What to Do

• Commit to your values - “You have to make the commitment a priori. It’s like a marriage, it’s the same thing. You bind yourself to it. And that tighter you bind yourself to it, the more you find out what it is.” This advice suggests that we should commit to our values and principles, even if we’re not entirely sure what they are or where they will lead us.

• Face your darkness - “You have to go down pretty deep into the weeds before you find that part of you. But you can find it if you want.” This advice encourages us to confront our own flaws, weaknesses, and doubts in order to grow and become better versions of ourselves.

• Seek truth, not just ideals - “Truth is… handmade. It’s a hierarchy of ideal. And the thing about truth, that bitter truth, let’s say that cynical truth, it can break the shackles of naivety.” This advice suggests that we should strive for truth and honesty in our lives, rather than just adhering to ideals or principles.

• Take responsibility for your actions - “So I’d bring it on. I think a lot of people put truth as the highest ideal and think they can get to that ideal while living in a place of cynicism and ultimately escape from life and hiding from life, afraid of life.” This advice encourages us to take responsibility for our actions and not hide behind ideals or excuses.

• Find love and truth within yourself - “And then you think, well, I want to stop this. Well, that was the question you posed in some sense. You’re obsessed with… what happened on these mass scale catastrophes in the communist countries. It’s like, well, millions of people participated. So you could have, and maybe you would have enjoyed it. So what part of that is you?” This advice suggests that we should look within ourselves for love and truth, rather than trying to find them outside of ourselves.

What to Get

• We Who Wrestle with God Perceptions of the Divine by Jordan Peterson - Amazon

• Maps of Meaning: The Architecture of Belief by Jordan Peterson - Amazon - For delving deeper into topics covered in the podcast topic.

• 12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos by Jordan Peterson - Amazon ‍

• Beyond Order: 12 More Rules for Life - Jordan Peterson - Amazon ‍

• Auschwitz prison guard level of cynicism - Refers to the extreme level of cynicism that might be required to fully comprehend and confront the harsh realities of life.

• Friedrich Nietzsche’s quote - A philosophical quote “You must have chaos within you to give birth to a dancing star” used as a final thought in the conversation.

Summary

In this thought-provoking podcast episode, Jordan Peterson engages in a fascinating conversation about the human experience and the meaning of life. He begins by highlighting how our collective experiences shape the world we live in, and how individuals contribute to creating this reality through their choices and actions. This discussion sets the stage for exploring the importance of faith, love, and truth as fundamental values that guide us on our journey.

The conversation delves into the concept of faith, with Peterson explaining that it’s not just about believing in something; rather, it’s about acting on those beliefs to see if they hold true. He draws parallels between finding one’s path in life and committing to a relationship, emphasizing that we must take a leap of faith to discover what works for us. This radical approach is mirrored in the symbolism of the crucifix, which represents embracing the harsh realities of life with courage and resilience.

Peterson also discusses the interplay between truth and cynicism, noting that while cynicism can be a necessary step towards moral growth, it’s essential to move beyond mere criticism and confront the darker aspects of human nature. He acknowledges that we all have the capacity for both good and evil within us, as evident in tragic events like the Holocaust, where millions of people were complicit or directly involved. This recognition underscores the importance of self-reflection, accountability, and personal growth.

Throughout this engaging conversation, Jordan Peterson shares his insights on the human experience, faith, love, truth, and cynicism. He encourages listeners to explore their own values, confront their flaws, and strive for moral improvement. As he concludes the episode, he quotes Friedrich Nietzsche’s profound words: “You must have chaos within you to give birth to a dancing star.” This message inspires us to embark on our individual journeys of self-discovery, embracing the complexities and challenges that shape us into better versions of ourselves.

This podcast episode offers a rich tapestry of ideas, making it an excellent choice for anyone interested in philosophy, psychology, or spirituality. The conversation’s thought-provoking nature will resonate with students, thinkers, and individuals seeking to deepen their understanding of the human condition.