philosophy – Flame in the Schell

Jordan B. Peterson’s books are at the top of my shelf, just next to G.K Chesterton and C.S Lewis.

They call him controversial. They call him dangerous. Mainstream press (or should say “presstytutes”?) line up in forming all kinds of tactics aimed at discrediting him.

They really don’t like what he has to say.

And the reason is simple.

That’s because we already reached the times of which Orwell spoke in his famous quote:

“The further a society drifts from the truth, the more it will hate those that speak it.”

Dr. Peterson’s “12 rules for life” is a treasure chest of great lessons. Some are new and some are the ones, we always knew yet needed to be reminded of.

I could write long essays on how they resonate with me & how they helped me in some of the toughest moments of my life. But that’s story for another time.

There is one common theme, that is at the core of Jordan B. Peterson’s writings.

His relentless pursuit of the Truth.

Since writing my thesis (more than a decade ago) on methods of influence and manipulation and their ethical aspect, this is the theme that I can relate to on deeply personal level.

So for those of you who do not know Peterson’s writings really well I highly recommend that you disregard everything you heard about him in media, just grab his “12 lessons for life” and start reading it.

But for start if you are not up for such a big leap, a brand new opportunity has arrived. Official channel of Jordan B. Peterson just posted a well animated video which illustrates some of his essential ideas.

The animations are brilliant and on the point, much like Dr. Peterson’s lectures themselves.

I would not recommend to treat the video as a ‘ersatz’ to the proper thing which are his books.

But surely it is a great, short & crisp introduction to what he has to say.

And to start understanding why it is so damn important.

It seems, that things have accelerated.

The loudest proponents of “inclusion” and “diversity”, are pushing the society away from liberty and towards more & more obvious totalitarianism. Big players in media, politics, tech and commerce have hijacked the public discourse (including universities) and are weeding out everything which deviates from mainstream narration with methods that have nothing to do with civilised debate.
Some ideas, even if scientifically proven or statistically backed are labeled as unacceptable, fascist in other words “heretical”. It is not only that you are not allowed to voice your opinion anymore, – often you are not even allowed to ask questions.

Moreover, it is not only opinions & ideas that are labeled, but more often than not, individuals who dare to express them. People are slandered, ostracised and attacked for merely standing out in their worldview.

In times where memes and emotions, replaced arguments and facts, it is easy to spin the debate out of control. As Jordan Peterson (featured in the documentary) observes” The consequence that you are not talking is that you fight”.

These thoughts and warnings have been brilliantly captured through series of interviews and discussions in a new movie by Marijn Poels; Paradogma.

As Norbert Bolz, one of the professors featured in the movie ironically observes:

“Free thoughts supported people in informing themselves, so that they can form their own opinions and think independently. Right now it is assumed that people are no longer adults. Thank God we have responsible journalists and politicians that lead us in the right direction”

Liberty needs heretics so that out of the stir, out of the clash of the ideas the Truth can emerge. Because the Truth does not need to be protected from the lies by force, It stands for Itself . But surely, lies need brute force to be protected from the Truth.

Watch Paradogma (by Marijn Poels) here:

Tag: philosophy

“Choose your damn sacrifice” & other lessons from Jordan B. Peterson

“The further a society drifts from the truth, the more it will hate those that speak it.”