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I would place myself in the conservative corner, but I find Peterson quite problematic. 1. It just feels too good to hear him talk in those maps of meaning lec
by lixtra 9y ago
I would place myself in the conservative corner, but I find Peterson quite problematic.
1. It just feels too good to hear him talk in those maps of meaning lectures. But if you don’t „follow“ and instead analyze what he is saying and how he forms an argument, then you realize that he is not arguing but just putting metaphors together and interpreting them as he sees fit in the moment. That’s why it’s so appealing. But quite often it’s not logic and even less conclusive.
2. His often repeated „life is suffering“ is in the presented totallity not a useful nor true worldview. Life is suffering and joy. (I say this as a pessimist.)
3. If you then check out his reading list you find mostly very disturbing titles and no silver lining.
2. and 3. put his followers in a depressed state where he can uplift them with 1.
No wonder he has a sect like following.
His conservative debates are more to the point but I‘m not sure if it is not just advertising for his „religious lectures“.
That’s what I find dangerous about him.
- hashberry 9y agoI understand that cult leaders can be problematic. But do you think his followers are becoming a danger to society?
- lixtra 9y agoIn total it’s a tiny rather peaceful group. I don’t see a danger for society. I’m sure he does help some of his followers. But I doubt that most of his followers profit long term from him. At some point they should move on for their own good.
- andai 9y agoIn response to your last sentence, I am interpreting that as a judgment that the quality of his lectures is inferior to those to which people should move on to, is that right? Do you have any recommendations?
- lixtra 9y agoI‘m tempted to say think for yourself... It may sound like a different category but i found listening to Tim Ferris and Guy Raz much more positive and felt energized to try stuff. JBP helps you to do your dishes but the two other push you to pursue your dreams. Your mileage my vary.
- stcredzero 9y ago1. It just feels too good to hear him talk in those maps of meaning lectures...just putting metaphors together and interpreting them as he sees fit in the moment. That’s why it’s so appealing. But quite often it’s not logic and even less conclusive. Pretty much like a TED talk. Actually, if you look up TED talks about how to be an effective speaker, you will find the advice to talk in simple language and to use metaphors. Also, they advise you to throw in sentiments to which your audience will agree. 2. His often repeated „life is suffering“ is in the presented totallity not a useful nor true worldview. Life is suffering and joy. (I say this as a pessimist.) Do you actually think he says that life is only suffering? Sorry, but that seems like a deliberate misrepresentation of his views. What evidence do you have that Dr. Peterson is anti-joy? Here's an exercise: find evidence in what he says that shows he values joy. 3. If you then check out his reading list you find mostly very disturbing titles and no silver lining. Let's go right for the most disturbing: The Gulag Archipelago. It's disturbing as an indictment of the worst human beings can do, while those same people are spouting the most positive sounding utopian ideology. It's not going to depress anyone in the West, unless they have already tied up their identity and self worth in a similar ideology. As for a silver lining -- to buck up, bear your burdens, and strive to live a worthwhile life -- strikes me as a worthwhile and positive message.
- api 9y ago"Pretty much like a TED talk. Actually, if you look up TED talks about how to be an effective speaker, you will find the advice to talk in simple language and to use metaphors. Also, they advise you to throw in sentiments to which your audience will agree." So intellectual pop chords and power riffs... As for the quasi-alt-right flirtation a while back I started calling a lot of that stuff "intellectual edgelording." Some on the left are guilty of it too, but the far right has really mastered it.
- hi-im-mi-ih 9y agoHow far we have fallen. We've got a long way to go
- lixtra 9y ago