Jordan Peterson facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jordan Peterson
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Peterson in 2018
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| Born |
Jordan Bernt Peterson
12 June 1962 |
| Education | University of Alberta (BA, BA) McGill University (PhD) |
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Notable work
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| Spouse(s) |
Tammy Roberts
(m. 1989) |
| Children | 2 |
| Relatives | Jim Keller (brother-in-law) |
| Scientific career | |
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| Thesis | (1990) |
| Doctoral advisor | Robert O. Pihl |
| Influences |
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| Signature | |
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Jordan Bernt Peterson (born 12 June 1962) is a Canadian psychologist, author, and online personality. He became widely known in the late 2010s. This was due to his strong opinions on cultural and political topics. Peterson often describes himself as a "classic British liberal" and a "traditionalist."
He was born and grew up in Alberta, Canada. He earned two university degrees in political science and psychology. Later, he received a PhD in clinical psychology from McGill University. After teaching at Harvard University, he became a psychology professor at the University of Toronto in 1998. In 1999, he published his first book, Maps of Meaning: The Architecture of Belief. This book mixed ideas from psychology, mythology, religion, and neuroscience. It explored how people create meaning and form their beliefs.
In 2018, Peterson stopped his clinical practice and teaching for a while. He then released his second book, 12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos. This book became a bestseller in many countries. In 2021, he published his third book, Beyond Order: 12 More Rules for Life. He also left the University of Toronto that year. Peterson's lectures and talks are very popular online. They have been watched and listened to millions of times.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Jordan Peterson was born on June 12, 1962, in Edmonton, Alberta. He grew up in a small town called Fairview. He was the oldest of three children. His mother, Beverley, was a librarian, and his father, Walter, was a school teacher. His middle name, Bernt, comes from his Norwegian great-grandfather. Peterson grew up in a family that was mildly Christian.
In junior high, Peterson became friends with Rachel Notley. She later became a political leader in Alberta. From ages 13 to 18, Peterson was part of the New Democratic Party (NDP). As a teenager, he thought religion was not for smart people. He also hoped for big changes in society. This hope changed when he met other activists in college. As a young man, he worried a lot about the Cold War. He also thought about the chance of a nuclear war.
Career and Work
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From 1993 to 1998, Peterson taught and did research at Harvard University. He was an assistant professor in the psychology department. A former student, Gregg Hurwitz, said Peterson inspired him. Another psychologist, Shelley Carson, said Peterson's classes were very popular. Students would even cry on the last day because they would miss his lectures. In 1998, Peterson moved back to Canada. He became a full professor of psychology at the University of Toronto.
Peterson studies many areas of psychology. These include how medicines affect the mind, the psychology of religion, and personality. For most of his career, he also worked as a clinical psychologist. He would see about 20 patients each week. He is also very active on social media. In 2017, he paused his clinical practice. He also temporarily stopped teaching in 2018.
In 2018, Peterson worked with the College of Psychologists of Ontario (CPO). This was after a concern about his communication style. The college asked him to improve how he talked with patients. He agreed to work on these areas for three months. Peterson had no past issues with his clinical practice.
In 2021, Peterson retired from the University of Toronto. He became a professor emeritus. In May 2022, he became the chancellor of Ralston College. This is a new liberal arts education project. In June 2023, he helped start the Alliance for Responsible Citizenship. He hosted its first big meeting in October of that year.
In November 2022, a professional group asked Peterson to take more training. This training was about being professional in public statements. Peterson disagreed with this request. But in January 2024, a higher court upheld the decision. In August 2024, the Supreme Court of Canada did not hear his appeal. This meant he had to complete the training.
Books and Writings
In 1999, Peterson's first book, Maps of Meaning: The Architecture of Belief, was published. In this book, he shares his ideas about how people find meaning. He also writes about how beliefs are formed. Peterson wanted to understand why people and groups get into conflicts. He explored why people support their beliefs. He looked at how these beliefs can sometimes lead to terrible events.
In January 2018, his second book came out. It was called 12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos. This book offers self-help advice. It is written in a simpler way than his first book. It quickly became a bestseller.
Peterson's third book, Beyond Order: 12 More Rules for Life, was released in March 2021. His publisher had some discussions about the book before it came out.
His fourth book, We Who Wrestle with God: Perceptions of the Divine, was published in November 2024.
Key Ideas and Views
Peterson describes himself as a "classic British liberal" and a "traditionalist." He often says people mistakenly think he is "right-wing." He supports healthcare for everyone. He also believes in sharing wealth to help those in need. Some newspapers have called him "conservative-leaning." Others see him as an important conservative thinker.
Journalist Cathy Young noted that Peterson's ideas are a mix. She said he shares some wise thoughts. But he also says things that get criticism. She felt that critics often unfairly label him. Helen Lewis said Peterson is "countercultural." He doesn't offer easy solutions. Instead, he says life is a struggle, but it is worth it.
Academia and Political Correctness
Peterson believes that universities have played a big role in "political correctness." He thinks this trend has grown in North America and Europe since the 1990s. He feels that some university subjects, like humanities, have become less focused on science. He argues that "proper culture" has been weakened by certain ideas.
His criticisms of political correctness cover many topics. These include postmodernism, postmodern feminism, and cultural appropriation. His online presence has made his views widely known. Chris Selley wrote that Peterson's opponents did not understand how much anger was caused by topics like "white privilege."
Peterson has suggested that some university departments should lose funding. He advises new students to avoid subjects he thinks are influenced by certain political ideas. He believes these fields can promote group-like behaviors. He also thinks they create "safe spaces" under the guise of learning.
He often speaks against identity politics. He says it is used by both sides of politics. He believes both are equally risky. Instead, he emphasizes focusing on individuals and personal responsibility. He has also spoken about cultural appropriation. He thinks this idea makes people censor themselves.
Gender and Masculinity
Peterson argues that there is a "crisis of masculinity" happening. He believes the "masculine spirit is under attack." He says that some people describe society's structure as an "oppressive patriarchy." But he thinks they don't want to admit that success might be based on skill. He has also said that men without partners might become violent. He believes that male violence is lower in societies where people usually have one partner.
He has linked the rise of certain politicians to a negative reaction. He thinks this reaction is against efforts to make men more "feminine." He says if men are pushed too much to be feminine, they might become interested in harsh political ideas.
Climate Change Views
Peterson has expressed doubts about the scientific consensus on climate change. He has said he is "very skeptical of the models" used to predict climate change. He also claimed that "there is no such thing as climate." He questioned how accurate climate models are. Climate scientists have said Peterson's views show a lack of understanding. They also said he confused weather forecasting with climate modeling.
Religion and Beliefs
In a 2017 interview, Peterson was asked if he was a Christian. He replied, "I suppose the most straight-forward answer to that is yes." When asked if he believes in God, he said, "I think the proper response to that is no, but I'm afraid He might exist." Tim Lott noted that Peterson gets ideas from Carl Jung's views on religion. He also has ideas similar to Christian thinkers like Søren Kierkegaard. Peterson respects Taoism because it sees life as a balance between order and chaos. He also admires some teachings of the Eastern Orthodox Church.
Influence and Public Appearances
In 2018, Kelefa Sanneh wrote that Peterson was "one of the most influential" public thinkers. Mick Brown wrote in 2022 that Peterson is a very visible figure. He is known for challenging new ideas in culture and politics. Caitlin Flanagan suggested Peterson is popular because he offers a new way to understand the world. Many of his fans are white men. She argued that this group is looking for different ideas.
Zack Beauchamp wrote that Peterson fits well with today's politics. His strong views and speaking skills are perfect for online platforms. His criticisms of identity politics are common conservative ideas. But his academic background makes his words seem more powerful.
Peterson has appeared on TV shows since 2003. He has discussed psychological topics. He was featured in a 13-part lecture series based on his book Maps of Meaning. He has also been in documentary films like No Safe Spaces and What Is a Woman?. Peterson has taken part in several public debates. He debated Sam Harris about religion and God. He also debated Slavoj Žižek about happiness under different economic systems.
Personal Life
Around the year 2000, Peterson started collecting Soviet-era paintings. He displays them in his home. He sees them as a reminder of how good ideas can turn into harsh control. In 2016, he became an honorary member of a First Nations family. He was given the name Alestalagie, meaning "Great Seeker."
Family Life
Peterson married Tammy Roberts in 1989. They have two children, a daughter named Mikhaila and a son named Julian. Mikhaila is named after the Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev. Peterson's sister is married to a computer expert, Jim Keller.
Mikhaila had a serious type of arthritis as a child. She needed hip and ankle surgery when she was 17. She now works as a political commentator and podcaster.
Health Challenges
In 2020, Peterson traveled to Moscow, Russia, for medical treatment. Doctors there said he had pneumonia in both lungs. He was put into a medically induced coma for eight days. He then spent four weeks in intensive care. During this time, he said he temporarily lost some control over his body.
For several months after his treatment, Peterson and his family lived in Belgrade, Serbia. In June 2020, he made his first public appearance in over a year. He was on his daughter's podcast. He said he was "back to my regular self" and felt hopeful. In August 2020, his daughter announced he had caught COVID-19 while in the hospital in Serbia. Two months later, Peterson said he had returned to Canada. He planned to start working again soon.
Honours
2022: Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal. This was given for his "valuable contribution to the province [of Alberta]."
Images for kids
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Jordan Peterson's signature
See Also
In Spanish: Jordan Peterson para niños
