Jordan B Peterson: You Need To Listen To Your Wife! We've Built A Lonely & Sexless Society! If You & Your Partner Do This, You'll Divorce!

Jordan Peterson presents the idea that as modern society becomes more individualistic, it is experiencing a weakening of shared values and community foundations, which is leading to a decline in religion and a struggle to find meaning and connection.

Modern Society Grows Individualistic, With Shared Values and Community Foundations Weakening

Individualism's Experiment Relies On Eroding Judeo-Christian Values, Leading To Drift and Isolation

Peterson suggests that the liberal experiment in individualism only thrives when grounded in a conservative foundation of Judeo-Christian values, which currently appears to be eroding. This erosion has prompted a feeling of drift and isolation within individuals.

Individualism Erodes Traditional Social Identities, Leaving Many Ungrounded and Lacking Meaning

He also states that modern liberal individualism fails to account for identity as part of a hierarchy that extends beyond oneself to multiple layers of social connections, resulting in a loss of traditional social identities. Such individualism is leaving people feeling ungrounded and lacking meaning because it overlooks the complexity of how individuals relate to wider society.

Breakdown of Community and Religious Structures Leaves Struggle For Meaning and Connection

Loss of Shared Values Fuels Nihilism, Hedonism, and Individual Over Collective Well-Being

Peterson goes on to say that the absence of shared values and the decline of community and religious ...

Steven Bartlett and Jordan Peterson delve into the depths of human psyche and the role of religion in providing meaning, purpose, and structure in life.

Belief in God or a Higher Power Tied To Psychological Need For Meaning and Purpose

Stories and Narratives in Religious Traditions Like the Bible Reveal Profound Insights Into the Human Condition and Our Deepest Yearnings

Jordan Peterson discusses the significance of moving towards a goal and identifies the "divine" as the pinnacle in the hierarchy of values, representing the ultimate good. He explores the weighty meanings in religious narratives, like the story of Abraham, referring to it as a "voice of adventure" or a call to embark upon life's quests. Peterson insists that these stories and characters epitomize humanity's relentless quest for meaning and embody principles that ensure the propagation and success of one's lineage.

Divine Belief Unifies, Providing Identity and Social Cohesion

Divine belief comes across as a unifying force, offering identity and social cohesion. Peterson emphasizes the impact of religious traditions on humanity’s understanding of psyche, society, and the natural world, hinting at a profound depth that even underlies nature itself. Religious beliefs and the divine are portrayed at the apex of the hierarchy of goodness, which helps provide people with a unified sense of purpose, bolstering societal and community cohesion.

Strong Relationships and Identity Crucial for Well-Being

Mental Health Relies More On Social Connections Than Internal Belief Coherence

Peterson touches upon mental health, asserting that it heavily relies on social connections rather than the coherence of internal beliefs. He argues that mental health stems from harmonious relationships at all levels of one's identity, from the individual to the national level. Social structures are vital for mental well-being; isolation and excessive self-focus can lead to negative emotions and suffering.

Religions Foster Sacrifice and Commitment in Relationships

The discussion ventures into the essence of religious beliefs in fostering robust relationships and identities, deemed crucial for personal well-being ...

Jordan Peterson discusses the importance of confronting challenges and making sacrifices to live a meaningful life. He expresses concern with cultural trends that prioritize pleasure over growth, highlighting the transformative power of hardship.

Humans Are Built For Challenge and Growth

Seeking Easy Gratification Through Pornography or Hedonism Leads To an Unsatisfying Life

Peterson states that people's misunderstanding of seeking pleasure, such as consuming pornography, for maximal fulfillment leads to an unsatisfactory life. He suggests that pornography and other hedonistic endeavors offer momentary gratification but come with medium to long-term costs, creating an unsatisfying existence. Peterson even suggests that overreliance on novel pleasure, such as with pornography, can negatively affect long-term commitments like marriage.

Facing Hardship, Shedding Immaturity Key To Personal Transformation

Peterson argues that facing challenges is fundamental for growth. He uses the notion of a quest and "Jacob's ladder" as metaphors for personal development and suggests that overcoming hardships and embracing maturity are essential for progress. Peterson advises starting with small, achievable steps that challenge an individual's abilities to foster growth. He criticizes avoiding struggles in favor of easy lives, implying that such avoidance can perpetuate immaturity and inhibit transformation. By surpassing one's limits and enduring suffering, argues Peterson, one can find true self-discovery and purpose.

Self-Sacrifice for Higher Goals Underpins Psychological, Social, and Spiritual Stability

Peterson and Steven Bartlett agree that the principles of sacrifice and challenge are necessary for human progression.

Christ's Passion Exemplifies Confronting and Welcoming Difficult Trials

Discussing the concept of voluntary sacrifice, Peterson reflects on the Passion of Christ as the ultimate form of embracing suffering. This narrative suggests that there is redemptive power in willingly facing trials and adversities.

Long-Term Orientation and Sacrifice For Family, Community, and Values Are Key

Peterson emphasizes the importance of long-term planning and dedication to family and community. He praises the biblical figure of Noah for balancing his personal needs with the needs of others, suggesting that this type of wisdom encourages acceptance of responsibility and supports the well-being of larger comm ...

Jordan Peterson and Steven Bartlett delve into the adverse effects of hedonism and excessive individualism on personal development, relationships, and societal values.

Hedonism and Pornography Devastate Human Relationships

Peterson notes the catastrophic impact of pornography on human relationships. He posits that pornography removes the desperation required for life's true adventure, which encompasses love, shame, guilt, and pain. He warns against taking the easy road, such as avoiding conflict, which can result in self-loathing.

Pornography Reduces Young People's Motivation for Real Romantic Relationships

Peterson argues that pornography consumption may lower men's motivation to pursue romantic relationships with women, as it can lead to a lack of motivation for self-improvement and could cause people to betray the most fundamental aspects of life, including relationships and romance. He expresses the outrage people feel towards pornography’s destructive personal impact. Concerns are raised about the potential distortion of young people's perceptions and motivations toward real romantic relationships due to pornography, as it provides effortless gratification.

Hedonistic Pursuits Offering Immediate Gratification Lack Meaning, Leaving People Unsatisfied

Peterson cautions that engaging with pornography caters to one’s weakest part and is detrimental to both personal development and relationships. He and Bartlett discuss how hedonism, in the context of pornography, affects people's ability to focus on discipline and the long term. Peterson agrees that the rise in "sexlessness" is a problem, suggesting that instant gratification can leave individuals feeling empty and contribute to societal issues. Bartlett extends the concern to impulsive actions like unhealthy eating or excessive social media use, which may provide temporary relief but are regretted later. Peterson criticizes the postmodernist approach to life focused on self-gratification, stating it defeats itself and isn't sustainable.

Excessive Individualism Undermines Traditional Social Structures and Values

Discussing the consequences of an increasingly individualistic world, Peterson suggests that excessive focus on the self can lead to feelings of isolation and undermine cooperation within a community.

Decline of Shared Narratives Fuels Isolation Through Focus on Individual Rights Over Responsibilities

Peterson criticizes the idea that individuals can create their own values, arguing that it undermines the stable, shared traditions and structures that provide societal cohesion. He insists on ...