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

Written by Leigh Martinuzzi

This is a book that will inspire and even transform its readers both in the way they perceive humanity and even in how they think and act in the chaotic order of the world. That’s a bold claim but wait until you read on some of Petersons’ viewpoints.

Peterson’s words will encourage and empower those who are open to it, providing solid building blocks of character and may even assist in taking back what is fundamentally our human nature. Broad in opinion, tradition, and scientific research Peterson has attempted to formulate 12 rules to battle the confusion and disorder of modern day society.

It is said to be an antidote to chaos. The questions I ask myself and wonder is if the modern world is truly in chaos? Are people becoming ever increasingly confused, mislead, and lost in how to live their lives? Is chaos only a representation of modern day society or is the universe essential a system of chaos? As we search for more order, seek greater understanding, I wonder, are we becoming less effective in the process?

Jordan Peterson is a Canadian Clinical Psychologist and professor of psychology at the University of Toronto. He has some strong and often controversial arguments that have attracted him great media attention. There are those people who favour his thoughts and those who criticise him. For example, he has strong arguments about the nature of gender equality, gender identity, political correctness, discrimination and free speech all which have given him much attention recently.

His first book was titled Maps of Meaning: The Architecture of Belief and is probably aligned more with his preferred area of research on personal psychology and how one’s beliefs and emotions are formed and the implications these have with regards to personality and performance.

In the 12 Rules of Life not only do you get some great ideas on what it truly takes to live better, but you also get an awesome insight into the personality and character of Mr Peterson himself which I found fascinating.

Of course, there are no hard and fast rules to life, Peterson himself suggests this. However, with his experience and wisdom, these certainly form 12 solid guides to how one should or could lead a better life. There is no right or wrong just an open display of free speech that allows the listener to engage in more relevant and meaningful conversations and thoughts.

I particularly enjoyed how Peterson draws you in guiding your through each rule, and yet without obvious intent, dragging the reader on a chaotic journey into the vast complexities of the human psyche and world order. While he veers left and right taking the reader into some uncommon and often unspoken territories he then he brings all the highlights of his arguments back to the purpose and importance of each rule.

For those interested, I have highlighted each rule below. I highly recommend this book and would encourage conversations to extend beyond the pages of this book and into our personal lives. I believe they are heartful, healthy and transformational. We must take ownership of our lives and books like this help us bring back that focus. Enjoy!

1. Stand up straight with your shoulders back
2. Treat yourself like someone you are responsible for helping
3. Make friends with people who want the best for you
4. Compare yourself to who you were yesterday, not to who someone else is today
5. Do not let your children do anything that makes you dislike them
6. Set your house in perfect order before you criticize the world
7. Pursue what is meaningful (not what is expedient)
8. Tell the truth – or, at least, don’t lie
9. Assume that the person you are listening to might know something you don’t
10. Be precise in your speech
11. Do not bother children when they are skateboarding
12. Pet a cat when you encounter one on the street

If this book sounds of interest you can purchase 12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos here.

Please leave your thoughts, comments & questions below.

Peace, passion and purpose…

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