On Jordan Peterson

I’ve seen a number of friends, family members, colleagues, and former students descend into the living hell of physical addiction to prescription drugs—and I wouldn’t wish it on my worst enemy. My heart goes out to Peterson and his family. This is all very sad. These revelations ought to shed light on the dangers associated with many perfectly legal, prescription medications.

But they should also highlight the degree to which Peterson’s work must be viewed, to some extent, as an attempt at self-healing (e.g., a person who goes on and on about the importance of establishing and maintaining a consistent sleep schedule whilst posting online at 3:00 a.m. on a regular basis is sort of like a closeted gay preacher who goes on and on about the evils of homosexuality). Alas, as Luther once quipped: “We preach best what we most need to learn.”

I suspect that Peterson has resonated with millions of lost souls so effectively, in part, because he was himself a little bit lost. If your life is a mess, 12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos (2018) contains a great deal of fantastic advice—I wish Peterson had taken a little more of it. But I think I understand why he wasn’t always able to do so. If wisdom is the ability to take your own advice, few of us are wise. “Physician, heal thyself” is easier said than done. As Nietzsche rightly observed: “There is a false saying: ‘How can someone who can’t save himself save others?’ Supposing I have the key to your chains, why should your lock and my lock be the same?”

You’ve saved so many, Dr. Peterson. Now it’s time to save yourself. I, for one, am rooting for you. Big time. Good luck with your recovery!