Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.37 AVERAGE
3.37 AVERAGE
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
challenging
slow-paced
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexism, Transphobia
I have a friend, who I like and respect very much, who said his life was changed by reading this book. What I'd heard of Dr. Jordan Peterson through YouTube had been negative -- things about "enforced monogamy" and "postmodern neo-Marxism," all from the alt-right and incel communities. I value doing the research yourself before coming to any conclusions, so I decided to wholeheartedly dive in headfirst.
Dr. Peterson is a very effective communicator -- it's difficult (particularly in the academic sphere, prone to jargon-filled and inaccessible language) to take the works of Dostoevsky and Nietzsche, as well as Biblical verses, and make them accessible to teenagers. The pretense is stripped away and he delivers the information with clarity in language (though he does tend to take languid strolls through his anecdotes; Dr. Peterson is not a man of brevity), which I very much respect. The Christian theology is very interesting, as an atheist; he shares the viewpoint of the Bible that people have been suffering for thousands of years, and have subsequently compiled this book full of moral lessons and ways to deal with said suffering that people can use as a framework to our chaotic existence. His advice on maintaining healthy and mutually beneficial relationships and childrearing are extremely good and I have learned a lot! I would recommend these segments to everyone. I really do think my life can be improved having read these sections.
There is a lot of pop science that doesn't hold against scrutiny here, but work if you take them as loose metaphors. For example, the first chapter talks about the hierarchical social structure of lobsters based on dominance and resource acquisition, and that we as humans emulate this social structure. Except that humans evolved when we started cooperating on a large scale and forming societies based around agriculture -- we did not evolve from constant in-fighting, and we don't have alpha males. Humans don't exist in dominance hierarchies, except in dumb ways, like most of us having a boss -- we as a species rely on cooperation. Furthermore suggesting that people afflicted with anxiety and depression (referring to his bit about dopamine and serotonin working on lobsters, and how Loser Lobsters differ neurochemically as well as structurally than Winner Lobsters) are Loser Lobsters is sad and troubling, particularly from a psychiatrist. Though I do wholeheartedly agree with the (again, taking it as a loose metaphor) idea that everybody should go through life confidently and with pride, unafraid to take up space.
His extremely troubling politics take center stage in chapters like "Do Not Bother Children while they are Skateboarding," where he says things that are strange, untrue, paranoid, and dangerous: the patriarchy has never existed -- men have always been in charge because they are "more competent;" women don't go into STEM programs because they're not logical; men are currently being persecuted by society and universities; indulging feminists will lead to a slippery slope into Maoist/Marxist hell; the role of women is to birth sons that will change the world; women being highly educated is actually detrimental to women because they "only compete for the top males" and "they'll be happier with a family," which they apparently can't have while they're working; women being so "highly represented in universities" (newsflash: we comprise more than half the population, so us making up half the population of universities mathematically makes sense) "actually limits the number of eligible males for them," etc. It really just seems antithetical to his ethos espoused in chapter 1 that he's being so coddling towards underperforming males and so damning towards overperforming females. You could infer the sexism from his subtitle: "An Antidote to Chaos," when he started talking about yin and yang -- the female chaos, and the male order. Though again, as a loose metaphor excluding the apparent male/female dichotomy, the yin/yang discussion works.
There's a lot in here that is really valuable information about life and relationships from a smart, accomplished doctor. There's also a lot here that I feel is a whole lot of "feminism is mean to straight white males so it's literally Hitler."
Edit: that friend turned out to be a real piece of shit. I’m vindicated and this book is terrible.
Dr. Peterson is a very effective communicator -- it's difficult (particularly in the academic sphere, prone to jargon-filled and inaccessible language) to take the works of Dostoevsky and Nietzsche, as well as Biblical verses, and make them accessible to teenagers. The pretense is stripped away and he delivers the information with clarity in language (though he does tend to take languid strolls through his anecdotes; Dr. Peterson is not a man of brevity), which I very much respect. The Christian theology is very interesting, as an atheist; he shares the viewpoint of the Bible that people have been suffering for thousands of years, and have subsequently compiled this book full of moral lessons and ways to deal with said suffering that people can use as a framework to our chaotic existence. His advice on maintaining healthy and mutually beneficial relationships and childrearing are extremely good and I have learned a lot! I would recommend these segments to everyone. I really do think my life can be improved having read these sections.
There is a lot of pop science that doesn't hold against scrutiny here, but work if you take them as loose metaphors. For example, the first chapter talks about the hierarchical social structure of lobsters based on dominance and resource acquisition, and that we as humans emulate this social structure. Except that humans evolved when we started cooperating on a large scale and forming societies based around agriculture -- we did not evolve from constant in-fighting, and we don't have alpha males. Humans don't exist in dominance hierarchies, except in dumb ways, like most of us having a boss -- we as a species rely on cooperation. Furthermore suggesting that people afflicted with anxiety and depression (referring to his bit about dopamine and serotonin working on lobsters, and how Loser Lobsters differ neurochemically as well as structurally than Winner Lobsters) are Loser Lobsters is sad and troubling, particularly from a psychiatrist. Though I do wholeheartedly agree with the (again, taking it as a loose metaphor) idea that everybody should go through life confidently and with pride, unafraid to take up space.
His extremely troubling politics take center stage in chapters like "Do Not Bother Children while they are Skateboarding," where he says things that are strange, untrue, paranoid, and dangerous: the patriarchy has never existed -- men have always been in charge because they are "more competent;" women don't go into STEM programs because they're not logical; men are currently being persecuted by society and universities; indulging feminists will lead to a slippery slope into Maoist/Marxist hell; the role of women is to birth sons that will change the world; women being highly educated is actually detrimental to women because they "only compete for the top males" and "they'll be happier with a family," which they apparently can't have while they're working; women being so "highly represented in universities" (newsflash: we comprise more than half the population, so us making up half the population of universities mathematically makes sense) "actually limits the number of eligible males for them," etc. It really just seems antithetical to his ethos espoused in chapter 1 that he's being so coddling towards underperforming males and so damning towards overperforming females. You could infer the sexism from his subtitle: "An Antidote to Chaos," when he started talking about yin and yang -- the female chaos, and the male order. Though again, as a loose metaphor excluding the apparent male/female dichotomy, the yin/yang discussion works.
There's a lot in here that is really valuable information about life and relationships from a smart, accomplished doctor. There's also a lot here that I feel is a whole lot of "feminism is mean to straight white males so it's literally Hitler."
Edit: that friend turned out to be a real piece of shit. I’m vindicated and this book is terrible.
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos by Jordan B. Peterson is an intellectually rich and profoundly inspiring book that has earned its place as a modern classic. The work combines psychology, philosophy, mythology, and practical advice to offer a blueprint for living meaningfully in a chaotic world.
As a reader who loved the book, I give it a five-star rating, even though not every rule resonated with me. Peterson’s ability to distill complex ideas into actionable principles, delivered with conviction and clarity, makes this a must-read for anyone seeking purpose and order. The 12 rules included:
The Twelve Rules
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 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
Why 12 Rules for Life Resonates
Peterson’s book is a unique blend of intellectual rigor and heartfelt guidance, drawing from his background as a clinical psychologist, his study of mythology, and his engagement with contemporary cultural issues. The rules themselves are deceptively simple, but each chapter unpacks them with depth, weaving together evolutionary biology, biblical narratives, literary references (from Dostoevsky to Jung), and personal anecdotes.
What sets the book apart is its central thesis: taking responsibility for your life, no matter how difficult, is the path to meaning in a world fraught with suffering and chaos. And that is something I've already learned to apply.
In some cases, I've made the case before too. For example, I once wrote that if you want to change the world, start by making your bed. And here is Peterson saying the same thing. “Set your house in perfect order before you criticize the world” was a wake-up call, forcing those who don't to confront their tendency to blame external circumstances for personal frustrations.
the book isn’t without critics. Some argue Peterson’s views, particularly on gender and societal hierarchy, are polarizing or overly traditional. Others find his reliance on religious narratives alienating. As someone who loved the book, I found these elements less intrusive, as Peterson frames them as archetypes rather than dogma. In some cases, it might even be needed to be said.
12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos is a rare book that combines the weight of philosophical inquiry with the practicality of self-help, delivered with a sincerity that’s hard to resist. Personally, I found it intriguing because there is plenty of material to dig down into long after the book is finished.
As a reader who loved the book, I give it a five-star rating, even though not every rule resonated with me. Peterson’s ability to distill complex ideas into actionable principles, delivered with conviction and clarity, makes this a must-read for anyone seeking purpose and order. The 12 rules included:
The Twelve Rules
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 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
Why 12 Rules for Life Resonates
Peterson’s book is a unique blend of intellectual rigor and heartfelt guidance, drawing from his background as a clinical psychologist, his study of mythology, and his engagement with contemporary cultural issues. The rules themselves are deceptively simple, but each chapter unpacks them with depth, weaving together evolutionary biology, biblical narratives, literary references (from Dostoevsky to Jung), and personal anecdotes.
What sets the book apart is its central thesis: taking responsibility for your life, no matter how difficult, is the path to meaning in a world fraught with suffering and chaos. And that is something I've already learned to apply.
In some cases, I've made the case before too. For example, I once wrote that if you want to change the world, start by making your bed. And here is Peterson saying the same thing. “Set your house in perfect order before you criticize the world” was a wake-up call, forcing those who don't to confront their tendency to blame external circumstances for personal frustrations.
the book isn’t without critics. Some argue Peterson’s views, particularly on gender and societal hierarchy, are polarizing or overly traditional. Others find his reliance on religious narratives alienating. As someone who loved the book, I found these elements less intrusive, as Peterson frames them as archetypes rather than dogma. In some cases, it might even be needed to be said.
12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos is a rare book that combines the weight of philosophical inquiry with the practicality of self-help, delivered with a sincerity that’s hard to resist. Personally, I found it intriguing because there is plenty of material to dig down into long after the book is finished.
✨Well who doesn’t like some basic rules to get along in a chaotic world like hours. But in contrast to many books with somewhat similar titles that claim to have the solution to become the master of chaos, Jordan B. Peterson brings you back to earth.
✨ In his book he is brutally honest and realistic about our world and humanity, which is probably also why he is so controversial. He doesn’t polish his opinion to suit other (at least not in the book) and at times one feels like a kid being scolded by a parent for all the wrong choices we made and now whining about.
✨ Interestingly, the author also brought spirituality to the table, which was something I was not expecting from a book like this. It’s not an easy read using complex language at times and discussing difficult questions such as “What is the meaning of life?” and “Why are we here?” but I found it quite an enjoyable and priceless read.
O Mr. Peterson é um dos maiores expoentes da intelectualidade contemporânea, e há MUITO tempo eu queria ter algum contato com a obra dele.
12 Regras é um livro que será comprado em sua edição física e relido (talvez mais de uma vez). Minha decepção é que esse é mais um daqueles livros que poderiam ter a metade do tamanho que têm.
12 Regras é um livro que será comprado em sua edição física e relido (talvez mais de uma vez). Minha decepção é que esse é mais um daqueles livros que poderiam ter a metade do tamanho que têm.
challenging
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
I did not enjoy this at all. I think it took me over a year to plug away at it. It's so wordy, it seems to ramble on and go on tangents that have very little to do with the rule. A good tidbit in there occasionally but I just couldn't relate to the way he writes/explains his reasoning. This should have been the book I decided to never finish.
Dr. Peterson is a really good writer and his book are always a great read. His knowledge of various subjects is insane.
12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos is a "self-help" book, which analyses peoples' lives from psychological, biological and sociological standpoint. Dr. Peterson heavily criticises our modern, as he called it, neomarxist culture, which he deems to be harmful and anti-science. How ever you may feel about his stance, he argues his point really damn well and makes you reconsider your own positions.
Definitely worth a read!
12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos is a "self-help" book, which analyses peoples' lives from psychological, biological and sociological standpoint. Dr. Peterson heavily criticises our modern, as he called it, neomarxist culture, which he deems to be harmful and anti-science. How ever you may feel about his stance, he argues his point really damn well and makes you reconsider your own positions.
Definitely worth a read!
Que quede claro:
Este es el mejor libro que he leído en toda mi vida y por mucho.
Ojalá y lo puedas leer tu también.
Este es el mejor libro que he leído en toda mi vida y por mucho.
Ojalá y lo puedas leer tu también.