Some Thoughts on Jordan Peterson

A family member recommended watching the above video about Jordan Peterson. I watched this and have been checking out some other videos by Peterson. I do appreciate how much of his thought resonates with both classical philosophy (in the need for metaphysics and a transcendental basis for categories of thought). Also, his focus on personal responsibility is consonant with some aspects of biblical counseling. However, I have at least two major concerns:

1. In accounting for the origin of both hierarchical structures in society and structures inherent in our thinking, Peterson seems content with (roughly) Darwinistic evolutionary accounts. However, I do not believe that such theories of the origin of life (or at least the origin of human life, as evolving from lower animals) can provide a firm basis for such structures. Neither can observations based on evolutionary accounts of human origins consistently provide a foundation for moral imperatives.

2. Peterson speaks of the necessity of participation in the Logos, but he clearly views belief in Christ as optional to such participation. This is quite dangerous. Peterson is striking a chord with many who have become disillusioned with the post-modern experiment, and he may lead his listeners to trust in self (albeit self as guided by some correct philosophical statements) rather than trusting in Christ. However, Jesus taught that "no one comes to the Father except through [Him]" (John 14:6), and His apostles taught that "there is no name under Heaven given to men by which we must be saved" (Acts 4:12).

-Both of these points of concern speak to the necessity of clear, authoritative divine revelation, rather than human reasoning, to provide a firm foundation for our thoughts and lives.