Activity

jakelafort posted an update 6 years, 8 months ago

Simon i first became aware of Peterson on a S. Harris podcast. He made that podcast a waste of time. Subsequent investigation into his thinking leads me to believe he is utterly lacking in substance. PIG PILE ON PETERSON!
- Simon Paynton replied 6 years, 8 months ago
  As I remember, there was a difference of opinion over what “true” means. Harris said it’s “accurate”, Peterson maintained that it’s “useful”.
  - jakelafort replied 6 years, 8 months ago
    I think that was a big part of it. And Goebbels would have likely agreed with Peterson. But we all know that truth is not aesthetic.
  - Simon Paynton replied 6 years, 8 months ago
    I think Peterson’s was a psychologist’s, clinical point of view. After all, he’s all about improving life – unlike Goebbels.
    - jakelafort replied 6 years, 8 months ago
      
      Tampering with the notion of truth in the way Peterson is suggesting is not a way to improve life. It is a way of enabling those in power to abuse their power. It is a way to insure that the weakest and most vulnerable are exploited.
    - Simon Paynton replied 6 years, 8 months ago
      
      How so? “Useful” must be a subset of “accurate”, so there’s no conflict.
      
      jakelafort replied 6 years, 8 months ago
      
      It is unfair to reduce Peterson’s ideas about truth to a simple juxtaposition of accurate v. useful. But if we assume it is as limited as aforementioned then the “dictator” determines what truth is. In so doing truth serves the dictator. Think for instance Trump. He has normalized lying in a way that is always self-serving. The members of his cult accept his assertions wholesale. Thus his power is augmented at the expense of the political institution and those who are marginalized. I will refrain from expanding.
      
      A few thoughts. Peterson is quick to criticize the left. His criticisms are not entirely without merit. On the other hand he is blind to his own adoption of Christianity as an ideology. In fact it is damn near impossible to be a good thinker when one begins one’s world view by positing the reality of Christianity. Truth is already sacrificed. The world view that results is one in which facts and fiction have to be reconciled with what is false.
      
      I am a proponent of clarity. Philosophers or thinkers who resort to metaphors/archetypes/parables to express their fundamental ideas are second rate.
      
      Simon Paynton replied 6 years, 8 months ago
      
      Peterson says here: https://www.jordanbpeterson.com/transcripts/transliminal/
      “The concept of logos… it’s the power of truthful speech to transform reality in a positive direction.”
      The whole stories thing is horses for courses. What else is a dream, but a story about your life? I admit his philosophy or whatever is not my cup of tea, because it seems quite vague, and I prefer crystalline clarity, like you. But his concept of the logos is like a combination of truth and compassion, which I buy into.