JBP Weekly 09/28/2020 - On the Insufficiency of Ideology
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** September 28, 2020 | DR. JORDAN B. PETERSON
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** On the Insufficiency of Ideology
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** The following is from a draft of
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** Beyond Order: 12 More Rules for Life
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(Estimated Read: 3 Minutes)
It is reasonable to note that a reductionist and totalitarian exercise like that conducted by the ideologue may have some pedagogical uses, in addition to whatever light it might shed on the heretofore forbidden. It can provide its adherents with some discipline, as it is useful to learn how to organize arguments according to a principle. The requirement for logical coherency thereby demanded can aid in the development of intellectual rigor, as the arguments thus organized must exist with one another coherently and memorably. It can be an effective exercise in rhetoric—the art of persuasive and effective use of language. Ultimately, however, it’s a failure, because the world is too complex for its many manifestations to be reduced to a single cause. It becomes an exercise in post-hoc rationalization, rather than an attempt to understand, predict and control (the proof of understanding). It’s camouflage, façade and fraud. It looks like analysis. It sounds like thought. But it’s just an
algorithm: content in, machine-like rules applied, wisdom out. Technically, in fact, it’s the equivalent of a compression algorithm, and a biased one, at that. It simplifies the world, as all systems of category simplify the world, but it does so in part by simply ignoring those elements of reality that are not easily explained by the theory. This is a parody of the use of reductionism in science. Scientists have a rule: Do not multiply explanatory concepts beyond necessity. Or, as Einstein said, “explanations should be as simple as possible (but no simpler).” The test for the utility of a simple explanation is its ability, not to account for the past, and not to be merely logically coherent, but to actually predict something that will happen in the future—within, let it be noted, a specified and definable time frame. Furthermore, to simplify something properly the simplification should sample the domain it is attempting to account for in a manner that equally samples all of it, so that the
simplified version (like a low-resolution photo) does not purposefully or accidentally exclude anything of true but undesirable importance.
** How to Avoid Being Sucked into an Ideology
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Recommended Reading
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** The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich: A History of Nazi Germany ([link removed])
William L. Shirer
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[link removed]
When the bitter war was over, and before the Nazis could destroy their files, the Allied demand for unconditional surrender produced an almost hour-by-hour record of the nightmare empire built by Adolph Hitler. This record included the testimony of Nazi leaders and of concentration camp inmates, the diaries of officials, transcripts of secret conferences, army orders, private letters—all the vast paperwork behind Hitler's drive to conquer the world.
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Recent Media
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The Jordan B. Peterson Podcast
Maps of Meaning 10: Genesis and the Buddha ([link removed])
In this lecture, Dr. Peterson discusses the manner in which the fundamental symbolic archetypes (particularly those dealing with the Wise King and Tyrant) are hijacked for the purposes of propaganda. Ideologies are parasites. Their hosts are archetypes. Knowledge of the underlying archetypes can produce immunity against ideological possession.
Revisiting an Interview
Travel and Relaxation ([link removed])
A reminder that even if you only have a short amount of time to take in something special, make sure that you grasp each opportunity.
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** thinkspot: New and Trending
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** Definitions for ideology? Collective beliefs or individual beliefs? ([link removed]) - josearizaga
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** socialism, communism and the criticism of these by dr. peterson ([link removed]) - Alnoth
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** Opinion on Elon Musk? ([link removed]) - Zig
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** Should we trust scientific authorities? ([link removed]) - Wojciech K. Kulczyk
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** Thinkspot is now free and open to the public. Browse the curated JBP collection ([link removed]) of exclusive lectures and writings, annotate your favourite content, and watch for new uploads coming soon. A login is required for commenting and annotating, but not for reading and viewing.
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