Jordan B. Peterson
Dr. Jordan B. Peterson is a clinical psychologist, professor emeritus of psychology at the University of Toronto, and one of the world's most influential public intellectuals. His work exploring the psychology of meaning, mythology, and human behavior has reached hundreds of millions through his books, lectures, and online content, sparking global conversations about personal responsibility, psychological health, and the foundations of Western civilization.
Born June 12, 1962, and raised in the harsh landscapes of Northern Alberta, Peterson's early life included stints as a dishwasher, gas jockey, bartender, beekeeper, and railway worker—experiences that grounded his later academic pursuits in practical wisdom. He earned bachelor's degrees in political science and psychology from the University of Alberta, followed by a Ph.D. in clinical psychology from McGill University in 1991. His doctoral research examined aggression arising from substance abuse and the psychology of belief systems.
From 1993 to 1998, Peterson taught at Harvard University as an assistant professor, where his lectures developed what former students described as "something akin to a cult following." Students reportedly cried on the last day of class, and he was nominated for the prestigious Levinson Teaching Prize. In 1998, he returned to Canada as a professor at the University of Toronto, where he was nominated for five consecutive years as one of Ontario's Best University Lecturers and became one of only three professors rated as "life changing" in the university's underground student handbook.
Peterson's first book, Maps of Meaning: The Architecture of Belief (1999), took thirteen years to complete and revolutionized the psychology of religion by synthesizing neuroscience, psychology, mythology, and philosophy to explain how humans construct meaning. This academic foundation laid the groundwork for his later bestsellers. In 2016, his online lectures went viral, catapulting him to unprecedented international prominence. His YouTube channel now has over 7.5 million subscribers with more than 650 million views, while content derived from his work has been viewed over a billion times.
12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos (2018) became a global phenomenon, selling over 10 million copies worldwide and topping bestseller lists in the US, Canada, UK, and numerous other countries. The book distills complex psychological and philosophical concepts into practical life advice, drawing on clinical experience, scientific research, and mythological wisdom. Its sequel, Beyond Order: 12 More Rules for Life (2021), explores the balance between order and chaos, offering strategies for finding meaning in an ever-transforming world while warning against the dangers of excessive security and rigid ideology.
Beyond his writing, Peterson has developed innovative programs including the Self Authoring Suite, which helps individuals map their past, present, and future to improve academic performance and life outcomes. Used by over 10,000 students, the program has been shown to decrease dropout rates by 25% and increase GPAs by 20%. With his children, he has launched ventures including the writing app Essay and Peterson Academy, an online university offering accessible education. His podcast regularly tops education charts, featuring conversations with leading intellectuals, scientists, and cultural figures.
Peterson's influence extends far beyond academia. He has counseled executives at major law firms, worked with the UN Secretary General's High Level Panel on Global Sustainability, and penned the foreword for the 50th anniversary edition of Solzhenitsyn's The Gulag Archipelago. His sold-out world tours have reached over 500,000 people, making them among the most attended book tours ever mounted. Currently working on his latest book We Who Wrestle with God, Peterson continues to challenge audiences to confront life's fundamental questions with courage, truthfulness, and a commitment to meaningful action.
