Jordan Bernt Peterson, a renowned Canadian clinical psychologist and professor of psychology at the University of Toronto, gained widespread recognition in the late 2010s for his thought-provoking views on cultural and political issues.
Born on June 12, 1962, in Alberta, Peterson acquired a solid educational foundation by earning bachelor's degrees in political science and psychology from the University of Alberta, as well as a PhD in clinical psychology from McGill University.
Following his academic pursuits, Peterson spent time teaching and conducting research at Harvard University before returning to Canada in 1998 to join the faculty of psychology at the University of Toronto. In 1999, he published his inaugural book, Maps of Meaning: The Architecture of Belief, which served as the foundation for many of his subsequent lectures.
This comprehensive work, which seamlessly integrated information from psychology, mythology, religion, literature, philosophy, and neuroscience, analyzed systems of belief and meaning. Peterson's unique approach and insights garnered widespread attention and recognition.
In 2016, Peterson released a series of YouTube videos criticizing the Act to amend the Canadian Human Rights Act and the Criminal Code (Bill C-16),which aimed to introduce "gender identity and expression" as a prohibited grounds of discrimination. He argued that the bill would coerce individuals into using certain gender pronouns, thereby infringing upon their freedom of speech.
This stance sparked a heated debate, with Peterson receiving both praise and criticism from the media and the public. The controversy surrounding Bill C-16 ultimately contributed to Peterson's growing popularity, as his lectures, debates, and online content began to attract millions of views.
By 2018, Peterson had put his clinical practice and teaching duties on hold to focus on his writing and public speaking. He published his second book, 12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos, which became a bestseller in several countries after being promoted with a global book tour.
