“12 Rules for Life” is a self-help book written by Jordan Peterson, a Canadian clinical psychologist and professor of psychology at the University of Toronto. The book was first published in 2018, and it quickly became a best-seller, with millions of copies sold worldwide.
Plot Summary
The book is divided into twelve chapters, each of which presents a rule for living a meaningful and fulfilling life. Each chapter begins with a personal anecdote or story, which Peterson uses to illustrate the importance of the rule. He then goes on to explain the rule in detail, using examples from philosophy, psychology, and literature.
The twelve rules are as follows:
- Stand up straight with your shoulders back
- Treat yourself like someone you are responsible for helping
- Make friends with people who want the best for you
- Compare yourself to who you were yesterday, not to who someone else is today
- Do not let your children do anything that makes you dislike them
- Set your house in perfect order before you criticize the world
- Pursue what is meaningful (not what is expedient)
- Tell the truth – or at least, don’t lie
- Assume that the person you are listening to might know something you don’t
- Be precise in your speech
- Do not bother children when they are skateboarding
- Pet a cat when you encounter one on the street
12 Rules for Life Characters
The book is not a work of fiction, so there are no characters as such. However, Peterson uses examples from real life, as well as from literature and mythology, to illustrate his points. These examples include biblical stories, works by writers such as Dostoevsky and Nietzsche, and contemporary events such as the Columbine High School massacre.
12 Rules for Life Themes
The central theme of the book is the importance of taking personal responsibility for one’s life. Peterson argues that many of the problems facing modern society, such as inequality, nihilism, and political extremism, can be traced back to a lack of personal responsibility. He suggests that people should focus on improving themselves before trying to change the world.
Other themes in the book include the importance of honesty, the value of tradition, the dangers of ideology, and the need for balance in life. Peterson is critical of postmodernism, which he sees as a threat to traditional values and a force for moral relativism.
Writing Style
Peterson’s writing style is clear and straightforward, with a mix of personal anecdotes, philosophical arguments, and scientific research. He uses a lot of metaphors and analogies to make complex ideas more accessible. The book is written in a conversational tone, and Peterson frequently addresses the reader directly, using the second-person point of view.
Conclusion
“12 Rules for Life” is a thought-provoking and challenging book that encourages readers to take responsibility for their lives and to strive for self-improvement. While some of Peterson’s ideas may be controversial, his arguments are well-reasoned and backed up by a wealth of research and personal experience. The book has been criticized by some for promoting traditional gender roles and for its critique of postmodernism, but it has also been praised for its message of personal responsibility and its accessible writing style.