The reviewer finds Jordan B. Peterson's '12 Rules for Life' to be a profound and meaningful book that addresses the struggles of young men in today's society. The book is not a typical self-help guide but rather a philosophical exploration of suffering and how to deal with it. Peterson's insights are grounded in hard truths and personal experiences, making the book both thought-provoking and practical.
Jordan B. Peterson's '12 Rules for Life' is a book that has resonated with many, especially young men who feel adrift in today's world. The reviewer notes that Peterson addresses the disillusionment, unemployment, and lack of vision that many young adults face. The book is not a typical self-help guide but rather a philosophical exploration of suffering and how to deal with it. Peterson's insights are grounded in hard truths and personal experiences, making the book both thought-provoking and practical. The reviewer appreciates Peterson's ability to meditate on deep truths and his use of personal stories and historical examples to illustrate his points. The book is seen as a valuable resource for those seeking meaning and direction in their lives.
Quick quotes
No one had answered those questions, as far as I could tell. Like Descartes, I was plagued with doubt. I searched for one thing — anything — I could regard as indisputable. I wanted a rock upon which to build my house. It was doubt that led me to it.
What can I not doubt? The reality of suffering. It brooks no arguments. Nihilists cannot undermine it with skepticism. Totalitarians cannot banish it. Cynics cannot escape from its reality. Suffering is real, and the artful infliction of suffering on another, for its own sake, is wrong. That became the cornerstone of my belief.
If you pay attention to what you do and say, you can learn to feel a state of internal division and weakness when you are misbehaving and misspeaking. It’s an embodied sensation, not a thought.