Jordan Bernt Peterson (born 12 June 1962) is a Canadian psychologist, author, and media commentator. He received widespread attention in the late 2010s for his views on cultural and political issues. Often described as conservative, Peterson self-identifies as a classical liberal and traditionalist.
Born and raised in Alberta, he graduated from the University of Alberta with undergraduate degrees in political science and psychology and earned his PhD in clinical psychology from McGill University. After researching and teaching at Harvard University, he returned to Canada in 1998 and became a professor of psychology at the University of Toronto. In 1999, he published his first book, Maps of Meaning: The Architecture of Belief, which became the basis for many of his subsequent lectures. The book combined psychology, mythology, religion, literature, philosophy and neuroscience to analyze systems of belief and meaning.
In 2016, Peterson released a series of videos on YouTube criticizing a proposed federal law, Bill C-16, that would prohibit discrimination against gender identity and expression. Peterson argued that the bill would make the use of certain gender pronouns compelled speech, and related this argument to a general critique of "political correctness" and identity politics, receiving significant media coverage and attracting both support and criticism. The bill became law in 2017. Peterson has been widely criticized by climate scientists for denying the scientific consensus on climate change and giving a platform to climate-change deniers.
In 2018, he paused both his clinical practice and teaching duties and published his second book, 12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos. Promoted with a world tour, it became a bestseller in several countries. In 2019 and 2020, Peterson suffered health issues related to benzodiazepine dependence. In 2021, he published his third book, Beyond Order: 12 More Rules for Life, resigned from the University of Toronto, and returned to podcasting. In 2022, Peterson became chancellor of the newly launched Ralston College, a private, unaccredited, liberal arts college in Savannah, Georgia, United States. In 2025, Peterson suffered chronic inflammatory response syndrome, causing his hospitalization for five months. Affected by health problems since attaining prominence, Peterson has been under assisted care at his residence and remained out of public life since June 2025. His various lectures and conversations, available mainly on YouTube and podcasts, have garnered millions of views.
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