57 pages 1 hour read

Jordan B. Peterson

Maps of Meaning

Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 1999

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Essay Topics

1.

According to Peterson, the world changed after the advent of empirical thinkers like Descartes, Bacon, and Newton. What do you think he means by this? To what extent does the author imply that science cannot co-exist with religion?

2.

“Ideology divided the world up simplistically into those who thought and acted properly, and those who did not” (xiv). In this statement, Peterson critiques ideologies as being cliquish and passing off partial knowledge as the only truth. Analyze his statement while exploring the meaning of ideology. Argue for or against the position, drawing on the book and online research.

3.

Peterson states that “the dream of Judeo-Christianity provided motive power for the civilization of the West” (420), implying that the Judeo-Christian tradition has been central in Western art, culture, philosophy, and more. Argue for or against his statement, using examples from your research.