Petersonian Philosophy, and other vexations

Submitted by Michael S (United States), Sep 5, 2018 at 16:39

Thank you for the compliment, Martin. Indeed, I expend some (i.e. a little, but not too much) effort in not being a philosopher. Solomon warned us against being over-wise.

"Cloud of Unknowing?" I said "clouds of philosophy" Is that what you referred to? The whole field of Philosophy is like clouds, ever-changing and always on the move. The various philosophies are named after their authors, pretty much on a 1:1 basis -- one unique philosopher corresponds with an equally unique philosophy, hence, "Freudian", "Jungian", "Kantian", etc. Your own brand is doubtless "Mallietian" That is why I spoke of "clouds".

You seem to have presented Jordan Peterson as a quiz question. Just relying on what you said about him, here are my answers:

1. "aimed at reforming Western civilization" -- definitely liberal. A conservative might "tweak" Western civilization; only a liberal would try to reform it (according to the definition presented in the OP)
2. "...to provide a RATIONAL justification..." Liberal again, I would venture: leaning on human reason... for what? Justification?? As a conservative, I don't try to justify anything: That's God's job. I just try to come up with workable solutions.
3. "(questioning) why the materialists... should root themselves in the soil of Christian ethics..."
Liberal again. I understand that you are trying to present a logical conundrum; and indeed, I (a conservative) do ever strive to be logical. That said, I would never question why someone would want to root himself in the soil of "Christian ethics"; for those ethics are deeply entwined in traditional Western thinking.

"...how the spirit is at work to preserve common sense culture in the depth of cultural destruction and philosophical illiteracy?"

I don't understand that statement. Which spirit are you referring to? The Holy Spirit? or the Spirit of the Age? The two oppose one another.

"Common sense" culture: I'm certainly for it, if the opposite is "Foolish culture". This has nothing to do with Thomas Paine's pamphlet, "Common Sense", which played a large part in mobilizing Americans against British rule. Paine went back to Britain after the war, to become a "father of British Atheism" (hence, a liberal).

You have probably noticed by now, that my actual definition of a "conservative" is, "someone who thinks like me!" I suppose there are precious few of us.

I just looked up your link about Jordan Peterson. It begins,

"Here in a guest cottage at the summit of a high hill in northern California..."

UC-Berkeley comes to mind. I never attended there, but tried to make a purchase on Telegraph Ave., right next to it. I also knew some former taxi drivers from the place, which we referred to as "escapees from Berserkeley". One of those drivers was convinced that he was God; the other two were more normal.

It goes on,

"...The emotional burden he bears as a virtual father figure to millions of wayward young men."

I was going to mention earlier, about what a heavy burden it is, to try to be a philosopher (which is probably why I am not one). Solomon said,

Qoh.1
[12] I the Preacher was king over Israel in Jerusalem.
[13] And I gave my heart to seek and search out by wisdom concerning all things that are done under heaven: this sore travail hath God given to the sons of man to be exercised therewith.
[14] I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and, behold, all is vanity and vexation of spirit.
[15] That which is crooked cannot be made straight: and that which is wanting cannot be numbered.
[16] I communed with mine own heart, saying, Lo, I am come to great estate, and have gotten more wisdom than all they that have been before me in Jerusalem: yea, my heart had great experience of wisdom and knowledge.
[17] And I gave my heart to know wisdom, and to know madness and folly: I perceived that this also is vexation of spirit.

I will stop there, lest I vex you and myself further; and will leave an analysis of Petersonian Philosophy to others.

God bless and keep you and yours :-)

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