Beyond Order: 12 More Rules for Life

How do the rules form a coherent whole in service to a common theme? Are there any that conflict with one another? Are there any that fall outside the general thematic framework?

How exactly do order and chaos balance one another in Peterson’s understanding? If one or the other is primary, how is the other still important?

Peterson makes frequent references to the Harry Potter books and movies, especially in the early chapters. What particular value do these stories seem to have for the message he is trying to convey?

Peterson advises quitting a job that involves moral compromises, especially concerning issues of “political correctness.” What conflicting values must be weighed in making such a decision? What does it reveal about Peterson’s worldview that he uses “political correctness” as a key example of moral compromise?

Why does resentment play such a central role in Peterson’s narrative? What, in his view, makes resentment so uniquely damaging to the individual psyche?

Peterson is frequently accused of being more politically conservative than he publicly admits. Do you see evidence of this in the book? To what degree does the book reveal his political views, and how do those views impact his intended teaching?

Evaluate Peterson’s advice for married couples. Are there aspects which might be applicable to other forms of partnership? On what values does he base his claim that marriage, and marriage alone, constitutes the highest form of partnership?

What part do the stories of Peterson’s clients play in the narrative? How do their stories illustrate key themes, and do you see any recurring patterns across the diverse examples he cites?