Jordan Peterson and the Second Religiousness: Explaining the Jordan Peterson Phenomenon

Jordan Peterson, a modern phenomenon with legions of fans and an equally substantial number of detractors, has appeared as if from nowhere and achieved such polarizing prominence that he is clearly riding the cultural wave. It is vital to understand the cultural circumstances underlying the rise to fame of such people. This book is neither for nor against Peterson, although it advances a degree of critical appraisal. His precise views are not the central subject of this book. Nor are his biographical details. Instead, this book concerns the historical forces that are now at play, which, for the conservative wing of the political spectrum, Peterson crystallizes perhaps better than anyone else, with the single exception of Donald Trump. Where Trump is an active executive agent of the spirit of the times – actually taking critical decisions and directly shaping events – Peterson may be viewed in more passive terms as providing an intellectual justification for Trump and his base.