Jordan Peterson: How to Deal with Suffering, Tragedy and Illness

Summary

The speaker delves into the human capacity for resilience and transformation, emphasizing that our inherent goodness and potential for positive change outweigh the darkness within. Drawing on personal experiences and Carl Jung's philosophy, the talk highlights the importance of confronting and embracing the darkness to discover inner light. It concludes with a call to recognize our intrinsic value, pursue meaningful endeavors, and contribute to societal betterment.

Takeaways

• 🌑 The human potential for good is greater than the forces of destruction and darkness within us.
• 🔍 Carl Jung's alchemical motif 'qualis inventor' suggests that what we most desire to be found is often where we least expect to look.
• 💡 Facing darkness head-on can reveal inner strength and light that is more powerful than the darkness itself.
• 👴 The speaker's father-in-law's story exemplifies resilience and the ability to find light amidst personal tragedy.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 The family's unity and respect for their father grew stronger through the shared experience of coping with their mother's illness.
• 💔 The pain of watching a loved one suffer from dementia is a profound and challenging experience.
• 🏠 The importance of creating a supportive environment for those dealing with illness, as demonstrated by the family's efforts.
• 🕊️ Even in the face of loss, new relationships and connections can form, bringing a sense of renewal.
• 🤝 The collective strength of a family can transform a tragic event into a source of unity and respect.
• 🚀 The individual's intrinsic value and capacity for consciousness are the cornerstones of societal progress.
• 🔑 Recognizing and living out our intrinsic value is essential for personal growth and societal contribution.

Q & A

What is the main theme of the transcript?

The main theme of the transcript is the exploration of human nature, the potential for good within us, and the ability to overcome darkness and adversity.

What does the speaker suggest about human nature in relation to horror and malevolence?

The speaker suggests that despite the presence of horror and malevolence in the world and within ourselves, there is a greater potential for courage, truth, and the ability to set things right.

What is the significance of the alchemical motif 'qualis inventor' mentioned by Carl Jung?

The alchemical motif 'qualis inventor' signifies that what you most want to be found will be found where you least want to look, implying that one's true self or potential is often discovered in confronting the darkest parts of oneself.

How does the speaker describe the process of facing darkness?

The speaker describes the process of facing darkness as a courageous act that involves standing up straight, fully confronting the darkness, and discovering the brightest light within oneself.

What is the role of cynicism, bitterness, and resentment in the speaker's narrative?

Cynicism, bitterness, and resentment are portrayed as barriers that prevent individuals from bringing their full potential to the table and from addressing the darker aspects of life effectively.

Can you provide an example from the transcript of someone overcoming adversity?

The speaker shares the story of his father-in-law, who took care of his wife with dementia for 15 years, demonstrating resilience, love, and strength in the face of adversity.

What impact did the father-in-law's experience have on his family?

The father-in-law's experience brought the family closer together, increased their respect for him, and showed them how to cope with difficult situations nobly and honorably.

How does the speaker relate the story of his father-in-law to the broader message of the transcript?

The speaker uses the story of his father-in-law to illustrate the potential for light and goodness even in the face of great darkness and suffering, reinforcing the transcript's broader message about human potential.

What advice does the speaker give regarding personal growth and self-improvement?

The speaker advises to drop foolish pursuits, focus on worthwhile endeavors, surround oneself with supportive people, and strive for personal growth and truth-telling.

What is the speaker's view on the purpose of life?

The speaker suggests that the purpose of life is not merely to be happy but to solve problems, pursue meaningful endeavors, and contribute positively to the world.

How does the speaker define the 'image of God' in the context of the transcript?

The speaker defines the 'image of God' as the intrinsic value and capacity of humans to confront potential and turn it into something good, highlighting our responsibility and individuality.

Outlines

00:00

🌟 Facing Darkness to Find Inner Light

The speaker begins by discussing the inherent potential within humans to overcome darkness and destruction. They reference Carl Jung's alchemical motif, emphasizing that one's true nature is revealed in the face of adversity. The speaker shares a personal story about their father-in-law, who despite a life filled with challenges, including caring for his wife with dementia, maintained his strength and dignity. This story serves as an example of how confronting and engaging with life's hardships can lead to personal growth and the discovery of one's true capabilities.

05:00

💔 Coping with Loss and Finding New Beginnings

In this paragraph, the speaker continues the narrative of their father-in-law, detailing how the family came together in the face of their mother's death. They highlight the importance of family unity and respect, which grew stronger after the mother's passing. The father-in-law later finds companionship with another woman in the same nursing home, demonstrating resilience and the human capacity to find light even after profound loss. The speaker concludes by urging individuals to drop unproductive behaviors, focus on self-improvement, and surround themselves with supportive people. They emphasize the importance of personal responsibility and the pursuit of meaningful goals as a cornerstone of societal values.

Keywords

💡Horror

Horror in this context refers to the fear and dread that can be associated with the darker aspects of human nature and life's challenges. It is used to contrast with the potential for courage and truth within individuals. The script mentions that even though human nature may be bent on self-destruction, there is a greater power within us to overcome these horrors, as seen in the speaker's father-in-law's ability to face the tragic illness of his wife.

💡Courage

Courage is the ability to confront fear, pain, or adversity with bravery. In the video, courage is depicted as a powerful force that can rise within individuals to set things right. The speaker admires his father-in-law for his courage in taking care of his wife through her illness, which is an example of the courage needed to face life's darkest moments.

💡Truth

Truth, in this context, is the state or quality of being in accordance with fact or reality. The video emphasizes the importance of facing the truth about ourselves and our circumstances, even when it is uncomfortable. The speaker suggests that by confronting the truth, we can discover our capacity for change and improvement.

💡Carl Jung

Carl Jung was a Swiss psychiatrist and psychoanalyst who founded analytical psychology. The video references a saying by Jung, 'qualis invenit, talis inventus,' which means 'the seeker finds what the seeker is looking for.' This concept is used to illustrate the idea that by looking within ourselves, even in the darkest parts, we can find the light and strength to overcome challenges.

💡Alchemical Motif

The alchemical motif mentioned in the script refers to a concept from alchemy, an ancient philosophical and protoscientific tradition, that what you most want to find will be found where you least expect to look. This motif is used to suggest that by exploring the depths of our being, we can uncover hidden strengths and virtues.

💡Dementia

Dementia is a general term for a decline in cognitive ability severe enough to interfere with daily life. The script discusses the father-in-law's experience with his wife's dementia, which serves as a powerful example of the challenges that can be faced with courage and love.

💡Resilience

Resilience is the capacity to recover quickly from difficulties or to withstand hardships. The video highlights the resilience of the father-in-law in caring for his wife through her illness, showing that even in the face of great adversity, individuals can find the strength to endure and adapt.

💡Intrinsic Value

Intrinsic value refers to the inherent worth or value of something, independent of its use or benefit to others. The speaker argues that each person has intrinsic value, which is a foundational belief in the Western concept of the individual as the cornerstone of the state. This value is seen as a source of strength and potential for good.

💡Consciousness

Consciousness is the state of being aware of and able to think and perceive one's surroundings, thoughts, and emotions. The script discusses the capacity for consciousness as a defining human characteristic that allows us to confront potential and transform it into something meaningful and good.

💡Cynicism

Cynicism is a state of不相信 or distrust that lends itself to negative interpretations. The video warns against the pitfalls of cynicism, suggesting that it can prevent individuals from realizing their full potential and contributing positively to the world.

💡Purpose

Purpose refers to the reason for which something exists or is done, often implying a sense of meaningful intention or goal. The speaker suggests that the purpose of life is not merely to be happy but to solve problems and contribute meaningfully to the world, which can lead to a deeper sense of fulfillment.

Highlights

The human nature's potential for good is more powerful than the inherent horror and destruction.

Courage, truth, ability, skill, and willingness to set things right are within us, even in the face of darkness.

Carl Jung's alchemical motif 'Stir qualis inventor' suggests that what you seek is found where you least expect it.

Facing darkness fully can reveal the brightest light within us.

Cynicism, bitterness, and willful blindness can prevent us from realizing our full potential.

The importance of bringing your 'A game' to life's challenges to combat negativity.

The story of the speaker's father-in-law caring for his wife with dementia, demonstrating resilience and love.

The transformative power of family unity and respect in the face of a loved one's illness and death.

The speaker's admiration for people who face hardships with dignity and without complaint.

The idea that tragedy can bring a family closer together, fostering respect and unity.

The father-in-law's new relationship after his wife's death, showing that life can offer new beginnings.

The importance of pursuing meaningful goals and telling the truth as part of personal growth.

The concept of intrinsic value as the foundation of our state and societal structure.

The individual as the cornerstone of the state, emphasizing personal responsibility and action.

The idea that our purpose in life might be to solve problems rather than merely seek happiness.

The power of confronting potential catastrophes with consciousness and turning them into something good.

The speaker's belief in the capacity of each person for remarkable things, given the right mindset and actions.

The value of self-reflection and understanding one's role in the world to make a positive impact.

Transcripts

there was there's more to us than there

is to the horror

his nature is bent on our destruction

bad as culture is

tyrannical and bloody back as far as you

can look as malevolent

as you are in in the darkest part of

your heart

and that's plenty malevolent the the the

possibility that's within you that can

well up

the courage and the truth and the

ability and the skill and

and the and the willingness to set

things right if you are willing to set

them right

is more powerful than all of that and so

it's so interesting it was

it was proof for me of an old saying i

i read from carl jung it's an alchemical

motif in stir qualis inventor which is

what you most want to be found will be

found where you least want to look

essentially and it's so interesting

because it means that

if you're willing to turn around and to

stand up stay and stand up straight

and face the darkness like fully what

you discover

at the darkest part is the

brightest light and then that's

something that's so much

worth discovering because there's going

to be

terrible darkness in your life and it's

going to make you cynical and bitter

and it could easily be that you're just

not looking at it enough

because if you looked at it enough and

you didn't shy away and you brought

everything you had to bear on it

you'd find that there was more to you

than there was

to the horror you know i watched my

father-in-law

i'll end with this

and you know you don't know a because

you're not bringing your a

game to the table with all that cynicism

and bitterness and resentment

willful blindness and avoidance maybe

you're playing at 60 percent

it's not good enough because there's too

much of what's bad

for 60 to be good enough it's like you

need 90

or 95 or 100 percent my

when when when about 15 20 years ago

my mother-in-law developed um

pre-frontal temporal dementia which i

wouldn't recommend

you know it's one of those degenerative

neurological diseases like alzheimer's

and those bloody things are

like they're in the top echelon of awful

you know you watch a person

deteriorate before your eyes it's a

lengthy lengthy death

and and it was slow

and her husband he was he lived in this

little town that i grew up in about 3

000 people and he was quite a character

man everybody knew him

i bought him a foghorn leghorn t-shirt

once because that's kind of what he was

like it's loud and sort of bombastic but

he stood up straight i can tell you

and he played the fool a little bit

mostly for the amusement of people but

he was no damn fool

and and i always admired him and liked

him and and the feeling was

was mutual thank god since i married his

daughter

and uh you know he drank a lot with his

crazy friends up in northern alberta and

he wasn't at home a lot because he was

working a lot and

and you know he was kind of a party

animal about town but a good businessman

and a good man

and and then his wife got sick and they

moved to another town and

you know he took care of her for like 15

years

it was unbelievable as she deteriorated

you know and she got more desperate to

have him around her love for him

never never went away

even even as she lost herself almost

completely

she would always light up when

when he came into the room you know

and he took care of her right till

within weeks of her death he

had to finally put her in an old folks

home because he was no longer strong

enough

to lift her up from the chair and we

interacted with him a lot

you know because we were trying to help

him figure out how to cope and we had

signs put up in the house electronic

signs that would tell her when she when

he was leaving so that she

would know where she he went and we had

recordings in the bathroom so that she

knew what to do when she went into the

bathroom and we tried to do everything

we could to

not make this absolutely bloody

atrocious experience

complete hell and he participated the

whole way

you know and it was really something to

see it was really uh uh

it left me with a tremendous sense of

admiration for him but but not

just for him but for people who can do

that

you know and if if there was a new

decline he took it on

and and he didn't complain about it he

tried to do what he could you know and

and like it was no picnic don't get me

wrong but it wasn't hell

and and then we were all gathered around

the death bed her mother's my my wife's

mother's death bed and

that the family was there and they got

along pretty well you know what

her sister's a palliative care nurse and

the other one's a pharmacy a farm

assistant

none of them are particularly afraid of

of illness and death you know they're

pretty tough

group and so you know they made sure

their mother's lips were wet while she

was no longer

eating or drinking and and tried to make

her comfortable and they're around the

death bed and they were kind of getting

along you know

it wasn't family feud at mother's death

time and that was kind of nice

and and she died and that was that and

but it wasn't just that because

the fact that the family had coped with

it well and nobly and honorably i would

say brought them together

they were closer afterwards than they

were before and they all had more

respect for their father

and then in the old in the old folks

home he met another woman

who had a husband there who had

alzheimer's

and they got to know each other you know

and he died after a while and she died

after a while

and then a few months later they started

going out and then

eventually they had a relationship and

now they live together and so

he gained something like it wasn't that

he replaced what he lost you know what i

mean because

he still has pictures of his of his wife

up in

his house and she was the love of his

life and that's not going away but

you know his family respected him more

and everybody pulled together more and

it wasn't

hell at the death that it was just

tragedy and the family pulled together

more

and that was a good example of of how

you can extract at least a certain

amount of light out of what

out of out of what's dark even at a

personal level

and it's worth asking yourself it's like

drop what you're doing that's foolish

that you know

is foolish and pick a name that's

worthwhile you know

to make things better for yourself like

you're worth taking care of like you're

worth something you know

and to surround yourself with people who

who believe the same

and who are what rejoicing in your

accomplishments and

unhappy when you fail right and you're

comparing yourself

to your accomplishments of yesterday and

not to someone else's today so that

you're not

jealous and bitter and you put your own

house in order

so that you're not cursing the world

when some of its disarray might be your

fault

and you're trying to pursue something

meaningful and you're doing your best to

tell the truth

and all of that and then you see what

happens

who the hell are you you know you think

you're a miracle of some bloody bizarre

sort

we've been around for three and a half

billion years you know

every single one of your relatives

propagated successfully and here you are

against all possible odds in this in

this

world of hell in some sense and and and

bitterness

and and and and and and tyranny

and malevolence and yet god only knows

what's inside you this capacity for

consciousness the capacity

to confront potential and to turn it

into something good that's

us man that's the western story

that's the individual as the cornerstone

of the state

that's our responsibility and it really

is who we are

and so we need to know that and we need

to remember it and we need to

act it out and then maybe we can see

what we can do about it you know

and see how good we could make things

and maybe that would be the purpose of

your damn life right

not to be happy it's like there's

problems to be solved

be happy after you solve the goddamn

things

right

so i learned because i looked at dark

things that i learned that the light was

more powerful than the darkness as far

as the

i was concerned and that people were

capable each of us of remarkable things

and that we need to know that that's

what we are where this consciousness

that confronts potential with all its

catastrophe

that's what we are that's what makes us

in the image of god that's what gives us

our

intrinsic value and that idea that we

have intrinsic value that's the bedrock

presupposition of our state we're going

to question that

we're going to live it out better to

live it out

find out who you are thank you very much