Books ALL MEN Should Read┃Jordan Peterson

Summary

The script discusses the concept of 'canon' in literature, suggesting a technical approach to determine a book's canonical status based on its influence on other works. It emphasizes the importance of understanding foundational texts like the Bible due to their pervasive impact on Western thought. The narrative then broadens to the significance of historical works in shaping our identity and the role of beauty and transcendence in inspiring timeless creations, calling us to engage with the eternal.

Takeaways

• 📚 The concept of a 'canonical' book is tied to its influence and relationship with other books, serving as a foundation for understanding cultural and historical context.
• 🤔 Post-modernist thought challenges the idea of a canon, suggesting it may only serve to uphold a 'tyrannical patriarchy', but the speaker seeks a technical solution to this debate.
• 🔍 The speaker's team is developing an online educational system to determine what makes a book canonical, suggesting that a book's influence on others is a key metric.
• 🏛 The Bible is identified as the ultimate canonical book in the West due to its extensive influence across literature and thought.
• 🎓 University education often introduces canonical works as they have a disproportionate impact on culture and are integral to understanding one's own identity and history.
• 📖 The works of Shakespeare, Milton, and Dante are highlighted as opening up to understanding once one has a grasp of the foundational texts like the Bible.
• 🧠 Understanding canonical works is equated to understanding oneself and one's place in history, as these works reflect the patterns of human perception and action.
• 🏛️ Great works, like paintings and buildings, are described as 'calls to adventure', inviting engagement with something greater than one's immediate self.
• 🕰️ The creation of beauty, whether in art or architecture, is associated with a desire to connect with something eternal, transcending the lifespan of the creator.
• 🎨 Artworks capture moments in time and preserve them, suggesting a relationship with eternity and the aspiration to create something lasting and beautiful.
• 🌟 The pursuit of beauty and the creation of timeless works are tied to a divine aim, reflecting a collective effort to produce something that endures beyond individual lifetimes.

Q & A

What is the post-modernist claim about books existing in relationship to one another?

The post-modernist claim is that books are interconnected and influence each other, suggesting a network of literary relationships rather than isolated works.

Why are some books considered trivial according to the transcript?

Books are considered trivial if they have hardly any relationship to other books, possibly because they are newly written or have not yet made a significant impact on the literary landscape.

How does the speaker propose to rank order books by their influence?

The speaker suggests ranking books by the degree to which they have influenced other books, similar to how citations are used in academic research.

What is identified as the ultimate canonical book in the West according to the transcript?

The Biblical Corpus is identified as the ultimate canonical book in the West due to its extensive influence on virtually everything in Western literature and thought.

Why is it important to understand canonical books according to the speaker?

Understanding canonical books is important because they provide a foundational knowledge that helps in understanding oneself and guiding one's life properly, as they reflect the patterns of one's perceptions and actions.

What does the speaker mean by 'canonical' in the context of educational systems?

In the context of educational systems, 'canonical' refers to works that have had a significant and disproportionate influence on other works and are considered essential for understanding the cultural and historical context.

How does the speaker relate the concept of 'canonical' to one's identity?

The speaker relates the concept of 'canonical' to one's identity by suggesting that understanding these works helps in understanding who one is, as they are part of the historical and social constructs that shape individual perceptions and actions.

What does the speaker suggest about the purpose of great works of art and architecture?

The speaker suggests that great works of art and architecture are a 'call to adventure' and are aimed at something beyond the creators' lifetime, representing a collective effort to manifest beauty and participate in something divine and eternal.

How does the speaker view the relationship between beauty and eternity?

The speaker views the relationship between beauty and eternity as one where the establishment of a relationship with eternity is key to the construction of something beautiful, suggesting that the will to produce beauty is aligned with that which transcends time.

What is the significance of the speaker's mention of oil paintings in the context of eternity?

The mention of oil paintings signifies the ability of art to capture a moment in time and preserve it in a permanent form that can last across centuries, thus establishing a relationship with eternity.

How does the speaker connect the idea of adventure with the encounter of canonical works at a university?

The speaker connects the idea of adventure with the encounter of canonical works by suggesting that each work is a 'call to adventure,' inviting the student to explore and understand the patterns and influences that have shaped their world and identity.