In the book, he explores the origins of evil, and also posits that an analysis of the world's religious ideas might allow us to describe our essential morality and eventually develop a universal system of morality. A. degree in political science in 1982 and a degree in psychology in 1984, both from the University of Alberta, and his Ph. In The Atlantic, Helen Lewis commented that Peterson's popularity is because of, not in spite of, "his contradictions and human frailties".

In 2004, a 13-part TV series based on his book Maps of Meaning: The Architecture of Belief aired on TVOntario. Peterson does not like to be asked if he believes in God, complaining to an interviewer that the question is intended to “box him in”, but 12 Rules for Life is saturated with Christian theology.

Jordan Peterson Clashes w/ Maher Panel About Political Divide: 'You Need To Have Respect' For Trump Voters". The society produced by Christianity was far less barbaric than the pagan—even the Roman—ones it replaced.

Lewis wrote: "he is one of notably few prominent figures willing to confront the most fundamental questions of existence . It isn’t an alternative political structure that’s the countervailing force, it’s spoken truth that’s the countervailing force. Like all the Rules, it starts simply with the observation that if you have a rubbish colleague or superior who shirks work and responsibility, then take up the slack yourself and make yourself indispensable. And if you find yourself, like one of his clients, in a department where people spend time worrying whether the word “flip-chart” might be offensive to Filipinas, well, he has sound advice: “Do not Do What you Hate”.Rule Four, “Notice that Opportunity Lurks where Responsibility has been Abdicated” has a picture of Atlas holding up the world (I’m not sure that one was thought through). Some critics, such as National Review 's Heather Wilhelm [104] [105] and Toronto Star 's James Grainger, were critical of initial negative reviews that they believed had misinterpreted Peterson.