A closer look at the defining struggles that shaped Jordan Peterson's life and career.
Jordan Peterson is a Canadian psychologist, author, and commentator who gained prominence in the late 2010s. Known for his views on cultural and political matters, he's often described as conservative, though he identifies as a classical liberal and traditionalist. Peterson's work spans clinical psychology, personality, ideology, and religious and mythological narratives, often emphasizing individual responsibility and meaning in life. He is known for his lectures and debates on diverse subjects.
September 2016: Response to Pronoun Request
In September 2016, Peterson was asked if he would comply with a student's request to use a preferred pronoun.
2016: Restricted Diet
In 2016, Jordan Peterson restricted his diet to only meat and a few vegetables to control his depression and autoimmune disorder.
2016: Clonazepam Prescription
In 2016, Jordan Peterson was prescribed clonazepam for anxiety that reportedly began after a 'violent reaction to a meat and greens only diet', starting at 0.5mg/day.
February 2017: Bernier Shifts Position on Bill C-16
In February 2017, Maxime Bernier shifted his position on Bill C-16 to opposition after meeting with Peterson.
April 2017: SSHRC Grant Denied
In April 2017, Peterson was denied a SSHRC grant, leading to claims of retaliation for his statements on Bill C-16 and a crowdfunding campaign in response.
May 2017: Speaks Against Bill C-16
In May 2017, Peterson spoke against Bill C-16 at a Canadian Senate Committee hearing.
November 2017: Shepherd Censure at Wilfrid Laurier University
In November 2017, Lindsay Shepherd was censured at Wilfrid Laurier University for showing a clip of Peterson debating Bill C-16, though the censure was later withdrawn and apologies were issued.
2017: Interview on Self-Censorship
In 2017, Peterson claimed in an interview that reactions on social media had promoted self-censorship among journalists following a public controversy around cultural appropriation.
2017: Calls to Defund Liberal Arts Programs
In 2017, Peterson proposed cutting funding for liberal arts programs in Canada, claiming students were being indoctrinated with "cultural Marxism."
February 2018: Agreement with College of Psychologists of Ontario
In February 2018, Peterson entered into an agreement with the College of Psychologists of Ontario (CPO) after a professional misconduct complaint.
June 2018: Lawsuit Against Wilfrid Laurier University
In June 2018, Peterson filed a $1.5 million lawsuit against Wilfrid Laurier University, alleging defamation by staff members.
2018: Associated with the Intellectual Dark Web
In 2018, Peterson was associated with the "intellectual dark web" in a New York Times article, and has been criticized regarding arguments outside his expertise as "conspiratorial" and "riddled with pseudo-facts".
2018: Channel 4 Interview on Gender Pay Gap
In a 2018 Channel 4 News interview, Peterson debated the gender pay gap with Cathy Newman, leading to online harassment against Newman, which Peterson condemned.
2018: Opposition to Identity Politics
In a 2018 interview with Time magazine, Peterson expressed his opposition to identity politics, arguing it is practiced by both the left and the right and focuses on group membership rather than individual responsibility.
2018: All-Meat Diet
In mid-2018, Jordan Peterson stopped eating vegetables and continued eating only beef, salt, and water, which nutrition experts warned could result in 'severe dysregulation'.
March 2019: Cambridge Fellowship Rescinded
In March 2019, Cambridge University rescinded a visiting fellowship invitation to Peterson due to concerns about his association with Islamophobia and the university's commitment to inclusivity.
December 2019: Thinkspot in Beta Testing
As of December 2019, Thinkspot (a new, free speech–oriented social networking and crowdfunding platform) remained in beta testing receiving largely negative reviews from media critics.
2019: Health Problems
In 2019, Peterson suffered health problems related to benzodiazepine dependence.
2020: Increased Clonazepam Dosage
By 2020, Jordan Peterson's clonazepam dosage had increased to 4mg/day. He attributed this increase to his wife Tammy's kidney cancer diagnosis.
2020: Health Problems
In 2020, Peterson continued to experience health problems related to benzodiazepine dependence.
2020: CPO Investigation
In March 2020, the Inquiries, Complaints and Reports Committee (ICRC) of the College of Psychologists of Ontario (CPO) investigated statements made by Peterson.
June 2022: Twitter Account Suspended
On 29 June 2022, Peterson's Twitter account was suspended under the site's 'hateful conduct policy' after posting a tweet misgendering Elliot Page.
November 2022: ICRC Orders Remedial Program
In November 2022, the ICRC ordered Peterson to complete a remedial program regarding professionalism in public statements.
2022: Climate Change Denial on Joe Rogan
In 2022, Peterson made inaccurate and misleading statements about climate change and climate modeling on The Joe Rogan Experience, drawing criticism from climate scientists.
August 2023: Judicial Review Upheld
In August 2023, the Ontario Divisional Court upheld the College of Psychologists of Ontario's decision regarding Peterson's public statements.
November 2023: Alliance for Responsible Citizenship Conference
In November 2023, the Alliance for Responsible Citizenship, an organization affiliated with Peterson, held a conference that downplayed anthropogenic climate change and promoted fossil fuels.
January 2024: Appeal Upheld
In January 2024, the Court of Appeal for Ontario upheld the decision against Peterson regarding his public statements.
August 2024: Supreme Court Declines Appeal
In August 2024, the Supreme Court of Canada declined to hear Peterson's appeal, closing legal options for resisting social media training.
November 24, 2024: Criticism in The Guardian
On November 24, 2024, Martha Gill criticized Peterson in The Guardian, noting his appeal to young men through self-improvement and spirituality.