theoccidentalobserver | Celebrity intellectual Jordan Peterson has written a blog post, “’On the So-Called ‘Jewish Question’,”
the inner quotes indicating he doesn’t think this is a real
issue—something that only “reactionary conspiracy theorists” would
propose. His blog includes a link to Nathan Cofnas’s criticism of The Culture of Critique. No links to my replies—which may provide a clue about his intellectual honesty.
Indeed, one must wonder about the seriousness of someone who thinks
he can settle an issue that has gotten the attention of some of the most
celebrated thinkers in Western history with an 1100-word blog post.
Peterson has become popular because of his courage and knowledge in
opposing political correctness. He stands up for men and for individual
responsibility. To his credit he achieved celebrity status via social
media, not as a creature of the mainstream media. Much of his stature
rests on his use of scientific data in his arguments. I and many others
certainly appreciate this approach; he is particularly cogent in
discussing sex differences and gender politics. There is not enough of
this in public discourse.
However, my confidence in Peterson’s trustworthiness was shaken by
his shoddy treatment of the Jewish Question, including name-calling
directed at my own work. This is part of his broader offensive against
identitarians, people who defend their group interests. For Peterson
there are only individual interests (a bit strange for someone who
approves of evolutionary biology, a subdiscipline that encompasses kin
selection theory and, for humans, cultural group selection). For
Peterson to admit there is a Jewish Question would be to concede the reality of group interests—not only families but religions, ethnic groups, and nations.
