Rational Belief, Truth and What it Means, according to Jordan Peterson and Ben Shapiro

Introduction to Rational Belief

In this article, we will explore what it means to believe rationally from the perspectives of Jordan Peterson and Ben Shapiro. Both of these individuals are well-known figures in the realm of philosophy and psychology, and their ideas about belief and reasoning have influenced many people around the world. But what exactly do they mean by "rational belief"? And how do their views compare and contrast with each other? In this chapter, we will provide an overview of the concepts of rational belief and how they are understood by Peterson and Shapiro.

Jordan Peterson's View on Rational Belief

Jordan Peterson is a Canadian clinical psychologist, professor, and public intellectual known for his views on individual responsibility, free will, and the importance of meaning in life. According to Peterson, rational belief involves aligning one's thoughts and actions with reality, and this requires a willingness to engage with difficult truths and confront one's own biases and prejudices.

"The purpose of life is finding the largest burden that you can bear and bearing it." - Jordan Peterson

For Peterson, the pursuit of rational belief is closely tied to the search for meaning and purpose in life. He argues that by aligning our beliefs with reality and taking responsibility for our own lives, we can find a sense of meaning and fulfillment that is grounded in truth. But this is not an easy task, as it requires us to confront our own limitations and weaknesses, as well as the challenges and mysteries of the world around us.

Ben Shapiro's View on Rational Belief

Ben Shapiro is an American political commentator, lawyer, and former editor-in-chief of the Daily Wire. He is known for his conservative views and his emphasis on the importance of individual responsibility and personal accountability. According to Shapiro, rational belief involves basing one's beliefs on evidence and reason, rather than emotion or ideology.

"Facts don't care about your feelings." - Ben Shapiro

Shapiro's view of rational belief is closely tied to his emphasis on the importance of objective truth and the value of logical and critical thinking. He argues that by basing our beliefs on evidence and reason, rather than emotions or preconceived notions, we can arrive at a more accurate understanding of the world around us. This is especially important in the realm of politics and public policy, where the consequences of flawed reasoning can be significant.

The Role of Emotion in Rational Belief

Both Peterson and Shapiro recognize the role that emotion plays in belief and decision-making. However, they differ in their views on how to handle emotions in the pursuit of rational belief. Peterson emphasizes the importance of understanding and managing one's emotions, while Shapiro argues that emotions should not be allowed to cloud judgment or dictate beliefs.

For Peterson, emotions are a crucial aspect of the human experience, and ignoring or suppressing them can lead to psychological and emotional problems. He argues that by acknowledging and learning to manage our emotions, we can gain greater insight into ourselves and the world around us. This can help us to make better decisions and live more fulfilling and meaningful lives.

Shapiro, on the other hand, takes a more skeptical view of emotion, arguing that it can often lead us astray if we allow it to dictate our beliefs and actions. He emphasizes the importance of basing our beliefs on evidence and reason, rather than letting emotions cloud our judgment. While he acknowledges the value of emotions in certain contexts, he argues that they should not be allowed to compromise our ability to think critically and rationally.

The Role of Faith in Rational Belief

While both Peterson and Shapiro place a strong emphasis on reason and evidence, they also recognize the role that faith can play in belief. For Peterson, faith is a necessary component of a meaningful life, as it allows us to confront the unknown and embrace the mystery of existence. In this sense, faith is not about blindly accepting claims without evidence, but rather about having the courage to face the unknown and to explore the depths of meaning and purpose.

"Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase." - Martin Luther King Jr.

For Peterson, faith is an essential part of the journey towards rational belief, as it allows us to confront the limits of our own understanding and to explore the mysteries of the universe. This can help us to develop a deeper sense of meaning and purpose, and to find a sense of direction and purpose in our lives.

Shapiro, on the other hand, sees faith as a personal choice that should be based on evidence and reason, rather than blindly accepting claims without evidence. He argues that faith should not be used as an excuse to avoid critical thinking or to ignore facts, but rather as a means of finding meaning and purpose in life. For Shapiro, faith is a personal choice that should be based on a careful examination of the evidence and a commitment to logical and critical thinking.

The Importance of Personal Responsibility in Rational Belief

Both Peterson and Shapiro believe that personal responsibility is a key aspect of rational belief. For Peterson, this means taking ownership of one's thoughts, actions, and beliefs, and being willing to accept the consequences of those choices. He argues that by taking personal responsibility for our own lives, we can find a sense of meaning and purpose that is grounded in truth and reality.

Shapiro similarly argues that individuals should be held accountable for their beliefs and actions, and that this requires a willingness to defend those beliefs with evidence and reason. He emphasizes the importance of personal responsibility in the pursuit of rational belief, arguing that we should all be willing to take ownership of our own lives and to stand up for what we believe in.

The Role of Culture and Society in Rational Belief

Both Peterson and Shapiro recognize the influence that culture and society can have on belief and reasoning. However, they differ in their views on the extent to which these external factors should shape one's beliefs.

Peterson argues that cultural and societal influences should be examined and critically evaluated, rather than blindly accepted. He emphasizes the importance of individual autonomy and the need to resist groupthink and the pressure to conform to societal norms. In this sense, rational belief requires a willingness to think for oneself and to challenge the status quo.

Shapiro similarly emphasizes the importance of individual autonomy and the need to resist groupthink. However, he takes a more skeptical view of the influence of culture and society, arguing that they can often lead us astray if we allow them to dictate our beliefs and actions. He emphasizes the need to base our beliefs on evidence and reason, rather than blindly accepting cultural or societal norms.

The Connection Between Rational Belief and Meaningful Action

For both Peterson and Shapiro, rational belief is closely connected to meaningful action. According to Peterson, belief shapes behavior, and aligning one's beliefs with reality can lead to more fulfilling and purposeful action. This is because our beliefs about the world and ourselves have a direct impact on how we live our lives and the choices we make. By aligning our beliefs with reality, we can find a sense of meaning and purpose that guides our actions and helps us to live more fulfilling lives.

Shapiro similarly argues that rational belief can serve as a foundation for ethical and moral decision-making. He emphasizes the importance of basing our beliefs on evidence and reason, rather than emotions or ideology, in order to arrive at ethical and moral conclusions that are grounded in truth. He also argues that by taking personal responsibility for our beliefs and actions, we can live more meaningful and fulfilling lives, as we are able to make choices that are aligned with our values and principles.

The Role of Doubt in Rational Belief

Both Peterson and Shapiro recognize the importance of doubt in the pursuit of rational belief. For Peterson, doubt is a natural and necessary part of the process of finding truth and meaning, as it helps us to question our own assumptions and beliefs. He argues that by acknowledging and engaging with doubt, we can gain a deeper understanding of ourselves and the world around us, and find a sense of meaning and purpose that is grounded in reality.

Shapiro similarly views doubt as a valuable tool for challenging our own biases and for ensuring that we are basing our beliefs on evidence and reason. He argues that by cultivating a healthy skepticism and a willingness to question our own assumptions, we can arrive at a more accurate understanding of the world and make better decisions.

The Importance of Rational Belief in Our Lives

In this book, we have explored the idea of rational belief from the perspectives of Jordan Peterson and Ben Shapiro. We have seen that, for both of these individuals, rational belief involves aligning one's thoughts and actions with reality, basing beliefs on evidence and reason, and taking personal responsibility for one's beliefs and actions. We have also seen that both Peterson and Shapiro recognize the role that emotion, faith, culture, and doubt can play in belief, and that rational belief is closely connected to meaningful action.

Ultimately, the pursuit of rational belief is a vital aspect of a fulfilling and meaningful life. By aligning our beliefs with reality and taking responsibility for our own lives, we can find a sense of meaning and purpose that guides our actions and helps us to live more fulfilling and meaningful lives. As we have seen, this is not an easy task, as it requires us to confront our own limitations and biases, as well as the challenges and mysteries of the world around us. However, by embracing doubt and the unknown, and by cultivating a willingness to think for ourselves and to challenge the status quo, we can find a sense of meaning and purpose that is grounded in truth and reality.