Maps of Meaning

“Ideology divided the world up simplistically into those who thought and acted properly, and those who did not” (xiv). In this statement, Peterson critiques ideologies as being cliquish and passing off partial knowledge as the only truth. Analyze his statement while exploring the meaning of ideology. Argue for or against the position, drawing on the book and online research.

Peterson states that “the dream of Judeo-Christianity provided motive power for the civilization of the West” (420), implying that the Judeo-Christian tradition has been central in Western art, culture, philosophy, and more. Argue for or against his statement, using examples from your research.

The book mentions Taoism and other non-Western mythologies and folklore. Describe the elements of two such mythologies, drawing from the book. Also, briefly describe any omitted mythology you know of, using online research.

Peterson’s thinking is highly influenced by Carl Jung, Sigmund Freud, Erich Neumann, Carl Rogers, and other 20th-century thinkers. What do these thinkers have in common in their philosophy and areas of study?

One of the book’s most intriguing aspects is its parallel study of mythology and neuroscience. Describe how the author integrates mythology with the organization and functioning of the human brain.

Reviewing the book in Psychology Today, Canadian psychologist Paul Thagard wrote that though it is an ambitious and vast work, it is wanting in many aspects if taken from the perspective of the scholarly disciplines of psychology, anthropology, philosophy, and politics. Additionally, Thagard holds that mythology is not an effective tool to examine totalitarianism. Argue for or against Thagard’s review, using examples from the book and online research.

The book’s examples of the revolutionary hero are almost all males. Why do you think this is the case? Consider whether the book lacks female heroes because most mythological traditions feature men as heroes or because of the choice of myths and the manner of interpretation? Explore possible interpretations of mythological archetypes that place female characters at the forefront of change. Use research to address these topics.

The book delves into the medieval science of alchemy as a metaphor for spiritual transformation. In this light, describe the process of alchemy. Then explore why many considered alchemy a heretical science and why Jung thought alchemy expressed religious views that mainstream forms of Christianity could not accommodate.