@Campitor:
What I should have typed instead of "Who am I to censor?" would be something like "I am
extremely opposed to censorship. If examining the evidence offered by the sub-text, as well as the evidence offered directly by the text, is so likely to be, as the kids put it, butt-hurt-ful that it inhibits free expression by other, I will freely choose to cease and desist." Is it possible that I am mistaken in my reading of the subtext of Peterson? Of course, it is, because largely an intuitive process. Does that mean that I am able to inhibit myself from reading sub-text as well as text at this juncture in my cognitive development? No, I have read thousands of books and I now do it on auto-pilot. For instance, there are very few lines that speak directly to the topic in "ERE" the book, but my reading of the sub-text was "Conscientious-motivated by saving the planet."
Returning to text proper:
It is the primary duty of parents to make their children socially desirable. That will provide the child opportunity, self-regard, and security. It's more important even than fostering individual identity. That Holy Grail can only be pursued, in any case, after a high degree of social sophistication has been established.
It occurred to me that opposing argument could readily be constructed along the lines of:
It is a primary duty of parents to make their children socially desirable. That will provide the child opportunity, self-regard, and security. Only the task of fostering individual identity can be regarded as more important. As parents we function much like gardeners, preparing fine seed bed and watering as needed, but it is not within our power to direct a lima bean towards developing into a tomato.
My serious question would be which of these two arguments is most in alignment with a 21st century conservative or liberal viewpoint?
Another question I would put to those of you who have read more than 1of his books or watched more than a couple of Peterson's debates, would be what does he suggest is the process through which the child who must be socialized towards being likeable becomes the "competent" individual whom society should allow to be "difficult" or "politically incorrect?"
Another question would be how would you imagine the Peterson Parent dealing with the classic icon of American Boyhood in the character of Tom Sawyer? Are we gonna give him a good whuppin' after he tricks Ben Rogers into taking over his white-washing chore? Maybe after participating in some other risky scheme or dangerous adventure?
“Work consists of whatever a body is obliged to do. Play consists of whatever a body is not obliged to do.” — Mark Twain
