SELF CONFIDENCE - Jordan Peterson (Best Motivational Speech)
The article is a theoretical piece.
The article discusses the psychological phenomenon of the "retrogressive restoration of the persona" and how it relates to the character of Pinocchio. It also draws on religious and literary references to explore the theme of maturation and independence.
Main topics: retrogressive restoration of the persona, Pinocchio, psychological development, maturation, independence. Secondary topics: religious and literary references, power and authority, the importance of apprenticeships.
- Introduction
- Discussion on Carl Jung's concept of retrogressive restoration of persona
- Explanation of Pinocchio's situation in relation to the concept
- Insight on how people try to hold onto their old identity
- Importance of letting go of perfection and establishing individuality
- God's First Commandment to Abraham
- Explanation of getting away from the known and into the unknown
- Discussion on the importance of becoming independent and growing up
- Impact of necessity to drive forward and mature
- Peter Pan: The Boy Who Won't Grow Up
- Explanation of Peter Pan's magical existence and Captain Hook's tyrannical character
- Insight on sacrificing potentiality of childhood for the actuality of a frame
- Importance of choosing one's own sacrifice and facing the consequences
- Conclusion
- Reiteration of the importance of letting go and establishing individuality
- Discussion on the significance of becoming something and enlarging one's own life and those of the people around them
The Importance of Maturation and Moving Beyond Dependence
Carl Jung coined the term "retrogressive restoration of the persona" to describe the phenomenon of individuals attempting to return to their old identities after achieving personal growth. However, this is impossible as it requires cutting off parts of oneself in a destructive manner. Similarly, the character Pinocchio in the story goes through a chaotic journey but attempts to return home to his benevolent father, only to find that this home no longer exists as he has moved forward.
It is common for individuals to maintain a tyrant slave relationship with their fathers or cling to their dependency for too long. However, this only leads to a sense of inferiority and the constant judgment of their father. At some point, individuals must realize that their parents cannot provide all the answers, which triggers a symbolic death and the establishment of an individual relationship with their parents where they can take care of them instead of the reverse.
The Call to Adventure and the Importance of Necessity
The opening lines of the Abrahamic story serve as a call to adventure where individuals must leave what they know and venture into the unknown. This requires leaving behind family and independence, which allows individuals to establish themselves in the world and become mature. There is a sacrificial element to maturation, which requires individuals to sacrifice the potentiality of childhood for the actuality of a frame.
However, this sacrifice is inevitable, and individuals must choose their damn sacrifice instead of letting it take them unaware. Those who put off maturity without suffering an immediate penalty end up facing a harsh penalty later. Therefore, it is important to choose to move beyond dependence and embrace the call to adventure, including the necessity that drives individuals forward.
The ideas presented in the article can have a significant impact on various areas of life, including personal development, psychology, philosophy, and literature. The concept of the retrogressive restoration of the persona and the need to cut off parts of oneself to fit into the old identity can offer insight into the process of personal growth and development. It can also help people understand why some individuals prefer to remain in tyrant-slave relationships with their fathers. However, the article misses the role of other areas of knowledge, such as sociology, anthropology, history, and neuroscience, in understanding the complexities of human development.
The author also overlooks the contradictions and ambiguities in the ideas presented. For instance, while the article suggests the importance of independence and the need to get away from one's family, it also acknowledges the sacrificial element of maturation. Moreover, the article presents a dichotomy between childhood and maturity but fails to acknowledge the continuum of development that encompasses various stages of life. Therefore, a more nuanced and interdisciplinary approach is necessary to understand the complexities of human development and the role of self-confidence in personal growth and realization.
Question 1:
What is the retrogressive restoration of the persona according to Carl Jung?
"...he described as a retrogressive restoration of the persona it's a complicated idea but basically what it means is that sometimes you take a leap forward and you learn some things but you can't catalyze a new identity so you try to go back and hide in your old identity and that actually doesn't work because well things have changed and you've learned something and that isn't who you are anymore and so it's like you have to cut part parts of yourself off in a destructive manner to fit back into the person that you were…”
Question 2:
What happens to people when they maintain a tyrant slave relationship with their fathers according to Jordan Peterson?
"...because it means they're subject to the tyrannical Judgment of their father they're always concerned about what their father would think or whether their father approves of them of them and so forth and you think well that's got to be an unpleasant place to be why would you do that...”
Question 3:
What does the call to adventure in the abrahamic story represent according to Jordan Peterson?
"...the opening of the story get thee out of thy country and from thy Kindred and from thy Father's House unto a land that I will show thee and this is one of those phrases where every Clause is significant...it's a call to Adventure…”
Question 4:
Why is it important to choose your own limitations and not let it take you by surprise?
"...the reason part of the reason you choose your damn sacrifice because the sacrifice is inevitable but at least you get to choose it and then there's something that's that's even more complex than that in some sense is that the problem with being a child is that all you are is potential and it's really low resolution you could be anything but you're not anything so then you go and you adopt an apprenticeship roughly speaking and then you become at least you become something and when you're something that makes the world open up to you again…”
Quiz 1: Understanding Carl Jung's theory of retrogressive restoration of the persona
- a. A theory of developmental psychology
- b. A theory of social identity formation
- c. A theory of regression and identity crisis
- d. A theory of trying to go back and hide in your old identity Answer: d. A theory of trying to go back and hide in your old identity
- a. People cannot go back to their old identity once they have learned something new
- b. People need to cut off parts of themselves in a destructive manner to fit back into their old identity
- c. Things have changed and people have learned something new
- d. All of the above Answer: d. All of the above
- a. Pinocchio escapes from a tyrannical situation and undergoes a descent into chaos, but tries to go back to his old identity
- b. Pinocchio becomes a real boy and discovers that he cannot go back to being a puppet
- c. Pinocchio decides to stay under the control of his father even though he knows it is a tyrannical relationship
- d. None of the above Answer: a. Pinocchio escapes from a tyrannical situation and undergoes a descent into chaos, but tries to go back to his old identity
Question 1: What is Carl Jung's theory of retrogressive restoration of the persona?
Question 2: According to Jung, why is retrogressive restoration of the persona not effective?
Question 3: How does the story of Pinocchio illustrate the concept of retrogressive restoration of the persona?
Quiz 2: Understanding the importance of maturation and sacrifice
- a. The process of becoming a fully grown adult
- b. The process of learning new things
- c. The process of adapting to a new environment
- d. The process of sacrificing childhood potentiality for adulthood actuality Answer: d. The process of sacrificing childhood potentiality for adulthood actuality
- a. It allows them to become independent and mature
- b. It allows them to establish themselves in the world and become more competent
- c. It allows them to experience the joys and challenges of adulthood
- d. All of the above Answer: d. All of the above
- a. The sacrifice is not inevitable, and you can avoid it if you choose
- b. The sacrifice is easier to accept if you choose it willingly
- c. The sacrifice is a fundamental part of maturation, and you cannot avoid it
- d. None of the above Answer: b. The sacrifice is easier to accept if you choose it willingly
Question 1: What is maturation?
Question 2: How does sacrificing childhood potentiality benefit people?
Question 3: Why is it important to choose your own sacrifice?
Quiz 3: Understanding the call to adventure
- a. An invitation to travel to a new place
- b. A summons to engage in a new and unknown experience
- c. A message from a friend or family member
- d. None of the above Answer: b. A summons to engage in a new and unknown experience
- a. An invitation to travel to a new place and start a new life
- b. A summons to leave behind childhood dependency and establish independence and maturity
- c. A message from a higher power to follow a specific path in life
- d. None of the above Answer: b. A summons to leave behind childhood dependency and establish independence and maturity
- a. It allows people to break free from the limitations of their past and establish themselves in the world
- b. It creates new opportunities for growth, learning, and fulfillment
- c. It enables people to find their true purpose in life
- d. All of the above Answer: d. All of the above
Question 1: What is the call to adventure?
Question 2: In the Abrahamic story, what does God's command to "get thee out of thy country and from thy kindred and from thy father's house" represent?
Question 3: Why is it important to answer the call to adventure?
- Accept that change is inevitable and necessary for personal growth. It is important to let go of the past and move forward, even if it means leaving behind parts of your identity that may no longer serve you.
- Challenge yourself to step out of your comfort zone and into the unknown. This can lead to new experiences, opportunities, and self-discovery.
- Establish independence from family and dependency by taking responsibility for your own life and decisions. It is important to grow up and establish yourself in the world rather than relying on your parents or others to make decisions for you.
- Sacrifice potentiality for actuality to reach maturity. This means choosing your limitations and adopting an apprenticeship or career path to develop yourself and gain competence.
- Embrace authority and competence, and strive to become a pillar of your community. This can lead to personal satisfaction and fulfillment, as well as making positive contributions to society.
The best tip to include in daily life would be to challenge yourself to step out of your comfort zone and into the unknown. This tip encourages personal growth and is applicable to various aspects of life, such as taking on new challenges at work, trying new hobbies, or meeting new people. By embracing the unknown, you can develop self-confidence and open yourself up to new opportunities and experiences. Additionally, pushing past your fears and self-imposed limitations can lead to a sense of accomplishment and personal satisfaction.