Maps of Meaning: The Architecture of Belief by Jordan B. Peterson

3 out of 5 stars  ***

Jordan B. Peterson's vast existential undertaking about meaningful aspects of life takes him years of observation, study, and reasoning. He theorizes that mankind poses logical thoughts to form similar religions and mythologies from a fear of the unknown and a history of outcomes based on choices that are either beneficial or harmful. These patterns of thought are maps with meaning responsible for the drama between good and evil. For example, he refers to common threads between cultures that view the serpent as a major, formidable character in creation. The devil, Lucifer, Satan, is a rational reason for evil in the world who tempts mankind as a display of his power. God, the Source of creation, is pure goodness where morality stems. God uses Satan as a tool who tempts Adam and Eve in their fall from grace that creates original sin and the necessity for a savior, Jesus Christ.

Peterson contemplates the similarities of mankind's mythologies and religions and applies today's knowledge of neuroscience to infer that knowledge and understanding of life unfolds in fear of the unknown and an honest pursuit of truth. This requires looking for truth in places one resists because truth may dispel one's dreams, desires, or expectations of what one wants a situation to be. Reality can be cold. Many maps of meaning may be drawn from thoughts that protect one from the unknown. This misapplied, rational thought limits mankind's growth; like rejecting science as evil for the sake of holding onto comforting ideas.

Overall, this reviewer finds Maps of Meaning: The Architecture of Belief too academic in its explanation of the science behind the theory for the average listener/reader. The subject matter is most interesting and the author most learned but the challenge to decipher the language, sometimes, takes away from the joy of the intellectual experience.