Don’t Push for Happiness - Prof. Jordan Peterson

This is another interesting piece of Jordan Peterson’s psychology lecture “Neuropsychology of Symbolic Representation” as part of his 2017 class “Maps of Meaning” at the University of Toronto. Dr. Peterson explains why we should choose a more balanced approach to life and not only strife for happiness – as it might lead to depression instead. He uses people suffering from manic disorder as an example and discusses the respective brain functions.

You can watch the complete lecture here:

You may also be interested to know that Jordan B. Peterson's book “12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos” is finally available. You can find it here:

Don't miss out on his best selling first book “Maps of Meaning: The Architecture of Belief” which much of his lecture material is based on:

The above are Amazon affiliate links.

[PsycheMatters]

The above are official Amazon affiliate links.

[MrBeatlesfan]

I'm upset that none of my professors were as impacting as this man.

[zobazoba]

What is great about Peterson is that he doesn't just spew things out of his mouth as if regurgitated. What he says, he means and he has thought about it so that it makes objective sense. It's not indoctrinating opinions, it's a deep, eye opening adventure into truth and wisdom.

[actionmethod]

I feel like I should receive college credits for my addiction to Jordan B Peterson videos on Youtube.

[joeyg]

Ive been through depression when i was younger and one the best pieces of advice i would give is that to stop chasing happiness. Chase being at peace/ in a zen mode.

[major]

Another critically misleading video title. He's not saying, "Don't go for ANY happiness". He's saying, "Don't go for JUST happiness. It's unhealthy."

[bhavykhatri]

What I learnt from psychology is that "Don't push yourself towards extreme behavior and situation". Keep an eye on yourself.

[speedometer]

Pursuing happiness is like trying to run towards a finish line that moves away from you.

[ChangesOfTomorrow]

I used to have the ideology of putting happiness above all else and it had nothing to do with manic episodes. It pushed me to develop deep meaningful friendships as I saw genuine good friends as essential to happiness, I perused education and well paid job to achieve the mythical happiness... It didn't work out at the end I was ultimately miserable and I no longer believe being happy is the ultimate meaning of our existence, yet my experience with that belief was very different from what Peterson describes.

[ZFlyingVLover]

Having a goal, pursing it and reflecting on the journey is happiness. Getting the goal is fleeting happiness

[bluesun]

That beautiful teal door gives me positive emotions. It's about little things in life. I teach my kids to notice little in order to feel big.

[richardsrensen]

this man have very profound reflections and its always good to be in company with Jordan Peterson

[yugalsharavana]

Sir, you have helped me save my soul. God bless you. I am forever grateful to you

[taylorjohnson]

You create happiness by working towards your goals and living your life like you should.

[ggates]

I think it would be better if he would have said that we shouldn't seek pleasure, because there is nothing wrong with happiness. Happiness can be a result of living a good, ethical life.

[Thorvandal]

The title of this video is completely wrong. He's talking about the functionality of negative emotions and how they are here to protect you from doing stupid things. He's arguing against a pure positive emotion index as a measure of a successful life, by giving an example of a manic. Nothing about actual "not pushing" for happiness tho.

[stefanmariaschneider]

I would say mania and happiness is not the same. I'd define happiness as having your actual physiological and psychological needs (autonomy, self-efficacy, safe attachment, freedom of expression, play and fun) fulfilled. The feeling of being nurtured.

[tortugatech]

Jordan Peterson makes me realize I have every mental health issue ever...
And just when I thought that I managed to make myself happy now but that I have to have these relapses of my deep depression and disappointment in mankind, now I understand I was just repressing my real feelings in state of total mania...

[jahzd]

Happiness doesn't exists.

You will experience brief moments of pleasure but the human condition is that you know too much about the future to be happy.
Psychologists agree that the natural human state is mild depression.
So don’t be sad about being sad, its normal.

[Mirandorl]

Thank you for titling this video accurately and not making a clickbaity spin on the actual topic, unlike a number of other JP channels.