What do you think about friendship? Was it just a random, unexpected thing that happened, or is it a conscious choice? Who becomes your friend?

Peterson’s third rule for life is phrased as: “Make friends with people who want the best for you.” On the surface, it sounds simple and clear. But look closer, and questions arise. First, how can you tell who truly wants the best for you? And second, why should anyone limit themselves when choosing their social circle?

In this episode, we’ll explore how our environment shapes us, what signs can help us understand whether a relationship helps us grow or pulls us down, how childhood and starting conditions affect adult life, and whether it’s possible to break free from a vicious cycle.

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We continue exploring Jordan Peterson’s second rule for life. The second rule is closely connected with the well-known moral law expressed in Kant’s categorical imperative or in the Christian commandment to treat others as you would like to be treated yourself.

An often-overlooked consequence of this idea, which Peterson emphasizes, is its reciprocity. In other words, by accepting this principle for yourself, you should also allow for its application to others. This, in fact, leads to the principle: “Make friends with people who want the best for you.”

It’s unlikely that this sounds entirely new, but the more holistic “view from above,” which is precisely what makes Peterson’s book valuable, allows us to understand these seemingly self-evident truths on a deeper level.

Continuing our discussion of Jordan Peterson’s 12 Rules for Life. The second rule is: “Treat yourself like someone you are responsible for helping.” However, in my view, this rule is not really about that.

The key concepts in this section are order, chaos, and the process that unfolds between them. Despite their abstract nature, these forces are present in our lives and are just as significant as more concrete, material things. A lack or excess of either one leads to undesirable consequences, which is why the search for the middle path becomes one of life’s most important tasks.

Do you agree that finding a balance between order and chaos is one of the important tasks in life? Share in the comments!