“A shared cultural system stabilizes human interaction, but is also a system of value—a hierarchy of value, where some things are given priority and importance and others are not. In the absence of such a system of value, people simply cannot act. In fact, they can’t even perceive, because both action and perception require a goal, and a valid goal is, by necessity, something valued. We experience much of our positive emotion in relation to goals. We are not happy, technically speaking, unless we see ourselves progressing—and the very idea of progression implies value. Worse yet is the fact that the meaning of life without positive value is not simply neutral. Because we are vulnerable and mortal, pain and anxiety are an integral part of human existence. We must have something to set against the suffering that is intrinsic to Being.*2 We must have the meaning inherent in a profound system of value or the horror of existence rapidly becomes paramount. Then, nihilism beckons, with its hopelessness and despair. So: no value, no meaning. Peterson, Jordan B.. 12 Rules for Life (p. xxviii). Random House of Canada. Kindle Edition. Peterson, Jordan B.. 12 Rules for Life (p. xxviii). Random House of Canada. Kindle Edition. Peterson, Jordan B.. 12 Rules for Life (p. xxviii). Random House of Canada. Kindle Edition. ”
