Jordan Peterson is a Canadian clinical psychologist, professor, and author known for his work on psychology, philosophy, and cultural critique. Born on June 12, 1962, in Alberta, Canada, Peterson earned his Ph.D. in clinical psychology from McGill University and later served as a professor at Harvard University and the University of Toronto. Peterson gained widespread recognition for his opposition to Canada's Bill C-16 in 2016, which he argued compelled speech by mandating the use of preferred pronouns for gender identities. This sparked international debate on free speech and political correctness. His views have since made him a polarizing figure, with supporters praising his defense of individual liberty and critics accusing him of fostering divisiveness. Peterson's bestselling book, 12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos (2018), blends psychology, philosophy, and self-help principles, encouraging readers to embrace responsibility and order in their lives. He followed this with Beyond Order: 12 More Rules for Life (2021). His teachings often draw on biblical stories, mythology, and Carl Jung’s theories, emphasizing the importance of meaning, structure, and personal accountability. Peterson is also a prominent speaker and online personality, with lectures and interviews addressing topics such as human nature, societal structures, and ideological extremism. While his intellectual contributions have earned him a dedicated following, his critiques of modern cultural movements have sparked ongoing debate. Despite health struggles in recent years, Peterson continues to be a significant voice in discussions on personal growth, freedom, and Western cultural values.

Friedrich Nietzsche (1844–1900) was a German philosopher, cultural critic, and philologist known for his critiques of traditional Western morality, religion, and philosophy. Raised in a devout Lutheran household, he abandoned Christianity as a young man, arguing that belief in God was no longer tenable in modern society—a concept encapsulated in his famous declaration, "God is dead." He believed Christianity fostered a "slave morality" that suppressed human potential and celebrated weakness. Nietzsche introduced influential ideas such as the "will to power," which he saw as the fundamental driving force of life, and the concept of the Übermensch (Overman), an ideal individual who creates their own values and transcends societal norms. His idea of eternal recurrence challenged individuals to live as though every moment of their life would repeat infinitely. His major works include Thus Spoke Zarathustra, Beyond Good and Evil, and The Genealogy of Morals, which critique traditional morality and explore human potential. Though groundbreaking, his ideas are often misunderstood, partly due to the misappropriation of his work by his sister, who aligned his legacy with nationalist ideologies he did not support. Nietzsche's later years were marked by mental illness, and he spent the last decade of his life incapacitated. Despite his rejection of Christianity, his critiques compel Christians to reflect deeply on the strength of their faith and the relevance of Christ in addressing questions of meaning and morality. His philosophy remains a cornerstone of existentialist and modern thought, challenging individuals to confront life’s complexities without reliance on traditional structures.