Jordan Peterson has hit out at identity politics, claiming it is "tearing us apart".
Giving a main stage speech at the Alliance for Responsible Citizenship (Arc) Conference, Peterson said that "concerns about identity" leads to a "pathway that's marked out by nothing but...self-serving hedonism".
Peterson also used his speech to ask delegates: "How do we tilt the world uphill rather than downhill?", rejecting a declinist vision of the world.
Arc was established as "an international community with a vision for a better world".
Its mission is to generate a new approach to society, which would allow everyone to "prosper, contribute and flourish".
Speaking on the first day of the conference, the Canadian psychologist told delegates: "We're torn apart with concerns about identity and what does identity mean?
"And we insist at every moment that our identity is to be found in the instantaneous gratification of every possible hedonistic whim, knowing full well that a pathway that's marked out by nothing but that self-serving hedonism is destined to despair and catastrophic failure."
Addressing the issue of identity politics, he also called for individuals to "take responsibility" for themselves.
He said: "Take responsibility for yourself. Why? Because in bearing that noble burden, you'll find the self-regard that sustains you through catastrophe.
"And if you can take care of yourself, well, maybe you could dare to offer your hand to someone else, to your wife or to your husband - and you can say we can join together and as a unit we can be stronger and more responsible than either of us could be a part.
"And then if you're careful and awake and you take on the responsibility, you can manage that.
"And then if you can do that, maybe you can dare to bring children into the world."
Hitting out a declinist mentality, he added: "I've talked to audiences all around the world. How do we tilt the world uphill rather than downhill?
"And the answer is, well, you do that within the confines of your own life.
"The eternal message that's at the foundation of Western civilization, and I would say necessarily at the foundation of civilization as such, is that we are each a divine locus of value, right and responsibility.
"And if that's true, then we each have a cardinal and irreplaceable role to play in the destiny of the world.
"What we're here to do, all of us, is not to listen to yet another plan to bring about the desirable end, but to meditate communally on what each of us can do as the captains of our own ships, to sail the entire fleet towards the promised shores.
"And that's what we're here to determine."
Republican politician Kevin McCarthy also addressed the conference, telling delegates: "Decline is not inevitable"
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Republican politician Kevin McCarthy also addressed the conference, telling delegates: "Decline is not inevitable".
Instead, he promised a "compelling, hope-filled vision for the future", offered by ARC.
The former Republic speaker added: "We must be united in breaking the mindset of victimhood.
"Instead of connecting people through pain, our mission is to connect people through possibilities and shared dreams for a brighter future.
"We can only achieve this if we recommit to the principles that have sustained our strength, our prosperity and our way of life."