Book · 2000 · Genetic psychology
An Instinct for Dragons
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Um there's a book that I found very useful in my analysis of such things called an instinct for dragons by a man named David E. Jones.
Jordan Peterson · The Jordan B. Peterson Podcast · Jul 2025 Listen at 1:48 The best things said about it
Yeah, there's a book called An Instinct for Dragons written by an anthropologist named David E. Jones about dragons and dragons throughout cultures and across cultures.
Why people recommend it
An Instinct for Dragons by David E. Jones is an anthropological study that explores dragons and how dragon-like creatures appear across various cultures throughout history. The book was highlighted on two different podcasts by prominent commentators. On an episode of The Jordan B. Peterson Podcast in July 2025, Jordan Peterson recommended the work, stating that he found it very useful in his own analysis of such mythological concepts and noting that it offers an evolutionary explanation for the universal human concept of dragons. Similarly, on an episode of Stuff You Should Know in September 2026, Chuck Bryant brought up the publication while discussing theories regarding why reptilian or dragon-like imagery consistently emerges across disparate human cultures. Both hosts utilized the insights from David E. Jones's research to explain the deep-seated psychological and anthropological roots of mythical beasts in human history, demonstrating the enduring cross-cultural fascination with these legendary creatures as examined through an evolutionary and academic lens.
Every mention
Jordan Peterson Um there's a book that I found very useful in my analysis of such things called an instinct for dragons by… 1
“Um there's a book that I found very useful in my analysis of such things called an instinct for dragons by a man named David E. Jones.”
Chuck Bryant Yeah, there's a book called An Instinct for Dragons written by an anthropologist named David E. Jones about… 1
“Yeah, there's a book called An Instinct for Dragons written by an anthropologist named David E. Jones about dragons and dragons throughout cultures and across cultures.”