Peter started out with a background in philosophy, applied psychology and social theory. He worked for thirteen years as a clinical psychologist before returning to university to teach in a health science faculty. There he developed several applied programs, post-graduate courses and supervised a sizeable number of PhD and master's students. In 2009, in response to student struggles with theory, he developed a post-graduate course on theory and philosophy which has informed the content of this book. His research interests include: applied rhetoric, existential issues, critical theory, gambling, family impacts of addictions, commercial determinants and gender-based violence. This is his ninth sole-authored book, the previous including three on addictions, two on existential issues, two on rhetoric and one on men's violence.  He is employed as a full professor at the School of Population Health and an associate director of the Centre for Addiction Research, both at the University of Auckland, Aotearoa New Zealand.