Jordan Peterson may have his psychologist license suspended over public statements. The College of Psychologists of Ontario indicated that Peterson has to undergo a mandatory “coaching program” due to public statements he has made. If Peterson does not comply, sanctions may follow, and one of the most extreme sanctions of the College is to suspend the license of Peterson to practice psychology.
The question that is being asked is: why can Peterson’s freedom of speech be so stifled?
Practicing psychology (seeing clients) is a regulated profession: one has to meet certain criteria in order to practice. The College of Psychologists of Ontario (CPO) is mandated with ensuring that those with a license to practice, actually meet the standards.
When someone does not meet the standards, the College undertakes steps to ensure client safety (even is that person is not seeing clients).
No one has “the right to practice”, this is a privilege that ought to be removed when client health and safety are at risk.
A comparison can be a drivers’ license: someone who puts others at risk (for example they drive under influence) may lose their drivers’ license, in order to keep everyone safe.
Drivers are allowed to drink alcohol, they are just not allowed to both drive and drink alcohol at the same time. Jordan Peterson is allowed to say highly harmful stuff, he is just not allowed to say highly harmful stuff and practice psychology at the same time.
If Peterson wants to practice psychology, he has to elevate the client’s wellbeing over his own speech. If he prioritizes his speech over the wellbeing of clients, he shouldn’t see clients.
Freedom of speech is not absolute, like any right it ought to be balanced with other interests. Even one of the heroes of libertarians, John Stuart Mill, indicated that:
The only freedom which deserves the name is that of pursuing our own good in our own way, so long as we do not attempt to deprive others of theirs, or impede their efforts to obtain it.
John Stuart Mill, On Liberty
Last question: why was the picture of Jordan Peterson crying picked for this post? The polemics of folks like Jordan Peterson about freedom of speech, is brilliantly captured in this picture. When held accountable to the impacts of what their statements, they act aggrieved, as if something is taken away from them, or as if they are harmed.
