Phil 333: Unit 3 & 4

• Descriptive account


  Focuses on outlining the characteristics and behaviors typically associated with professions, such as specialized knowledge, autonomy, and a commitment to ethical standards
• Evaluative account


  Goes beyond description to assess the ethical and societal significance of professions, considering whether they fulfill their roles effectively, uphold ethical standards, and contribute positively to the common good
• Features of Professions according to Greenwood

  • Specialized Knowledge
  • Autonomy and Control
  • Ethical Codes
  • Regulatory Oversight
  • Professional Associations
• Features of Professions according to Downie


  • Public Service Orientation
  • Ethical Responsibilities
  • Trustworthiness
  • Accountability
  • Continuous Improvement
• Greenwood's description of the attributes of a profession is agreeable, as there is a clear framework for distinguishing professions from non-professions
• Data Science is in the process of professionalization but has not yet fully become a profession due to factors such as lack of standardized educational requirements, inconsistent ethical standards and accountability mechanisms, and evolving regulatory frameworks and professional associations
• Kipnis does not believe lawyers have a professional obligation to provide free legal services, advocating for voluntary participation instead and suggesting alternative methods to address access to justice issues
• Legalist Position


  Professional responsibility primarily derives from adherence to established laws, regulations, and professional codes of conduct
• Anti-Legalist Position


  Challenges the notion that professional responsibility should be primarily defined by adherence to legal rules and regulations, arguing that broader ethical implications should also be considered
• Interpretative Obedience

  1. Understanding the rules

  2. Knowing the justification for the rule

  3. Carrying out a course of action consistent with the justification for the rule
• Davis defends the Interpretive model of "just following the rules" because it does not leave anything out
• Anti-legalists argue that a strict adherence to legalism (following rules and regulations only) may lead professionals to perform at the minimal ethical level, while Davis maintains that following the rules of one's professional code of ethics is sufficient for being a responsible professional
• Problematic situation occupied by professional engineers according to Turnick

  • Pressure from Employers
  • Conflicting Demands
  • Lack of Autonomy
• Suggestions by Turnick to rectify the situation

  • Enhanced Ethical Education
  • Strengthened Ethical Codes and Standards
  • Promotion of Ethical Leadership
  • Advocacy for Public Interest
  • Organizational Reform
• Welch argues that professional ethics are not distinct from ordinary ethics, suggesting that ethical principles and standards applicable in professional contexts should align closely with those applicable in everyday life
• Parties to whom professional engineers have responsibilities

  • The public
  • The client
  • Engineering colleagues
  • Engineering profession
  • Themselves
• If authors like Pritchard and Pellegrino argue that professionals are properly responsible only when they exhibit virtues and perform beyond the mere satisfaction of explicit codes of their professions, it raises the question of whether professional ethics significantly differs from ordinary ethics
• The debate over whether professional ethics significantly differs from ordinary ethics revolves around the extent to which professional roles necessitate unique ethical frameworks and responsibilities
• While there are contextual differences and specialized considerations in professional ethics, the fundamental principles often remain rooted in broader ethical values that guide moral conduct in all aspects of life
• Whistleblowing


  The act of disclosing information about unethical, illegal, or improper practices within an organization to individuals or entities that can take action
• Internal Whistleblowing


  Disclosure of information about wrongdoing within an organization to individuals or entities within the organization itself
• External Whistleblowing


  Disclosure of information about wrongdoing to individuals or entities outside of the organization, such as regulatory agencies, law enforcement, media, or public interest groups
• Anonymous Whistleblowing


  The whistleblower discloses information without revealing their identity
• Non-anonymous Whistleblowing


  The whistleblower discloses their identity along with the information about wrongdoing
• Internal Whistleblowing

  Whistleblowing that happens within the organizational boundaries, such as reporting to managers, agers, or an ethics hotline. The disclosure remains within the organizational boundaries.
• External Whistleblowing


  Whistleblowing that happens when an employee or individual reports wrongdoing to individuals or entities outside of the organization, such as regulatory agencies, law enforcement, media, or public interest groups. The disclosure is made to external stakeholders or the general public.
• Types of Whistleblowing

  • Internal Whistleblowing
  • External Whistleblowing
• Anonymous Whistleblowing


  The whistleblower discloses information without revealing their identity. They may do so through anonymous reporting mechanisms, such as hotlines, websites, or letters, to protect themselves from potential retaliation.
• Non-anonymous Whistleblowing


  The whistleblower discloses their identity along with the information about wrongdoing. They may choose to openly identify themselves to demonstrate credibility or take responsibility for their actions.
• Types of Whistleblowing

  • Anonymous Whistleblowing
  • Non-anonymous Whistleblowing
• Advantages of Anonymous Whistleblowing


  • Avoiding potential negative repercussions of the organization knowing who blew the whistle. This means people might be more likely to be whistleblowers if they don't have to fear for their job, or their personal safety, or any other negative consequences.
• Disadvantages of Anonymous Whistleblowing

  • The whistleblower may lose credibility if they aren't willing to identify who they are and how they know about the moral issue. Those in power may not take the whistleblower seriously in this instance.
• De George's Conditions for Permissibility of Whistleblowing

  • Grave Harm Condition
  • Internal Reporting Condition
  • Evidence Condition
  • Proportionality Condition
• De George's Conditions for Obligation to Whistleblow

  • Prevention of Harm
  • Proximity Condition
  • Probability of Success
  • Last Resort Condition