Ethics and Professionalism

John Kultgen explores the ways morality and professional ideals are connected. In assessing the moral impact of professionalism in our society, he examines both the structure and organization of occupations and the ideals and ideology associated with them. Differing from standard treatments of professional ethics, "Ethics and Professionalism recognizes that it is the practices within the professions that determine whether rules and ideals are used as masks for self-interest or for genuinely moral purposes. "This book provides a functional analysis of what it means to be a profession or a professional society."--"Journal of Mass Media Ethics Exploring the relationship between morality and professional ideals, Kultgen examines the structure and organization of occupations and the ideals and ideology associated with professions. He argues that professionalization of occupations can both harm and benefit society, and that by converting occupations into organized special interest groups, the professions serve some sectors of society at the expense of others. On the other hand, he highlights the positive points of the professional ideal and explores ways in which it can be used to advance the physical and moral welfare of society. Kultgen also shows how it is the practices within the professions that determine whether rules and ideals are used as masks for self-interest or for genuinely moral purposes. ISBN 0-8122-8094-6: $14.95 Introduction: Professionalism And Morality -- Ethical Premises -- Utopian Vision And Piecemeal Reform -- Sociological Theories -- The Functionalist Model -- The Cloak Of Ideology -- The Subscapular Reality -- Charters, Contracts, And Covenants -- Reconstitution Of Institutions -- Professional Codes -- Ideals And Character -- Paternalism And Client Autonomy -- The Pedagogical Imperative -- Professionalism Sans Professions. John Kultgen. Includes Indexes. Bibliography: P. [375]-383.