Group 6 (Hands out report)

Members:
Alviza, Shadrach Messach A.
Leguiz, Christian A.
Malasmas, Antonio Jr.
Matias, Jhonemichael F.
Santos, Ria Cristy G.

Ethics and Profession

1. Introduction
What is profession?
Webster’s dictionary similarly defines profession as “a: a calling requiring specialized knowledge
and often long and intensive academic preparation b: a principal calling, vocation, or
employment c: the whole body of persons engaged in a calling
1.2 Evolution of Professions
1.2.1 Origins of Professions
The concept of a profession is actually not new; however, the word profession today carries a
far different connotation than it did during the Middle Ages. According to Bolivar A. Senior, the
word profession referred to a commitment formally professed by a person to become a
member of a religious order, and a professional was the person who has professed the
commitment. Senior writes, since early universities drew most of their faculty from religious
orders, these teachers eventually were called professors
The Industrial Revolution is credited with establishing professions in engineering, accounting,
and banking. Over the years, however, material rewards for being a professional have increased
and a set of requirements has evolved.

Two Categories of Profession

• Learned Professions – which required individuals with a deep knowledge of the profession
acquired through years of formal education
• Common Professions – which required the individuals to be noblemen who in theory did not
really need to work for a living: they were liberated
from the need to work, but ought to learn the
profession anyway.

1.2.2 Requirements of A professional

There are three basic professional requirements,
and over the years as the professions evolved,
these three elements have taken different forms.
They are as follows:
I. A set of highly developed skills and deep
knowledge of the domain
II. Autonomy
III. Observance of a code of conduct

4 types of codes of conducts

Example:
The doctor is asked by his or her patients to assist them in taking their own life by euthanasia.

Professional Code: Not Allowed

Personal Code: The doctor believes on mercy killing.
Institutional Code: Not Allowed
Community Code: Not Allowed

1.2.3 Pillars of professionalism

Professionalism is supported by four pillars:
• Commitment
• Integrity
• Responsibility
• Accountability.

1.2.3.1 Commitment
According to Humphreys, has these six characteristics:
I. The person making the commitment must do so willingly without duress.
II. The person responsible must try to meet the commitment, even if help is needed.
III. There must be agreement on what is to be done, by whom, and when.
IV. The commitment must be openly and publicly stated.
V. The commitment must not be made easily.
VI. Prior to the committed date, if it is clear, it cannot be met, advance notice must be
given and a new commitment negotiated.

1.2.3.2 Integrity
Integrity means a state of undivided loyalty to self-belief. It is honesty, uncompromising self-
value, and incorruptible. The word integrity comes from the Latin word integratas, which means
entire, undivided, or whole. To stay undivided in one’s beliefs professionally requires three
maxims:
I. Vision.
II. Love.
III. Commitment.

1.2.3.3 Responsibility
Responsibility deals with roles, tasks, and actions and their ensuing consequences.
I. Responsibilities of a Professional as a Provider
II. Service Responsibilities.
III. Product Responsibilities.
IV. Consequential Responsibilities.

1.2.3.4 Accountability
Accountability involves these three key elements:
 I. A set of outcome measures that reliably and objectively evaluate performance.
II. A set of performance standards defined in terms of these outcome measures.
III. A set of incentives for meeting the standards and / or penalties for failing to meet
them.

1.3 The Making of an Ethical Professional: Education and Licensing

Three items that encourage, maintain, and improve that higher ethical standard. These are as
follows:

I. Formal education,
II. Licensing
III. Professional codes of conduct.

1.3.1 Professional Codes of Conduct

The primary purpose of professional codes of conduct is to promote the public image of the
profession by specifying and enforcing the ethical behavior expected from its members.
Accordingly, and in most cases, professional codes consist of standards, canons, and rules of
conduct that address the following areas:

• Moral and legal standards • Confidentiality

• Professional–client relationship • Assessment
• Client advocacy • Compliance
• Professional–public relationships • Competence
• Sanction mechanics

1.3.1.2 Professional Codes of Conduct (Be More effective)

I. Enforcement
II. Reporting grievances
III. Hearing procedures
IV. Sanctions
V. Appeals
Codes without such systems in place are completely ineffective.
4.4 Professional Decision Making and Ethics

the process of professional decision making. Here we focus on professional dilemmas and guilt
associated with decision making.

Dilemmas in decision making are common in the everyday activities of professionals. The
process of decision making involves a mapping with input parameters and an output decision.
The input parameters are premises and attached values, which are used to create a logical
decision.

Dilemmas in decision making are caused by questioning the values attached to the premises,
which may be clouded by codes of conduct, advances in technology, or incomplete or misleading
information.

4.4.1.1 Advances in Technology

Dilemmas in decision making may also be caused by advances in technology. advances in

computer technology have created new possibilities and complexities that can lead to dilemmas
in decision making. It's important to carefully consider the implications of these advancements
and to approach decision making with a critical eye, balancing the benefits and risks of
technology with ethical and moral considerations.

4.4.1.2 Incomplete or Misleading Information

Lack of information can lead to poor decision making, leading to errors and missed
opportunities. lack of information can be a significant obstacle in decision-making, leading to
poor outcomes and missed opportunities. Therefore, it's crucial to gather relevant and reliable
information before making decisions, weigh the pros and cons of each option, and consider the
potential consequences of each decision. By doing so, we can reduce the risk of errors and
missed opportunities and make more informed and effective decisions.

4.4.2 Guilt and Making Ethical Decisions

• Utilitarian criterion —where decisions are made solely on the basis of their intended outcomes
or consequences.

• Rights criterion —where decisions are made based on the set of liberties the society enforces
such as the Magna Carta and the Bill of Rights.
• Justice criterion —justice criterion is a standard or principle used to evaluate the fairness or
justness of a particular action, decision, policy, or system. It is often applied in legal, moral, and
political contexts to ensure that all individuals and groups are treated equally and with dignity.

4.5 Professionalism and Ethical Responsibilities

This is the last of our four themes in professionalism and ethics. We focus here on
professionalism and ethical responsibilities that include whistle-blowing, harassment, and
discrimination.

4.5.1 Whistle-Blowing

Whistle-blowing refers to the act of reporting or disclosing unethical, illegal, or wrongful actions
or practices in an organization by an employee or a group of employees to an appropriate
authority or the public.

4.5.2 Harassment and Discrimination

Harassment involves creating a hostile, abusive or offensive environment based on certain

characteristics such as race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, etc. Discrimination
involves making negative decisions based on these same characteristics, such as denying
services. Harassment is a form of discrimination and if left unaddressed, can affect everyone in
an organization.

Discrimination involves making negative decisions based on these same characteristics, such as
denying services. Harassment is a form of discrimination and if left unaddressed, can affect
everyone in an organization.

4.5.2 Harassment and Discrimination

The following steps are needed in fight against harassment and discrimination:

1. Awareness . There are no clear signs of harassment, but in most cases harassment is
manifested in the following signs: unhappiness, anxiety, discomfort, stress, and lifestyle
changes. Discrimination is even harder to detect than harassment However, there is
discrimination if the decisions made are based upon the discriminatory factors above.
2. Prevention - To prevent harassment and discrimination in an organization, having a clear
and simple written policy framework is essential. This framework should outline
procedures for dealing with incidents of harassment and discrimination, including
awareness/education, a complaint process, sanctions, and redress.
4.5.3 Ethical and Moral Implications

Whistleblowing is an act that serves to alert the public to illegal or hazardous activities
and to protect public welfare. While it can be seen as a moral act, the fear of retaliation
and loss of privileges can prevent individuals from doing what is right. Whistleblowers
can face significant consequences, including retaliation and damage to relationships and
networks. However, whistleblowing can be morally justified when activities pose a
serious danger to human life.