P ROFESSIONALISM Assoc. Prof. Dr. Şehnaz Şahinkarakaş

P HILOSOPHY OF ETHICS (B ISHOP, 2004) Two modes of actions in Greek philosophy (Aristotle) i) do the right thing, in the right way at the right time pros : we understand that ethical decisions are complex: not only doing it right but also timing and manner of action is important cons : we don’t know how to figure out what is right; right manner or time ii) act the way a good or virtuous person would act in a given situation pros : it guides us to imagine a good person cons : how to pick out a good person

P HILOSOPHY OF ETHICS (B ISHOP, 2004) Two traditions from early modern developments i) satisfaction / utilitarianism : We act considering the greatest amount of satisfaction or utility over anyone that is affected (achieving maximum satisfaction) pros : comfortable to talk about the satisfaction or utilities (they can be measured and quantified) than talk about rights or freedom violated) cons : (a) success is not measured only by satisfaction, but measured by achieving the worthy ends (b) all satisfactions are accepted to be equal; i.e., dominating others is not different from helping others (e.g. a married couple’s preference for privacy is accepted to be the same as a gas company’s preference to pollute) (c) has a narrow view of equality: distribution or resources are considered according to the satisfaction a person has, not the capacities of separate persons

P HILOSOPHY OF ETHICS (B ISHOP, 2004) ii) Kantianism : determining ethical conducts not as satisfaction, but as ideals of universal law and respect for others; i.e., trying to see the rightness or wrongness of an act in itself pros : accepted to be pioneer in modern ethical thinking cons : not instrumental in developing an adequate professional ethics BUT, Kant’s ethical thoughts are important while thinking about a professional ethics

K ANTIANISM AND L ANGUAGE T ESTING Two reasons/minds: Theoretical reason : understanding objects as they are given to us; it assesses the ways things are Practical reason : constructing objects according to a conception of them; it decides how the world should be and what individuals should do (constructivism) For language testers Theoretical reason : measuring the degree of language competence as it is given to them (a reliable and valid test) (WHAT to measure?) Practical reason : thinking about how to construct objects according to a certain conception; i.e., thinking of a way to measure that language competence and the appropriate uses of those measures (responsible and ethical use of tests) (HOW to measure it?)

W HY ARE OBJECTS CONSTRUCTED BY PRACTICAL REASON ? (B ISHOP, 2004) 1. They are not found or discovered in the world: we form an idea and we construct a system 2. They affect the way institutions and people develop and they are bound to change 3. They have certain contents that limit what can count an ethical value

D ISCUSSION For Kant, guides to ethical actions are constructed (Constructivism) Then can we say that ethics is constructed? And can we say standardized tests, although valid and reliable, are ethical?

P ROFESSIONAL MORALITY A professional morality provides ‘ a contract for the profession and the individual with the public ’ (Davies, 1997) What are the three moralities (Davies, 1997; Hamp-Lyons, 2000) Public/Social (large social issues; e.g. Capital punisment) Professional (codes, contracts, professional training) Individual (issues of conscience)

P ROFESSIONALISM AS A COMMUNITY OF PRACTITIONERS Testing Practitioners!! ‘ Each individual tester counts himself/herself as part of a community of practitioners, and so engages in discussion, debate and research that leads to progress ’ (coursebook, p. 138) Do you agree?

I NDIVIDUALITY (1) ‘ Each individual has a critical role to challenge the community to question its currently accepted position ’ (coursebook, p. 140) In an ethical community, individuals question their positions constantly (instead of accepting things as they are) i.e. They listen to OTHERS! And consider seriously what THEY THINK!

I NDIVIDUALITY (2) Then what is the role of a language tester in the professional community? Being neither ‘subservient to nor independent from the society’ (coursebook, p. 141) ‘ What is public (or indeed professional) and what is individual is not stable: what for me my well be a matter of individual ethics (or morality) may for others…be a matter of public concern ’ (Davies, 1997) Then, is it possible to say that ethics is bound to change in time?

Language testers should ensure a balance between the professional ethical code and the individual moral conscience. Is it possible to have a conflict between individual morality and professional ethics? Give reasons Have you ever been bothered by conflict between a professional ethic and your own moral consciousness? Discuss with your friends. What did you do? How did you feel? …

Write 1-2 paragraphs in which you define what Professional Ethics is in LTA