TOPIC 2: WHAT IS A PROFESSION?

WHAT IS A PROFESSION? When we are discussing a philosophical question, we have a certain approach or method of answering that question. You will do this on your writing assignment. First, Identify or state question: Here, the question is “What is a Profession?” Second, Identify the Possible Answers Here the answers might be any of a large number of jobs Third, State the Elements of the Answer? What rules do you have to follow to answer the question? Here, the rules are the definition of “Profession” which requires three things before a job is considered a profession. Fourth, Look back at your possible answers and decide whether any of them satisfy or meet all the elements of the answer you want Here, what of those jobs have all three things required in the definition of ‘profession”

STEP 1: IDENTIFY THE QUESTION What is a Profession?

STEP 2: POSSIBLE ANSWERS Cook Biologist Police Accountant Soccer Coach Doctor Lawyer

STEP 3: ELEMENTS OF THE ANSWER There are three Central Features of the Definition of “Profession” EXTENSIVE TRAINING SIGNIFICANT INTELLECTUAL COMPONENT IMPORTANT SERVICE TO THE OVERALL WELL-BEING OF SOCIETY

EXTENSIVE TRAINING What is extensive? (A lot, a lot, a lot). How much counts as a lot? Would the training you get on how to wash dishes for a restaurant count? Society has not really agreed on what counts as EXTENSIVE. At the very minimum, “extensive training” requires a 4-year degree. Why? 1. Variety of exposure – to other ideas, new information, challenges, skills, interactions with others who are different from you. 2. Variety of subjects/issues – not just specialized training in one area. 3. Variety of experiences – to broaden your ability to actually apply what you have learned. So, if a job can be gotten w/o a 4-yr degree (or equivalent), then it’s probably NOT a professional position.

PRACTICE: WHAT TRAINING DO THESE JOBS REQUIRE? IS IT EXTENSIVE? Computer Engineer (1) Chinese Pop Singer (2) Dentist (3) Firefighter (4) Astronaut (5) Photographer (6) Journalist (7) Flight Attendant (1) Nurse (2) Book Writer (3) Secretary (4) Fashion Designer (5) Business Manager (6) Architect (7)

SIGNIFICANT INTELLECTUAL COMPONENT Significant Intellectual Component has 2 parts: First, it means that the job involves a lot of independent thinking or decision-making. Would “Street-Sweeper” count? Probably not because you don’t have to think very hard to sweep a street. Second, it means that you think at a higher level than the average person. A grocery cashier has to think about how much the soda costs and how much they need to pay you back. So the job involves thinking, but it is the kind of thinking that anyone can do even without studying or research. A doctor on the other hand is in a job that requires upper-level or higher-level thinking.

SIGNIFICANT INTELLECTUAL COMPONENT The job must require upper-level independent thinking at two separate times or is doesn’t satisfy the requirement: When you are training or in education When you are actually working in the field.

Computer Engineer (1) Chinese Pop Singer (2) Dentist (3) Firefighter (4) Astronaut (5) Photographer (6) Journalist (7) Flight Attendant (1) Nurse (2) Book Writer (3) Secretary (4) Fashion Designer (5) Business Manager (6) Architect (7) Do these jobs involve a significant intellectual component (a lot of thinking) in both TRAINING & PRACTICE?

IMPORTANT SERVICE TO THE OVERALL WELL-BEING OF SOCIETY This means that the job has to fulfill a important or genuine need of society. What counts as “Important”? To answer this question, society has established a HIERARCHY OF NEEDS ~ the more basic or life-requiring the need is, the more Important it is. Which job satisfies a more important need that society has? Movie Producer Teacher

NEEDS HIERARCHY Biological Needs : most basic/required to survive: health, food, water, shelter Purpose of Life Needs : These are the things you need to accomplish your goals for life (marriage licencer, teacher) Lifestyle Requirements : Not required for you to survive in the world, but required for you to live nicely in your own society (car). Luxuries: Wants, not needs (Gucci Bag)

Computer Engineer (1) Chinese Pop Singer (2) Dentist (3) Firefighter (4) Astronaut (5) Photographer (6) Journalist (7) Flight Attendant (1) Nurse (2) Book Writer (3) Secretary (4) Fashion Designer (5) Business Manager (6) Architect (7) Do these jobs contribute to fulfilling/satisfying a need of society?

ELEMENTS OF THE ANSWER There are three parts to the Definition of “Profession” EXTENSIVE TRAINING SIGNIFICCANT INTELLECTUAL COMPONENT IMPORTANT SERVICE TO THE OVERALL WELL-BEING OF SOCIETY

Computer Engineer (1) Chinese Pop Singer (2) Dentist (3) Firefighter (4) Astronaut (5) Photographer (6) Journalist (7) Flight Attendant (1) Nurse (2) Book Writer (3) Secretary (4) Fashion Designer (5) Business Manager (6) Architect (7) Are These Jobs Professions? Do they have all three things?

THREE COMMON FEATURES In addition to the always required “Central Features,” there are three COMMON FEATURES of the definition of “Professional.” The common features are not always required, but they USUALLY are required. Credentialing Organization of Members Professional Autonomy

CREDENTIALING “Credentialing” means that a job requires credentials, licenses, or certifications. These are given to the professional by an authority (governmental or organizational) which shows you meet their requirements to work. Requirements can include: Tests Training Promises to be ethical in your work

Computer Engineer (1) Chinese Pop Singer (2) Dentist (3) Firefighter (4) Astronaut (5) Photographer (6) Journalist (7) Flight Attendant (1) Nurse (2) Book Writer (3) Secretary (4) Fashion Designer (5) Business Manager (6) Architect (7) Are These Jobs Professions? Do they have credentials?

ORGANIZATION OF MEMBERS Most professionals belong to a Professional Organization. This Organization is usually self-governing (which means the members control it). They elect officer or authority. This authority will give members rules or standards of behavior that you must follow to be part of the organization. If a member does not follow the rules, the member will face punishment. They tell the public/society about the rules, so society knows which members they can trust. ABA- law; NEA – teachers APPA-Counselors

Computer Engineer (1) Chinese Pop Singer (2) Dentist (3) Firefighter (4) Astronaut (5) Photographer (6) Journalist (7) Flight Attendant (1) Nurse (2) Book Writer (3) Secretary (4) Fashion Designer (5) Business Manager (6) Architect (7) Are These Jobs Professions? Do they have Organizations?

PROFESSIONAL AUTONOMY “Autonomy” means that you control your behavior yourself. “Professional Autonomy” means that you have a lot of control over your work. This means that you can: Decide what kind of work you do Set your own work hours Decide how you want to do your work.

Computer Engineer (1) Chinese Pop Singer (2) Dentist (3) Firefighter (4) Astronaut (5) Photographer (6) Journalist (7) Flight Attendant (1) Nurse (2) Book Writer (3) Secretary (4) Fashion Designer (5) Business Manager (6) Architect (7) Are These Jobs Professions? Do they have Professional Autonomy?

PROFESSIONS Must have: Extensive Training Significant Intellectual Training Benefit to Society USUALLY must have: Credentialing Organization of Members Professional Autonomy Need that they satisfy must be an IMPORTANT need, not a luxury.