"Professionalism" is one of those late 20th century "modern" words that conveys the spirit of our age
Basically it means
Don't get angry when you feel like getting angry
Don't be unpleasant when you feel like being unpleasant
Don't get too close to people. Nor seem too remote
Basically it means
Don't get angry when you feel like getting angry
Don't be unpleasant when you feel like being unpleasant
Don't get too close to people. Nor seem too remote
I am not sure if the word "professionalism" was used in say 18th / 19th century
I doubt
That was an age when virtue was discussed and debated not in anti-septic terms
I doubt
That was an age when virtue was discussed and debated not in anti-septic terms
Discourse back then was never divorced from a religious understanding of a "good life"
E.g. Speak the truth. Be patient. Exhibit forbearance etc
These virtues were championed as they were regarded as inherently "good" as opposed to expedient traits that enable us to "get along"
E.g. Speak the truth. Be patient. Exhibit forbearance etc
These virtues were championed as they were regarded as inherently "good" as opposed to expedient traits that enable us to "get along"
What has changed in late 20th century is -
The religious dimension to informing us on what's virtuous and what isn't has sort of disappeared
Professionalism is not "positive" virtue in my view. But rather a set of guidelines that seek to remove conflict and discomfort
The religious dimension to informing us on what's virtuous and what isn't has sort of disappeared
Professionalism is not "positive" virtue in my view. But rather a set of guidelines that seek to remove conflict and discomfort
"Professionalism" in its essence is not something new.
It stems from the "Enlightenment" and notions of "state of nature" where all virtue arises from an instinct to get along and avoid internecine conflict
It stems from the "Enlightenment" and notions of "state of nature" where all virtue arises from an instinct to get along and avoid internecine conflict
This has its origins I suppose in Thomas Hobbes in 17th century
But mass culture and popular understanding of virtue was still religiously moored even 2-3 generations ago in my view
But mass culture and popular understanding of virtue was still religiously moored even 2-3 generations ago in my view
But now Enlightement philosophy has percolated to the masses, and you see that manifesting in "professionalism" rhetoric
Where there is no such thing as a good life. But merely "tactics" to advance in a group setting, without making many enemies
Where there is no such thing as a good life. But merely "tactics" to advance in a group setting, without making many enemies
Professionalism focuses not so much on what is the "right thing" to do
But on doing the "pleasing" thing
What's likely to avoid "confrontation" with your peers / boss / subordinates in the very short term
But on doing the "pleasing" thing
What's likely to avoid "confrontation" with your peers / boss / subordinates in the very short term
So it is in one sense a habit of privileging what is pleasing over what's right.
Preyas over Shreyas - to use terminology from Kathopanishad - an Indian text from 1st millennium BCE
Preyas over Shreyas - to use terminology from Kathopanishad - an Indian text from 1st millennium BCE
