ABSTRACT
This chapter suggests that readers view profession as an honorific symbol in use in society and analyze the characteristics of that symbol. Abraham Flexner set forth some criteria for distinguishing professions from other kinds of work. In his view, professional activity was basically intellectual, carrying with it great personal responsibility; it was learned, being based on great knowledge and not merely routine; it was practical, rather than academic or theoretic; its technique could be taught, this being the basis of professional education; it was strongly organized internally; and it was motivated by altruism, the professionals viewing themselves as working for some aspect of the good of society. The chapter argues that beneath the surface disagreements readers can find substantial agreement on a set of interconnected characteristics which symbolize a morally praiseworthy kind of occupational organization. This symbol is used in many ways, by different kinds of people for different purposes.
