ABSTRACT
That chemists claim true professional status raises important theoretical issues for students of professions and occupations, not all of whom would agree with this claim. The classic professions have their roots first of all in medieval universities. Even when social scientists discuss professions, they use definitions not so very different, although sometimes more elaborate, than those found in the dictionary and in common usage; and when their interest as professionals is aroused, they, too, write articles wherein professional status is claimed or denied. The decisions would rest partly upon definitional grounds; it would also be affected by assumptions made about the relationships of occupations to each other and about how professions have arisen. Most of the new professions, or would-be professions, are practiced only in connection with an institution.
