ABSTRACT
This chapter presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book discusses the role of professions in society and how higher education programmes might best help prepare future professionals for practice. It makes a case for civic-mindedness as an essential overarching professional capability, and reacts to it arguing that in order to be civic-minded, and act in civic-minded ways, professionals also need to pay attention to their own self-cultivation. The book explores the knowledge necessary for responsible professional practice, distinguishing between instrumental, communicative and emancipatory knowledge. It considers several emotions that are deemed necessary to stabilise the principles, ideals or aspirations of a decent profession, the latter understood as one oriented towards contributing to greater social justice in the world. The book also addresses some of the challenges that make the enactment of a civic and especially democratic professionalism difficult for teachers and students on professional programmes.
