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Review and analyze the assignment instructions for a paper on professional ethics, focusing on the topic of trust in professionals as discussed by Christopher Meyers or on the topic of rule-following in professional responsibility as discussed by Michael Davis. The task involves explaining the main arguments of the chosen author, critically evaluating their validity, and providing a reasoned personal stance that engages with other class readings. The paper must include an introduction with a thesis statement, an explanation of the author’s arguments, a critical assessment with counterarguments or support, and a brief conclusion. Use credible sources, properly cite references, and ensure the essay has clear organization, proper grammar, and logical coherence.

Paper For Above instruction

In the realm of professional ethics, the concepts of trust and rule-following are fundamental to responsible conduct. Christopher Meyers, in his discussion of the structure and history of professions, argues that trust is inherently the default in professional relationships. Conversely, Michael Davis suggests that adhering to established rules suffices for responsible behavior, emphasizing a more deontological approach. This paper compares these perspectives, critically assesses their strengths and limitations, and concludes with an argument about which approach better promotes ethical conduct in professional settings.

Exploring Meyers’s argument, he asserts that the historical development and societal structure of professions engender a default expectation of trust. Meyers emphasizes that professions, such as medicine, law, or engineering, have specific training, established standards, and a societal role that collectively foster expectation of trustworthiness. One of Meyers’s key reasons is that the specialization and accountability embedded within professions create a moral obligation to serve clients’ well-being, reinforcing trust as a baseline assumption. For instance, Meyers cites the self-regulation and certification systems that serve as guarantees of competence, thereby bolstering public trust (Meyers, p. 15). Furthermore, the long-standing tradition of professional ethics codes and peer oversight mechanisms serve to sustain this trust, enabling professionals to act with presumed integrity absent constant scrutiny. These elements collectively produce an environment where trust, rather than detailed monitoring, is the default in professional-client interactions.

In evaluating Meyers’s argument, I find that his focus on societal structures and the internal mechanisms of professions provides a compelling explanation for the default assumption of trust. However, his argument presumes that these mechanisms are always effective and that professionals act in accordance with established standards. A relevant critique can be drawn from the reading by Michael Davis, who emphasizes rule-following as a sufficient basis for ethical behavior. Davis contends that responsible conduct predominantly hinges on professionals adhering to formal rules, which serve as explicit guidelines for behavior and accountability. He argues that well-crafted rules, interpreted appropriately, can serve as effective safeguards, sometimes even more reliable than societal trust, which can be undermined by misconduct or failure of oversight (Davis, p. 17). Nevertheless, Davis’s view potentially underestimates the importance of moral character and personal virtue—elements that Meyers believes are essential for fostering genuine trust—since rules alone may not prevent unethical behavior when individuals choose to violate standards or when oversight fails.

Building upon this comparison, my own stance is that Meyers’s emphasis on the societal and structural roots of trust captures vital elements of professional responsibility that rules alone may overlook. While strict adherence to rules, as Davis advocates, provides a tangible and enforceable framework, it does not necessarily cultivate the moral virtues that underpin trustworthiness. For example, a professional could technically follow rules but still act unethically in ways that violate the spirit of trust. Conversely, professionals who internalize trustworthiness and moral commitments tend to uphold standards even when no formal oversight is present, ensuring the kind of genuine trust that benefits client-professional relationships. A critique from the literature on virtue ethics supports this view; virtue ethics posits that character traits such as honesty, integrity, and compassion are central to ethical professionalism (Hursthouse, 1999). Therefore, while rules are necessary, they are insufficient without personal virtue, which fosters authentic trust beyond mere compliance (Hare, 1993).

Responding to a critique of Meyers’s emphasis on societal structures, one could argue that over-reliance on trust may be risky if societal mechanisms are compromised, such as in cases of corruption or systemic failure. However, integrating Meyers’s structural perspective with Davis’s rule-based approach offers a more comprehensive model. Rules can serve as formal safeguards that complement the moral virtues professionals develop internally; together, they create a resilient ethical framework. For instance, the American Medical Association’s code of ethics combines both principles of trust and strict procedural rules, exemplifying how structural elements reinforce personal virtues and vice versa (AMA, 2020).

In conclusion, while Davis’s rule-based approach offers clarity and enforceability, Meyers’s focus on the societal and structural foundations of trust provides a deeper understanding of the moral fabric underlying professional ethics. A responsible and ethical professional conduct is best achieved through an integrated approach that recognizes the importance of both formal rules and moral virtues. Trust, fostered by societal structures and internal character, remains the cornerstone of effective professional practice, ensuring that professional-client relationships are grounded in genuine ethical responsibility rather than mere compliance.

References

• American Medical Association. (2020). AMA Code of Medical Ethics. https://www.ama-assn.org/delivering-care/ama-code-medical-ethics
• Hare, R. M. (1993). Essays on Bioethics. Oxford University Press.
• Hursthouse, R. (1999). Virtue ethics. The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Ed. E. N. Zalta. https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/ethics-virtue/
• Davis, M. (2017). Professional Responsibility: Just Following the Rules? In C. Martin, W. Vaught, & R. C. Solomon (Eds.), Ethics Across the Professions (pp. 12-19). Oxford University Press.
• Meyers, C. (2017). The Professional Ethics Toolkit. In Ethics Across the Professions (pp. 15). Oxford University Press.