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Professional/Client Relationship and Morality

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Brian Ho
The Professions and Public Interest in American Life
Professor Willard/ T.A. Schmitt
Tuesday Session
2007 December 5

• Carefully distinguish between the “contract” and “covenant” understanding or model of the professional/client relationship. Which understanding makes a greater demand on the good moral character of the professional? Why? Take a reasoned position on whether or not the “covenant” understanding is more appropriate to the overall nature of that relationship.

Since the beginning of complex societies, the public has always been intrigued by the very broad idea of professionalism. And over the course of American history the age of information and computerization has paved the way for the public to gain a …show more content…

In addition the covenant relationship is based upon trust, not self interest because the relationship is expected to last longer and accomplish things of deeper importance. This is once again apparent in the doctor patient relationship. Though the doctor has set shifts for work, he must sometimes sacrifice his personal time to take care of his patients who are in direct need of his skill. So that in spite of his own self interest, he is willing to serve his patient no matter what in a covenant model. In this sense the two participants can build a strong foundation of trust which sometimes disregards the self interests of either group. Arguably where the contract relationship fails, the covenant succeeds. The contract which is invoked by self interest and not by trust, leads to what May calls a kind of minimalism. In the case of the professional, minimalism leads to excessive grudging, calculating, a lack in spontaneity, and leaves the professional caring more about himself than his client. Though this is the general nature of a contract relationship, in the case of the doctor, caring too little for the patient and too much for ones career can cause delayed treatment and cautious techniques that my be life threatening to the patient. Similarly, contracts can invoke maximalism. Once again in the case of the doctor, who is looking after his own interests, may order many scans and test that are unnecessary for the treatment of the patient. These overly

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