An Opportunity of Professional Capabilities

This formulation was used to define an obligation of power in Sen s account of political justice [17]. However, engineers rarely have the type of political power referred to by Sen. It is, therefore, proposed here to retain the definition but to refer instead to an opportunity cf professional capabilities. Such opportunity could be considered as a generalisation of the rule of rescue the compelling motivation to save endangered human life wherever possible. When we become aware of the need of others we are almost always free to walk away. Nevertheless, we are often moved to action by the challenge that confronts us. Such action is an ethical act, a response to the being who in a face speaks to the subject and tolerates only a personal response [18], as was discussed in Chap. 1. 

It should also be noted that this opportunity is practical rather than idealistic, for it concerns the serious consideration of feasible options and thus recognises that 

However, it will be helpful at this point to illustrate how the analysis presented so far may be applied. Thus, the next section considers the activities of a pioneer of 

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The idea of jus ante bellum has received very little attention, and then always from the viewpoint of military personnel. One appraisal has focused on the ethical education of personnel at a naval academy, ywj in disciplina bellica [36]. Another tentative proposal has suggested that it might be used as a term for the preparations necessary to produce a competent and effective military force capable of delivering just war [37]. However, the present proposal is much broader in scope and is concerned with the resources used in preparation for war, or to avert war. This consideration may also be viewed as an opportunity of professional capabilities, as described in Chap. 2, arising from the immense suffering which remains unalleviated as resources are diverted to the production of weapons. 

All professionals should understand that they have to take responsibility for their own employment security, and that it would be folly to program their careers within an organization that may exist only temporarily. Also, they must realize that their continued employment potential is being determined by whether their skills and capabilities are viewed by their employers as supportive in achieving entity goals. Transitions in recent years in the technical requirements for the practice of safety require that safety professionals expand their skills, and doing so results in their having additional opportunities to be perceived as more valued employees. 

Whatever the professional history of those now having expanded responsibilities for environmental affairs and occupational safety, an urgency developed for additional technical knowledge and skills, and for more effective capabilities in people relations and communications. As a matter of career development and job security, safety professionals should consider reaching out to take environmental affairs into their responsibilities. That spells opportunity. 

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