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Overview
Provenance Draft

PASS 3: Temporal Dynamics

Case 103: Conflict of Interest - Part-Time Service as City Engineer

24 entities 7 actions 3 events 6 causal chains 7 temporal relations
Timeline Overview
Action Event 10 sequenced markers
Own Plan Approval Recurring, when project plans he prepared come before him for approval
Part-Time Retention Acceptance Outset of the engagement, initial arrangement
Client Service Framing At the outset of the engagement
Project Commission Retention Recurring, after the initial part-time retention, when specific city projects arise
Project Commission Acceptance Recurring, whenever the city council retains him for a specific project
Independent Review Waiver Ongoing, inferred from the arrangement as it operates
Advisory Recommendation Continuing, at each recommendation to the city council
Dual Capacity Arising Upon the engineer's acceptance of a project commission while serving as retained city engineer
Fee Compensation Following each project commission retention by the city council
Self-Interest Risk Arising Whenever a project on which the engineer advises could result in a commission for him
OWL-Time Temporal Structure 7 relations time: = w3.org/2006/time
retention as part-time city engineer time:intervalBefore retention to prepare plans and specifications for a specific city project
preparation of plans and specifications for specific projects time:intervalDuring ongoing part-time city engineer retainer
full-time private practice time:intervalOverlaps part-time service as city engineer
engineer's preparation of his own plans time:intervalBefore engineer passing judgment on (approving) those plans as city engineer
engineer's advice/recommendation to the city on a project time:intervalBefore city council approval of the project
city council approval of a project time:intervalBefore engineer securing a commission for that project
client's waiver of its right to independent review time:intervalBefore engineer acting in dual capacity approving his own plans
Extracted Actions (7)
Volitional professional decisions with intentions and ethical context

Description: The professional engineer, engaged in full-time private practice, accepts part-time retention by the small community to serve as city engineer, advising the council, offering recommendations, and approving plans.

Temporal Marker: Outset of the engagement, initial arrangement interval

Fluent Transitions:
Initiates (1)
  • Part-Time City Engineer Retention

Mental State: deliberate

Intended Outcome: Provide ongoing engineering advisory and approval services to the community alongside his private practice

Foreseen Unintended Effects:

  • Potential future situations of passing on his own work if retained for city projects
Guided By Principles:
  • Undivided Loyalty
Required Capabilities:
Engineering advisory judgment Plan review and approval competence
Within Competence: Yes
Field classification (triples vs literals)
Relations (structural triples)
  • guidedByPrinciple: Undivided Loyalty
  • requiresCapability: Engineering advisory judgment; Plan review and approval competence
  • initiates: Part-Time City Engineer Retention
Literal extractions (kept for synthesis)
  • description content: The professional engineer, engaged in full-time private practice, accepts part-time retention by the small community to serve as city engineer, advising the council, offering recommendations, and approving plans.
  • hasAgent content: City Engineer
  • temporalMarker content: Outset of the engagement, initial arrangement
  • eventRoleContext content: City Engineer, private practitioner
  • hasMentalState content: deliberate
  • intendedOutcome content: Provide ongoing engineering advisory and approval services to the community alongside his private practice
  • foreseenUnintendedEffects content: Potential future situations of passing on his own work if retained for city projects
  • textReferences content: A small community retains a professional engineer on a part-time basis to serve as city engineer.; The duties for the city usually include advising the city council on engineering problems, offering recommendations on engineering project considerations and approving plans for engineering processes and works.
  • temporalExtent content: interval
  • temporalSequence content: 1
  • withinCompetence assessment: True
RDF JSON-LD 
{
  "@context": {
    "proeth": "http://proethica.org/ontology/intermediate#",
    "proeth-case": "http://proethica.org/ontology/case/103#",
    "rdf": "http://www.w3.org/1999/02/22-rdf-syntax-ns#",
    "rdfs": "http://www.w3.org/2000/01/rdf-schema#",
    "time": "http://www.w3.org/2006/time#"
  },
  "@id": "http://proethica.org/ontology/case/103#Action_Part-Time_Retention_Acceptance",
  "@type": "proeth:Action",
  "proeth:description": "The professional engineer, engaged in full-time private practice, accepts part-time retention by the small community to serve as city engineer, advising the council, offering recommendations, and approving plans.",
  "proeth:eventRoleContext": "City Engineer, private practitioner",
  "proeth:foreseenUnintendedEffects": [
    "Potential future situations of passing on his own work if retained for city projects"
  ],
  "proeth:guidedByPrinciple": [
    "Undivided Loyalty"
  ],
  "proeth:hasAgent": "City Engineer",
  "proeth:hasMentalState": "deliberate",
  "proeth:initiates": [
    "Part-Time City Engineer Retention"
  ],
  "proeth:intendedOutcome": "Provide ongoing engineering advisory and approval services to the community alongside his private practice",
  "proeth:requiresCapability": [
    "Engineering advisory judgment",
    "Plan review and approval competence"
  ],
  "proeth:temporalExtent": "interval",
  "proeth:temporalMarker": "Outset of the engagement, initial arrangement",
  "proeth:temporalSequence": 1,
  "proeth:textReferences": [
    "A small community retains a professional engineer on a part-time basis to serve as city engineer.",
    "The duties for the city usually include advising the city council on engineering problems, offering recommendations on engineering project considerations and approving plans for engineering processes and works."
  ],
  "proeth:withinCompetence": true,
  "rdfs:label": "Part-Time Retention Acceptance"
}

Description: The engineer chooses to treat his part-time service to the community as service to a client rather than as salaried employment, which shapes how the Canons and Rules apply to the arrangement.

Temporal Marker: At the outset of the engagement instant

Fluent Transitions:
Initiates (1)
  • Consultant-Client Relationship

Mental State: deliberate

Intended Outcome: Maintain a consultant-client relationship with the city consistent with his private practice

Required Capabilities:
Understanding of professional engagement structures
Within Competence: Yes
Field classification (triples vs literals)
Relations (structural triples)
  • requiresCapability: Understanding of professional engagement structures
  • initiates: Consultant-Client Relationship
Literal extractions (kept for synthesis)
  • description content: The engineer chooses to treat his part-time service to the community as service to a client rather than as salaried employment, which shapes how the Canons and Rules apply to the arrangement.
  • hasAgent content: City Engineer
  • temporalMarker content: At the outset of the engagement
  • eventRoleContext content: City Engineer, private practitioner
  • hasMentalState content: deliberate
  • intendedOutcome content: Maintain a consultant-client relationship with the city consistent with his private practice
  • textReferences content: The professional engineer holding this position is engaged in full-time private practice and treats his part-time service to the community as service to a client.
  • temporalExtent content: instant
  • temporalSequence content: 2
  • withinCompetence assessment: True
RDF JSON-LD 
{
  "@context": {
    "proeth": "http://proethica.org/ontology/intermediate#",
    "proeth-case": "http://proethica.org/ontology/case/103#",
    "rdf": "http://www.w3.org/1999/02/22-rdf-syntax-ns#",
    "rdfs": "http://www.w3.org/2000/01/rdf-schema#",
    "time": "http://www.w3.org/2006/time#"
  },
  "@id": "http://proethica.org/ontology/case/103#Action_Client_Service_Framing",
  "@type": "proeth:Action",
  "proeth:description": "The engineer chooses to treat his part-time service to the community as service to a client rather than as salaried employment, which shapes how the Canons and Rules apply to the arrangement.",
  "proeth:eventRoleContext": "City Engineer, private practitioner",
  "proeth:hasAgent": "City Engineer",
  "proeth:hasMentalState": "deliberate",
  "proeth:initiates": [
    "Consultant-Client Relationship"
  ],
  "proeth:intendedOutcome": "Maintain a consultant-client relationship with the city consistent with his private practice",
  "proeth:requiresCapability": [
    "Understanding of professional engagement structures"
  ],
  "proeth:temporalExtent": "instant",
  "proeth:temporalMarker": "At the outset of the engagement",
  "proeth:temporalSequence": 2,
  "proeth:textReferences": [
    "The professional engineer holding this position is engaged in full-time private practice and treats his part-time service to the community as service to a client."
  ],
  "proeth:withinCompetence": true,
  "rdfs:label": "Client Service Framing"
}

Description: In his ongoing city engineer capacity, the engineer advises the city council and recommends approval of projects, including projects for which the council may then retain him for design, requiring him to avoid prejudicing his advice for personal gain.

Temporal Marker: Continuing, at each recommendation to the city council interval

Mental State: deliberate

Intended Outcome: Provide sound engineering guidance to the city council on projects under consideration

Foreseen Unintended Effects:

  • Approval by the city council may lead to his securing a commission for that project
Obligation Engagement:
Fulfills (1)
  • Duty to Avoid Prejudicing Advice (Rule 13)
Guided By Principles:
  • Undivided Loyalty
Required Capabilities:
Engineering advisory judgment Objective project evaluation
Within Competence: Yes
Field classification (triples vs literals)
Relations (structural triples)
  • fulfillsObligation: Duty to Avoid Prejudicing Advice (Rule 13)
  • guidedByPrinciple: Undivided Loyalty
  • requiresCapability: Engineering advisory judgment; Objective project evaluation
Literal extractions (kept for synthesis)
  • description content: In his ongoing city engineer capacity, the engineer advises the city council and recommends approval of projects, including projects for which the council may then retain him for design, requiring him to avoid prejudicing his advice for personal gain.
  • hasAgent content: City Engineer
  • temporalMarker content: Continuing, at each recommendation to the city council
  • eventRoleContext content: City Engineer, private practitioner
  • hasMentalState content: deliberate
  • intendedOutcome content: Provide sound engineering guidance to the city council on projects under consideration
  • foreseenUnintendedEffects content: Approval by the city council may lead to his securing a commission for that project
  • textReferences content: the engineer has a duty because of his dual capacity to avoid prejudicing his advice to the city on the project under consideration because its approval by the city council may lead to his securing a commission for that project; an engineer in these circumstances should be doubly careful in studying and recommending approval of a project for which the city council must look to him for guidance
  • temporalExtent content: interval
  • temporalSequence content: 3
  • withinCompetence assessment: True
RDF JSON-LD 
{
  "@context": {
    "proeth": "http://proethica.org/ontology/intermediate#",
    "proeth-case": "http://proethica.org/ontology/case/103#",
    "rdf": "http://www.w3.org/1999/02/22-rdf-syntax-ns#",
    "rdfs": "http://www.w3.org/2000/01/rdf-schema#",
    "time": "http://www.w3.org/2006/time#"
  },
  "@id": "http://proethica.org/ontology/case/103#Action_Advisory_Recommendation",
  "@type": "proeth:Action",
  "proeth:description": "In his ongoing city engineer capacity, the engineer advises the city council and recommends approval of projects, including projects for which the council may then retain him for design, requiring him to avoid prejudicing his advice for personal gain.",
  "proeth:eventRoleContext": "City Engineer, private practitioner",
  "proeth:foreseenUnintendedEffects": [
    "Approval by the city council may lead to his securing a commission for that project"
  ],
  "proeth:fulfillsObligation": [
    "Duty to Avoid Prejudicing Advice (Rule 13)"
  ],
  "proeth:guidedByPrinciple": [
    "Undivided Loyalty"
  ],
  "proeth:hasAgent": "City Engineer",
  "proeth:hasMentalState": "deliberate",
  "proeth:intendedOutcome": "Provide sound engineering guidance to the city council on projects under consideration",
  "proeth:raisesObligation": [],
  "proeth:requiresCapability": [
    "Engineering advisory judgment",
    "Objective project evaluation"
  ],
  "proeth:temporalExtent": "interval",
  "proeth:temporalMarker": "Continuing, at each recommendation to the city council",
  "proeth:temporalSequence": 3,
  "proeth:textReferences": [
    "the engineer has a duty because of his dual capacity to avoid prejudicing his advice to the city on the project under consideration because its approval by the city council may lead to his securing a commission for that project",
    "an engineer in these circumstances should be doubly careful in studying and recommending approval of a project for which the city council must look to him for guidance"
  ],
  "proeth:violatesObligation": [],
  "proeth:withinCompetence": true,
  "rdfs:label": "Advisory Recommendation"
}

Description: The city council additionally retains the same engineer for the preparation of plans and specifications for a city project, compensating him on a normal professional fee basis above his monthly retainer.

Temporal Marker: Recurring, after the initial part-time retention, when specific city projects arise instant

Fluent Transitions:
Initiates (1)
  • Dual Capacity

Mental State: deliberate

Intended Outcome: Obtain plans and specifications for city projects from the engineer already familiar with the city's needs

Foreseen Unintended Effects:

  • The engineer would pass on the adequacy of his own plans in his capacity as city engineer
Within Competence: Yes
Field classification (triples vs literals)
Relations (structural triples)
  • initiates: Dual Capacity
Literal extractions (kept for synthesis)
  • description content: The city council additionally retains the same engineer for the preparation of plans and specifications for a city project, compensating him on a normal professional fee basis above his monthly retainer.
  • hasAgent content: City Council
  • temporalMarker content: Recurring, after the initial part-time retention, when specific city projects arise
  • eventRoleContext content: client
  • hasMentalState content: deliberate
  • intendedOutcome content: Obtain plans and specifications for city projects from the engineer already familiar with the city's needs
  • foreseenUnintendedEffects content: The engineer would pass on the adequacy of his own plans in his capacity as city engineer
  • textReferences content: the professional engineer may be retained by the city council for the preparation of plans and specifications for a city project. In such cases, he is compensated on a normal professional fee basis over and above his monthly retainer.
  • temporalExtent content: instant
  • temporalSequence content: 5
  • withinCompetence assessment: True
RDF JSON-LD 
{
  "@context": {
    "proeth": "http://proethica.org/ontology/intermediate#",
    "proeth-case": "http://proethica.org/ontology/case/103#",
    "rdf": "http://www.w3.org/1999/02/22-rdf-syntax-ns#",
    "rdfs": "http://www.w3.org/2000/01/rdf-schema#",
    "time": "http://www.w3.org/2006/time#"
  },
  "@id": "http://proethica.org/ontology/case/103#Action_Project_Commission_Retention",
  "@type": "proeth:Action",
  "proeth:description": "The city council additionally retains the same engineer for the preparation of plans and specifications for a city project, compensating him on a normal professional fee basis above his monthly retainer.",
  "proeth:eventRoleContext": "client",
  "proeth:foreseenUnintendedEffects": [
    "The engineer would pass on the adequacy of his own plans in his capacity as city engineer"
  ],
  "proeth:hasAgent": "City Council",
  "proeth:hasMentalState": "deliberate",
  "proeth:initiates": [
    "Dual Capacity"
  ],
  "proeth:intendedOutcome": "Obtain plans and specifications for city projects from the engineer already familiar with the city\u0027s needs",
  "proeth:temporalExtent": "instant",
  "proeth:temporalMarker": "Recurring, after the initial part-time retention, when specific city projects arise",
  "proeth:temporalSequence": 5,
  "proeth:textReferences": [
    "the professional engineer may be retained by the city council for the preparation of plans and specifications for a city project. In such cases, he is compensated on a normal professional fee basis over and above his monthly retainer."
  ],
  "proeth:withinCompetence": true,
  "rdfs:label": "Project Commission Retention"
}

Description: The engineer accepts project design commissions from the same city he serves as reviewing and approving city engineer, placing himself in the position of passing on the adequacy of his own plans.

Temporal Marker: Recurring, whenever the city council retains him for a specific project interval

Fluent Transitions:
Initiates (2)
  • Dual Capacity
  • Self-Interest in Project Approval

Mental State: deliberate

Intended Outcome: Earn professional fees for design work beyond the monthly retainer

Foreseen Unintended Effects:

  • Passing engineering judgment on his own plans in his city engineer capacity
  • Approval of a project by the council may lead to his securing a commission for that project
Guided By Principles:
  • Undivided Loyalty
Required Capabilities:
Design of plans and specifications Self-assessment of own work
Within Competence: Yes
Field classification (triples vs literals)
Relations (structural triples)
  • guidedByPrinciple: Undivided Loyalty
  • requiresCapability: Design of plans and specifications; Self-assessment of own work
  • initiates: Dual Capacity; Self-Interest in Project Approval
Literal extractions (kept for synthesis)
  • description content: The engineer accepts project design commissions from the same city he serves as reviewing and approving city engineer, placing himself in the position of passing on the adequacy of his own plans.
  • hasAgent content: City Engineer
  • temporalMarker content: Recurring, whenever the city council retains him for a specific project
  • eventRoleContext content: City Engineer, private practitioner
  • hasMentalState content: deliberate
  • intendedOutcome content: Earn professional fees for design work beyond the monthly retainer
  • foreseenUnintendedEffects content: Passing engineering judgment on his own plans in his city engineer capacity; Approval of a project by the council may lead to his securing a commission for that project
  • textReferences content: he is compensated on a normal professional fee basis over and above his monthly retainer; the engineer is acting in a dual capacity, but not a divided one
  • temporalExtent content: interval
  • temporalSequence content: 6
  • withinCompetence assessment: True
RDF JSON-LD 
{
  "@context": {
    "proeth": "http://proethica.org/ontology/intermediate#",
    "proeth-case": "http://proethica.org/ontology/case/103#",
    "rdf": "http://www.w3.org/1999/02/22-rdf-syntax-ns#",
    "rdfs": "http://www.w3.org/2000/01/rdf-schema#",
    "time": "http://www.w3.org/2006/time#"
  },
  "@id": "http://proethica.org/ontology/case/103#Action_Project_Commission_Acceptance",
  "@type": "proeth:Action",
  "proeth:description": "The engineer accepts project design commissions from the same city he serves as reviewing and approving city engineer, placing himself in the position of passing on the adequacy of his own plans.",
  "proeth:eventRoleContext": "City Engineer, private practitioner",
  "proeth:foreseenUnintendedEffects": [
    "Passing engineering judgment on his own plans in his city engineer capacity",
    "Approval of a project by the council may lead to his securing a commission for that project"
  ],
  "proeth:guidedByPrinciple": [
    "Undivided Loyalty"
  ],
  "proeth:hasAgent": "City Engineer",
  "proeth:hasMentalState": "deliberate",
  "proeth:initiates": [
    "Dual Capacity",
    "Self-Interest in Project Approval"
  ],
  "proeth:intendedOutcome": "Earn professional fees for design work beyond the monthly retainer",
  "proeth:requiresCapability": [
    "Design of plans and specifications",
    "Self-assessment of own work"
  ],
  "proeth:temporalExtent": "interval",
  "proeth:temporalMarker": "Recurring, whenever the city council retains him for a specific project",
  "proeth:temporalSequence": 6,
  "proeth:textReferences": [
    "he is compensated on a normal professional fee basis over and above his monthly retainer",
    "the engineer is acting in a dual capacity, but not a divided one"
  ],
  "proeth:withinCompetence": true,
  "rdfs:label": "Project Commission Acceptance"
}

Description: The city implicitly waives its right to have the engineer's plans reviewed by another engineer employed or retained by the client, relying instead on the same engineer in his city engineer capacity.

Temporal Marker: Ongoing, inferred from the arrangement as it operates interval

Fluent Transitions:
Initiates (1)
  • Independent Review Waived

Mental State: deliberate

Intended Outcome: Rely on its retained city engineer for plan review rather than engaging a separate reviewing engineer

Foreseen Unintended Effects:

  • The engineer passes on the adequacy of his own plans
Within Competence: Yes
Field classification (triples vs literals)
Relations (structural triples)
  • initiates: Independent Review Waived
Literal extractions (kept for synthesis)
  • description content: The city implicitly waives its right to have the engineer's plans reviewed by another engineer employed or retained by the client, relying instead on the same engineer in his city engineer capacity.
  • hasAgent content: City
  • temporalMarker content: Ongoing, inferred from the arrangement as it operates
  • eventRoleContext content: client, through the city council
  • hasMentalState content: deliberate
  • intendedOutcome content: Rely on its retained city engineer for plan review rather than engaging a separate reviewing engineer
  • foreseenUnintendedEffects content: The engineer passes on the adequacy of his own plans
  • textReferences content: The client has such a right of review by its own engineer, but it may waive its right, as it has obviously done in this case.
  • temporalExtent content: interval
  • temporalSequence content: 9
  • withinCompetence assessment: True
RDF JSON-LD 
{
  "@context": {
    "proeth": "http://proethica.org/ontology/intermediate#",
    "proeth-case": "http://proethica.org/ontology/case/103#",
    "rdf": "http://www.w3.org/1999/02/22-rdf-syntax-ns#",
    "rdfs": "http://www.w3.org/2000/01/rdf-schema#",
    "time": "http://www.w3.org/2006/time#"
  },
  "@id": "http://proethica.org/ontology/case/103#Action_Independent_Review_Waiver",
  "@type": "proeth:Action",
  "proeth:description": "The city implicitly waives its right to have the engineer\u0027s plans reviewed by another engineer employed or retained by the client, relying instead on the same engineer in his city engineer capacity.",
  "proeth:eventRoleContext": "client, through the city council",
  "proeth:foreseenUnintendedEffects": [
    "The engineer passes on the adequacy of his own plans"
  ],
  "proeth:hasAgent": "City",
  "proeth:hasMentalState": "deliberate",
  "proeth:initiates": [
    "Independent Review Waived"
  ],
  "proeth:intendedOutcome": "Rely on its retained city engineer for plan review rather than engaging a separate reviewing engineer",
  "proeth:temporalExtent": "interval",
  "proeth:temporalMarker": "Ongoing, inferred from the arrangement as it operates",
  "proeth:temporalSequence": 9,
  "proeth:textReferences": [
    "The client has such a right of review by its own engineer, but it may waive its right, as it has obviously done in this case."
  ],
  "proeth:withinCompetence": true,
  "rdfs:label": "Independent Review Waiver"
}

Description: In his capacity as city engineer, the engineer passes on the adequacy of the plans he himself prepared as a retained consultant for city projects.

Temporal Marker: Recurring, when project plans he prepared come before him for approval interval

Fluent Transitions:
Initiates (1)
  • Self-Review Condition

Mental State: deliberate

Intended Outcome: Fulfill his city engineer duty of approving plans for engineering processes and works

Foreseen Unintended Effects:

  • Judging the adequacy of his own work without independent review
Guided By Principles:
  • Undivided Loyalty
Required Capabilities:
Plan review and approval competence Impartial self-assessment
Within Competence: Yes
Field classification (triples vs literals)
Relations (structural triples)
  • guidedByPrinciple: Undivided Loyalty
  • requiresCapability: Plan review and approval competence; Impartial self-assessment
  • initiates: Self-Review Condition
Literal extractions (kept for synthesis)
  • description content: In his capacity as city engineer, the engineer passes on the adequacy of the plans he himself prepared as a retained consultant for city projects.
  • hasAgent content: City Engineer
  • temporalMarker content: Recurring, when project plans he prepared come before him for approval
  • eventRoleContext content: City Engineer, private practitioner
  • hasMentalState content: deliberate
  • intendedOutcome content: Fulfill his city engineer duty of approving plans for engineering processes and works
  • foreseenUnintendedEffects content: Judging the adequacy of his own work without independent review
  • textReferences content: There is still left for decision, however, the practical question of the engineer passing on the adequacy of his own plans in his capacity as city engineer.
  • temporalExtent content: interval
  • temporalSequence content: 10
  • withinCompetence assessment: True
RDF JSON-LD 
{
  "@context": {
    "proeth": "http://proethica.org/ontology/intermediate#",
    "proeth-case": "http://proethica.org/ontology/case/103#",
    "rdf": "http://www.w3.org/1999/02/22-rdf-syntax-ns#",
    "rdfs": "http://www.w3.org/2000/01/rdf-schema#",
    "time": "http://www.w3.org/2006/time#"
  },
  "@id": "http://proethica.org/ontology/case/103#Action_Own_Plan_Approval",
  "@type": "proeth:Action",
  "proeth:description": "In his capacity as city engineer, the engineer passes on the adequacy of the plans he himself prepared as a retained consultant for city projects.",
  "proeth:eventRoleContext": "City Engineer, private practitioner",
  "proeth:foreseenUnintendedEffects": [
    "Judging the adequacy of his own work without independent review"
  ],
  "proeth:guidedByPrinciple": [
    "Undivided Loyalty"
  ],
  "proeth:hasAgent": "City Engineer",
  "proeth:hasMentalState": "deliberate",
  "proeth:initiates": [
    "Self-Review Condition"
  ],
  "proeth:intendedOutcome": "Fulfill his city engineer duty of approving plans for engineering processes and works",
  "proeth:requiresCapability": [
    "Plan review and approval competence",
    "Impartial self-assessment"
  ],
  "proeth:temporalExtent": "interval",
  "proeth:temporalMarker": "Recurring, when project plans he prepared come before him for approval",
  "proeth:temporalSequence": 10,
  "proeth:textReferences": [
    "There is still left for decision, however, the practical question of the engineer passing on the adequacy of his own plans in his capacity as city engineer."
  ],
  "proeth:withinCompetence": true,
  "rdfs:label": "Own Plan Approval"
}
Extracted Events (3)
Occurrences that trigger ethical considerations and state changes

Description: Because the engineer advises the city council on projects whose approval may lead to his securing a design commission, a condition of potential self-interest in his advice arises whenever such a project is under consideration.

Temporal Marker: Whenever a project on which the engineer advises could result in a commission for him interval

Fluent Transitions:
Initiates (1)
  • Potential Self-Interest State

Caused By Action: Action_Part-Time_Retention_Acceptance

Field classification (triples vs literals)
Relations (structural triples)
  • causedByAction: http://proethica.org/ontology/case/103#Action_Part-Time_Retention_Acceptance
  • initiates: Potential Self-Interest State
Literal extractions (kept for synthesis)
  • description content: Because the engineer advises the city council on projects whose approval may lead to his securing a design commission, a condition of potential self-interest in his advice arises whenever such a project is under consideration.
  • temporalMarker content: Whenever a project on which the engineer advises could result in a commission for him
  • textReferences content: the engineer has a duty because of his dual capacity to avoid prejudicing his advice to the city on the project under consideration because its approval by the city council may lead to his securing a commission for that project
  • eventType content: automatic
  • temporalExtent content: interval
  • temporalSequence content: 4
  • confidence assessment: 0.85
RDF JSON-LD 
{
  "@context": {
    "proeth": "http://proethica.org/ontology/intermediate#",
    "proeth-case": "http://proethica.org/ontology/case/103#",
    "rdf": "http://www.w3.org/1999/02/22-rdf-syntax-ns#",
    "rdfs": "http://www.w3.org/2000/01/rdf-schema#",
    "time": "http://www.w3.org/2006/time#"
  },
  "@id": "http://proethica.org/ontology/case/103#Event_Self-Interest_Risk_Arising",
  "@type": "proeth:Event",
  "proeth:causedByAction": "http://proethica.org/ontology/case/103#Action_Part-Time_Retention_Acceptance",
  "proeth:confidence": "0.85",
  "proeth:description": "Because the engineer advises the city council on projects whose approval may lead to his securing a design commission, a condition of potential self-interest in his advice arises whenever such a project is under consideration.",
  "proeth:eventType": "automatic",
  "proeth:initiates": [
    "Potential Self-Interest State"
  ],
  "proeth:temporalExtent": "interval",
  "proeth:temporalMarker": "Whenever a project on which the engineer advises could result in a commission for him",
  "proeth:temporalSequence": 4,
  "proeth:textReferences": [
    "the engineer has a duty because of his dual capacity to avoid prejudicing his advice to the city on the project under consideration because its approval by the city council may lead to his securing a commission for that project"
  ],
  "rdfs:label": "Self-Interest Risk Arising"
}

Description: When the engineer is retained for the preparation of plans and specifications for a city project, he is compensated on a normal professional fee basis over and above his monthly retainer, per the terms of the arrangement.

Temporal Marker: Following each project commission retention by the city council interval

Fluent Transitions:
Initiates (1)
  • Additional Compensation State

Caused By Action: Action_Project_Commission_Retention

Field classification (triples vs literals)
Relations (structural triples)
  • causedByAction: http://proethica.org/ontology/case/103#Action_Project_Commission_Retention
  • initiates: Additional Compensation State
Literal extractions (kept for synthesis)
  • description content: When the engineer is retained for the preparation of plans and specifications for a city project, he is compensated on a normal professional fee basis over and above his monthly retainer, per the terms of the arrangement.
  • temporalMarker content: Following each project commission retention by the city council
  • textReferences content: In such cases, he is compensated on a normal professional fee basis over and above his monthly retainer.
  • eventType content: automatic
  • temporalExtent content: interval
  • temporalSequence content: 7
  • confidence assessment: 0.82
RDF JSON-LD 
{
  "@context": {
    "proeth": "http://proethica.org/ontology/intermediate#",
    "proeth-case": "http://proethica.org/ontology/case/103#",
    "rdf": "http://www.w3.org/1999/02/22-rdf-syntax-ns#",
    "rdfs": "http://www.w3.org/2000/01/rdf-schema#",
    "time": "http://www.w3.org/2006/time#"
  },
  "@id": "http://proethica.org/ontology/case/103#Event_Fee_Compensation",
  "@type": "proeth:Event",
  "proeth:causedByAction": "http://proethica.org/ontology/case/103#Action_Project_Commission_Retention",
  "proeth:confidence": "0.82",
  "proeth:description": "When the engineer is retained for the preparation of plans and specifications for a city project, he is compensated on a normal professional fee basis over and above his monthly retainer, per the terms of the arrangement.",
  "proeth:eventType": "automatic",
  "proeth:initiates": [
    "Additional Compensation State"
  ],
  "proeth:temporalExtent": "interval",
  "proeth:temporalMarker": "Following each project commission retention by the city council",
  "proeth:temporalSequence": 7,
  "proeth:textReferences": [
    "In such cases, he is compensated on a normal professional fee basis over and above his monthly retainer."
  ],
  "rdfs:label": "Fee Compensation"
}

Description: Once the engineer, already serving as part-time city engineer, is additionally retained to prepare plans and specifications for a city project, a dual capacity situation comes into being in which he passes on the adequacy of his own plans in his city engineer role.

Temporal Marker: Upon the engineer's acceptance of a project commission while serving as retained city engineer interval

Fluent Transitions:
Initiates (2)
  • Dual Capacity State
  • Self-Review Situation

Caused By Action: Action_Project_Commission_Acceptance

Field classification (triples vs literals)
Relations (structural triples)
  • causedByAction: http://proethica.org/ontology/case/103#Action_Project_Commission_Acceptance
  • initiates: Dual Capacity State; Self-Review Situation
Literal extractions (kept for synthesis)
  • description content: Once the engineer, already serving as part-time city engineer, is additionally retained to prepare plans and specifications for a city project, a dual capacity situation comes into being in which he passes on the adequacy of his own plans in his city engineer role.
  • temporalMarker content: Upon the engineer's acceptance of a project commission while serving as retained city engineer
  • textReferences content: There is still left for decision, however, the practical question of the engineer passing on the adequacy of his own plans in his capacity as city engineer.; Under these circumstances, the engineer is acting in a dual capacity, but not a divided one.
  • eventType content: automatic
  • temporalExtent content: interval
  • temporalSequence content: 8
  • confidence assessment: 0.9
RDF JSON-LD 
{
  "@context": {
    "proeth": "http://proethica.org/ontology/intermediate#",
    "proeth-case": "http://proethica.org/ontology/case/103#",
    "rdf": "http://www.w3.org/1999/02/22-rdf-syntax-ns#",
    "rdfs": "http://www.w3.org/2000/01/rdf-schema#",
    "time": "http://www.w3.org/2006/time#"
  },
  "@id": "http://proethica.org/ontology/case/103#Event_Dual_Capacity_Arising",
  "@type": "proeth:Event",
  "proeth:causedByAction": "http://proethica.org/ontology/case/103#Action_Project_Commission_Acceptance",
  "proeth:confidence": "0.9",
  "proeth:description": "Once the engineer, already serving as part-time city engineer, is additionally retained to prepare plans and specifications for a city project, a dual capacity situation comes into being in which he passes on the adequacy of his own plans in his city engineer role.",
  "proeth:eventType": "automatic",
  "proeth:initiates": [
    "Dual Capacity State",
    "Self-Review Situation"
  ],
  "proeth:temporalExtent": "interval",
  "proeth:temporalMarker": "Upon the engineer\u0027s acceptance of a project commission while serving as retained city engineer",
  "proeth:temporalSequence": 8,
  "proeth:textReferences": [
    "There is still left for decision, however, the practical question of the engineer passing on the adequacy of his own plans in his capacity as city engineer.",
    "Under these circumstances, the engineer is acting in a dual capacity, but not a divided one."
  ],
  "rdfs:label": "Dual Capacity Arising"
}
Causal Chains (6)
NESS test analysis: Necessary Element of Sufficient Set

Causal Language: The duties for the city usually include advising the city council on engineering problems, offering recommendations on engineering project considerations and approving plans for engineering processes and works.

Necessary Factors (NESS):
  • Engineer accepting the part-time city engineer position
  • City delegating advisory and approval duties to the position
  • Ongoing engineering matters requiring council guidance
Sufficient Factors:
  • Acceptance of retention combined with the defined duties of advising and recommending to the council
Counterfactual Test: Without accepting the part-time retention, the engineer would have no advisory role and would not be positioned to recommend project approvals to the city council
Responsibility Attribution:

Agent: Professional Engineer
Type: direct
Within Agent Control: Yes

Causal Sequence:
  1. Part-Time Retention Acceptance
    Engineer in full-time private practice accepts part-time retention as city engineer
  2. Client Service Framing
    Engineer treats the community as a client of his private practice
  3. Advisory Recommendation
    Engineer advises the council and recommends approval of engineering projects as part of his defined duties
Field classification (triples vs literals)
Relations (structural triples)
  • cause: Part-Time Retention Acceptance
  • effect: Advisory Recommendation
  • responsibleAgent: Professional Engineer
Literal extractions (kept for synthesis)
  • causalLanguage content: The duties for the city usually include advising the city council on engineering problems, offering recommendations on engineering project considerations and approving plans for engineering processes and works.
  • necessaryFactors content: Engineer accepting the part-time city engineer position; City delegating advisory and approval duties to the position; Ongoing engineering matters requiring council guidance
  • sufficientFactors content: Acceptance of retention combined with the defined duties of advising and recommending to the council
  • counterfactual content: Without accepting the part-time retention, the engineer would have no advisory role and would not be positioned to recommend project approvals to the city council
  • causalSequence content: {'proeth:step': 1, 'proeth:element': 'Part-Time Retention Acceptance', 'proeth:description': 'Engineer in full-time private practice accepts part-time retention as city engineer'}; {'proeth:step': 2, 'proeth:element': 'Client Service Framing', 'proeth:description': 'Engineer treats the community as a client of his private practice'}; {'proeth:step': 3, 'proeth:element': 'Advisory Recommendation', 'proeth:description': 'Engineer advises the council and recommends approval of engineering projects as part of his defined duties'}
  • responsibilityType assessment: direct
  • withinAgentControl assessment: True
RDF JSON-LD 
{
  "@context": {
    "proeth": "http://proethica.org/ontology/intermediate#",
    "proeth-case": "http://proethica.org/ontology/case/103#",
    "rdf": "http://www.w3.org/1999/02/22-rdf-syntax-ns#",
    "rdfs": "http://www.w3.org/2000/01/rdf-schema#"
  },
  "@id": "http://proethica.org/ontology/case/103#CausalChain_1",
  "@type": "proeth:CausalChain",
  "proeth:causalLanguage": "The duties for the city usually include advising the city council on engineering problems, offering recommendations on engineering project considerations and approving plans for engineering processes and works.",
  "proeth:causalSequence": [
    {
      "proeth:description": "Engineer in full-time private practice accepts part-time retention as city engineer",
      "proeth:element": "Part-Time Retention Acceptance",
      "proeth:step": 1
    },
    {
      "proeth:description": "Engineer treats the community as a client of his private practice",
      "proeth:element": "Client Service Framing",
      "proeth:step": 2
    },
    {
      "proeth:description": "Engineer advises the council and recommends approval of engineering projects as part of his defined duties",
      "proeth:element": "Advisory Recommendation",
      "proeth:step": 3
    }
  ],
  "proeth:cause": "Part-Time Retention Acceptance",
  "proeth:counterfactual": "Without accepting the part-time retention, the engineer would have no advisory role and would not be positioned to recommend project approvals to the city council",
  "proeth:discoveredInSection": "facts",
  "proeth:effect": "Advisory Recommendation",
  "proeth:necessaryFactors": [
    "Engineer accepting the part-time city engineer position",
    "City delegating advisory and approval duties to the position",
    "Ongoing engineering matters requiring council guidance"
  ],
  "proeth:responsibilityType": "direct",
  "proeth:responsibleAgent": "Professional Engineer",
  "proeth:sufficientFactors": [
    "Acceptance of retention combined with the defined duties of advising and recommending to the council"
  ],
  "proeth:withinAgentControl": true
}

Causal Language: In such cases, he is compensated on a normal professional fee basis over and above his monthly retainer.

Necessary Factors (NESS):
  • City council decision to retain the engineer for plans and specifications
  • Existence of a compensable city project
  • Fee arrangement separate from the monthly retainer
Sufficient Factors:
  • Council's retention of the engineer for project work under normal professional fee terms
Counterfactual Test: Without the additional project retention, the engineer would receive only the monthly retainer and no professional fee for project design
Responsibility Attribution:

Agent: City Council
Type: shared
Within Agent Control: Yes

Causal Sequence:
  1. Project Commission Retention
    City council retains the same engineer for preparation of plans and specifications for a city project
  2. Project Commission Acceptance
    Engineer accepts the design commission from the city he serves
  3. Fee Compensation
    Engineer is compensated on a normal professional fee basis over and above his monthly retainer
Field classification (triples vs literals)
Relations (structural triples)
  • cause: Project Commission Retention
  • effect: Fee Compensation
  • responsibleAgent: City Council
Literal extractions (kept for synthesis)
  • causalLanguage content: In such cases, he is compensated on a normal professional fee basis over and above his monthly retainer.
  • necessaryFactors content: City council decision to retain the engineer for plans and specifications; Existence of a compensable city project; Fee arrangement separate from the monthly retainer
  • sufficientFactors content: Council's retention of the engineer for project work under normal professional fee terms
  • counterfactual content: Without the additional project retention, the engineer would receive only the monthly retainer and no professional fee for project design
  • causalSequence content: {'proeth:step': 1, 'proeth:element': 'Project Commission Retention', 'proeth:description': 'City council retains the same engineer for preparation of plans and specifications for a city project'}; {'proeth:step': 2, 'proeth:element': 'Project Commission Acceptance', 'proeth:description': 'Engineer accepts the design commission from the city he serves'}; {'proeth:step': 3, 'proeth:element': 'Fee Compensation', 'proeth:description': 'Engineer is compensated on a normal professional fee basis over and above his monthly retainer'}
  • responsibilityType assessment: shared
  • withinAgentControl assessment: True
RDF JSON-LD 
{
  "@context": {
    "proeth": "http://proethica.org/ontology/intermediate#",
    "proeth-case": "http://proethica.org/ontology/case/103#",
    "rdf": "http://www.w3.org/1999/02/22-rdf-syntax-ns#",
    "rdfs": "http://www.w3.org/2000/01/rdf-schema#"
  },
  "@id": "http://proethica.org/ontology/case/103#CausalChain_2",
  "@type": "proeth:CausalChain",
  "proeth:causalLanguage": "In such cases, he is compensated on a normal professional fee basis over and above his monthly retainer.",
  "proeth:causalSequence": [
    {
      "proeth:description": "City council retains the same engineer for preparation of plans and specifications for a city project",
      "proeth:element": "Project Commission Retention",
      "proeth:step": 1
    },
    {
      "proeth:description": "Engineer accepts the design commission from the city he serves",
      "proeth:element": "Project Commission Acceptance",
      "proeth:step": 2
    },
    {
      "proeth:description": "Engineer is compensated on a normal professional fee basis over and above his monthly retainer",
      "proeth:element": "Fee Compensation",
      "proeth:step": 3
    }
  ],
  "proeth:cause": "Project Commission Retention",
  "proeth:counterfactual": "Without the additional project retention, the engineer would receive only the monthly retainer and no professional fee for project design",
  "proeth:discoveredInSection": "facts",
  "proeth:effect": "Fee Compensation",
  "proeth:necessaryFactors": [
    "City council decision to retain the engineer for plans and specifications",
    "Existence of a compensable city project",
    "Fee arrangement separate from the monthly retainer"
  ],
  "proeth:responsibilityType": "shared",
  "proeth:responsibleAgent": "City Council",
  "proeth:sufficientFactors": [
    "Council\u0027s retention of the engineer for project work under normal professional fee terms"
  ],
  "proeth:withinAgentControl": true
}

Causal Language: Under these circumstances, the engineer is acting in a dual capacity, but not a divided one.

Necessary Factors (NESS):
  • Pre-existing role as part-time city engineer with review and approval duties
  • Acceptance of the additional design commission from the same city
  • Both roles serving the same single client
Sufficient Factors:
  • Acceptance of the project commission while continuing to hold the city engineer position
Counterfactual Test: Had the engineer declined the design commission or resigned the advisory post, no dual capacity would exist
Responsibility Attribution:

Agent: Professional Engineer
Type: shared
Within Agent Control: Yes

Causal Sequence:
  1. Part-Time Retention Acceptance
    Engineer becomes part-time city engineer with approval duties
  2. Project Commission Retention
    City council offers the same engineer the project design work
  3. Project Commission Acceptance
    Engineer accepts the design commission while retaining the city engineer role
  4. Dual Capacity Arising
    Engineer now serves simultaneously as designer and reviewing/approving city engineer
Field classification (triples vs literals)
Relations (structural triples)
  • cause: Project Commission Acceptance
  • effect: Dual Capacity Arising
  • responsibleAgent: Professional Engineer
Literal extractions (kept for synthesis)
  • causalLanguage content: Under these circumstances, the engineer is acting in a dual capacity, but not a divided one.
  • necessaryFactors content: Pre-existing role as part-time city engineer with review and approval duties; Acceptance of the additional design commission from the same city; Both roles serving the same single client
  • sufficientFactors content: Acceptance of the project commission while continuing to hold the city engineer position
  • counterfactual content: Had the engineer declined the design commission or resigned the advisory post, no dual capacity would exist
  • causalSequence content: {'proeth:step': 1, 'proeth:element': 'Part-Time Retention Acceptance', 'proeth:description': 'Engineer becomes part-time city engineer with approval duties'}; {'proeth:step': 2, 'proeth:element': 'Project Commission Retention', 'proeth:description': 'City council offers the same engineer the project design work'}; {'proeth:step': 3, 'proeth:element': 'Project Commission Acceptance', 'proeth:description': 'Engineer accepts the design commission while retaining the city engineer role'}; {'proeth:step': 4, 'proeth:element': 'Dual Capacity Arising', 'proeth:description': 'Engineer now serves simultaneously as designer and reviewing/approving city engineer'}
  • responsibilityType assessment: shared
  • withinAgentControl assessment: True
RDF JSON-LD 
{
  "@context": {
    "proeth": "http://proethica.org/ontology/intermediate#",
    "proeth-case": "http://proethica.org/ontology/case/103#",
    "rdf": "http://www.w3.org/1999/02/22-rdf-syntax-ns#",
    "rdfs": "http://www.w3.org/2000/01/rdf-schema#"
  },
  "@id": "http://proethica.org/ontology/case/103#CausalChain_3",
  "@type": "proeth:CausalChain",
  "proeth:causalLanguage": "Under these circumstances, the engineer is acting in a dual capacity, but not a divided one.",
  "proeth:causalSequence": [
    {
      "proeth:description": "Engineer becomes part-time city engineer with approval duties",
      "proeth:element": "Part-Time Retention Acceptance",
      "proeth:step": 1
    },
    {
      "proeth:description": "City council offers the same engineer the project design work",
      "proeth:element": "Project Commission Retention",
      "proeth:step": 2
    },
    {
      "proeth:description": "Engineer accepts the design commission while retaining the city engineer role",
      "proeth:element": "Project Commission Acceptance",
      "proeth:step": 3
    },
    {
      "proeth:description": "Engineer now serves simultaneously as designer and reviewing/approving city engineer",
      "proeth:element": "Dual Capacity Arising",
      "proeth:step": 4
    }
  ],
  "proeth:cause": "Project Commission Acceptance",
  "proeth:counterfactual": "Had the engineer declined the design commission or resigned the advisory post, no dual capacity would exist",
  "proeth:discoveredInSection": "discussion",
  "proeth:effect": "Dual Capacity Arising",
  "proeth:necessaryFactors": [
    "Pre-existing role as part-time city engineer with review and approval duties",
    "Acceptance of the additional design commission from the same city",
    "Both roles serving the same single client"
  ],
  "proeth:responsibilityType": "shared",
  "proeth:responsibleAgent": "Professional Engineer",
  "proeth:sufficientFactors": [
    "Acceptance of the project commission while continuing to hold the city engineer position"
  ],
  "proeth:withinAgentControl": true
}

Causal Language: Rule 13 is binding in this case and the engineer has a duty because of his dual capacity to avoid prejudicing his advice to the city on the project under consideration because its approval by the city council may lead to his securing a commission for that project.

Necessary Factors (NESS):
  • Dual capacity as advisor/reviewer and prospective project designer
  • Financial fee compensation flowing from project commissions
  • Council's reliance on the engineer's guidance for project approval
Sufficient Factors:
  • Dual capacity combined with the prospect that project approval leads to a fee-bearing commission
Counterfactual Test: Without the dual capacity, advice to the city could not benefit the engineer's own commission prospects and the self-interest risk would not arise
Responsibility Attribution:

Agent: Professional Engineer
Type: direct
Within Agent Control: Yes

Causal Sequence:
  1. Dual Capacity Arising
    Engineer holds both advisory/approval and design roles for the same city
  2. Advisory Recommendation
    Engineer advises the council on projects whose approval could yield commissions for him
  3. Self-Interest Risk Arising
    Risk emerges that his advice could be prejudiced by the prospect of securing the commission
Field classification (triples vs literals)
Relations (structural triples)
  • cause: Dual Capacity Arising
  • effect: Self-Interest Risk Arising
  • responsibleAgent: Professional Engineer
Literal extractions (kept for synthesis)
  • causalLanguage content: Rule 13 is binding in this case and the engineer has a duty because of his dual capacity to avoid prejudicing his advice to the city on the project under consideration because its approval by the city council may lead to his securing a commission for that project.
  • necessaryFactors content: Dual capacity as advisor/reviewer and prospective project designer; Financial fee compensation flowing from project commissions; Council's reliance on the engineer's guidance for project approval
  • sufficientFactors content: Dual capacity combined with the prospect that project approval leads to a fee-bearing commission
  • counterfactual content: Without the dual capacity, advice to the city could not benefit the engineer's own commission prospects and the self-interest risk would not arise
  • causalSequence content: {'proeth:step': 1, 'proeth:element': 'Dual Capacity Arising', 'proeth:description': 'Engineer holds both advisory/approval and design roles for the same city'}; {'proeth:step': 2, 'proeth:element': 'Advisory Recommendation', 'proeth:description': 'Engineer advises the council on projects whose approval could yield commissions for him'}; {'proeth:step': 3, 'proeth:element': 'Self-Interest Risk Arising', 'proeth:description': 'Risk emerges that his advice could be prejudiced by the prospect of securing the commission'}
  • responsibilityType assessment: direct
  • withinAgentControl assessment: True
RDF JSON-LD 
{
  "@context": {
    "proeth": "http://proethica.org/ontology/intermediate#",
    "proeth-case": "http://proethica.org/ontology/case/103#",
    "rdf": "http://www.w3.org/1999/02/22-rdf-syntax-ns#",
    "rdfs": "http://www.w3.org/2000/01/rdf-schema#"
  },
  "@id": "http://proethica.org/ontology/case/103#CausalChain_4",
  "@type": "proeth:CausalChain",
  "proeth:causalLanguage": "Rule 13 is binding in this case and the engineer has a duty because of his dual capacity to avoid prejudicing his advice to the city on the project under consideration because its approval by the city council may lead to his securing a commission for that project.",
  "proeth:causalSequence": [
    {
      "proeth:description": "Engineer holds both advisory/approval and design roles for the same city",
      "proeth:element": "Dual Capacity Arising",
      "proeth:step": 1
    },
    {
      "proeth:description": "Engineer advises the council on projects whose approval could yield commissions for him",
      "proeth:element": "Advisory Recommendation",
      "proeth:step": 2
    },
    {
      "proeth:description": "Risk emerges that his advice could be prejudiced by the prospect of securing the commission",
      "proeth:element": "Self-Interest Risk Arising",
      "proeth:step": 3
    }
  ],
  "proeth:cause": "Dual Capacity Arising",
  "proeth:counterfactual": "Without the dual capacity, advice to the city could not benefit the engineer\u0027s own commission prospects and the self-interest risk would not arise",
  "proeth:discoveredInSection": "discussion",
  "proeth:effect": "Self-Interest Risk Arising",
  "proeth:necessaryFactors": [
    "Dual capacity as advisor/reviewer and prospective project designer",
    "Financial fee compensation flowing from project commissions",
    "Council\u0027s reliance on the engineer\u0027s guidance for project approval"
  ],
  "proeth:responsibilityType": "direct",
  "proeth:responsibleAgent": "Professional Engineer",
  "proeth:sufficientFactors": [
    "Dual capacity combined with the prospect that project approval leads to a fee-bearing commission"
  ],
  "proeth:withinAgentControl": true
}

Causal Language: The client has such a right of review by its own engineer, but it may waive its right, as it has obviously done in this case.

Necessary Factors (NESS):
  • City's implicit waiver of independent engineering review
  • Engineer's role as the city's approving engineer
  • Engineer having prepared the plans under the project commission
Sufficient Factors:
  • Waiver of review combined with the engineer's dual role as preparer and approver of plans
Counterfactual Test: Had the city exercised its right to review by another engineer, the engineer would not pass on the adequacy of his own plans
Responsibility Attribution:

Agent: City (client) and Professional Engineer
Type: shared
Within Agent Control: Yes

Causal Sequence:
  1. Project Commission Acceptance
    Engineer prepares plans and specifications for the city project
  2. Independent Review Waiver
    City waives its right to have the plans reviewed by another engineer
  3. Own Plan Approval
    Engineer, as city engineer, passes on the adequacy of his own plans
Field classification (triples vs literals)
Relations (structural triples)
  • cause: Independent Review Waiver
  • effect: Own Plan Approval
  • responsibleAgent: City (client) and Professional Engineer
Literal extractions (kept for synthesis)
  • causalLanguage content: The client has such a right of review by its own engineer, but it may waive its right, as it has obviously done in this case.
  • necessaryFactors content: City's implicit waiver of independent engineering review; Engineer's role as the city's approving engineer; Engineer having prepared the plans under the project commission
  • sufficientFactors content: Waiver of review combined with the engineer's dual role as preparer and approver of plans
  • counterfactual content: Had the city exercised its right to review by another engineer, the engineer would not pass on the adequacy of his own plans
  • causalSequence content: {'proeth:step': 1, 'proeth:element': 'Project Commission Acceptance', 'proeth:description': 'Engineer prepares plans and specifications for the city project'}; {'proeth:step': 2, 'proeth:element': 'Independent Review Waiver', 'proeth:description': 'City waives its right to have the plans reviewed by another engineer'}; {'proeth:step': 3, 'proeth:element': 'Own Plan Approval', 'proeth:description': 'Engineer, as city engineer, passes on the adequacy of his own plans'}
  • responsibilityType assessment: shared
  • withinAgentControl assessment: True
RDF JSON-LD 
{
  "@context": {
    "proeth": "http://proethica.org/ontology/intermediate#",
    "proeth-case": "http://proethica.org/ontology/case/103#",
    "rdf": "http://www.w3.org/1999/02/22-rdf-syntax-ns#",
    "rdfs": "http://www.w3.org/2000/01/rdf-schema#"
  },
  "@id": "http://proethica.org/ontology/case/103#CausalChain_5",
  "@type": "proeth:CausalChain",
  "proeth:causalLanguage": "The client has such a right of review by its own engineer, but it may waive its right, as it has obviously done in this case.",
  "proeth:causalSequence": [
    {
      "proeth:description": "Engineer prepares plans and specifications for the city project",
      "proeth:element": "Project Commission Acceptance",
      "proeth:step": 1
    },
    {
      "proeth:description": "City waives its right to have the plans reviewed by another engineer",
      "proeth:element": "Independent Review Waiver",
      "proeth:step": 2
    },
    {
      "proeth:description": "Engineer, as city engineer, passes on the adequacy of his own plans",
      "proeth:element": "Own Plan Approval",
      "proeth:step": 3
    }
  ],
  "proeth:cause": "Independent Review Waiver",
  "proeth:counterfactual": "Had the city exercised its right to review by another engineer, the engineer would not pass on the adequacy of his own plans",
  "proeth:discoveredInSection": "discussion",
  "proeth:effect": "Own Plan Approval",
  "proeth:necessaryFactors": [
    "City\u0027s implicit waiver of independent engineering review",
    "Engineer\u0027s role as the city\u0027s approving engineer",
    "Engineer having prepared the plans under the project commission"
  ],
  "proeth:responsibilityType": "shared",
  "proeth:responsibleAgent": "City (client) and Professional Engineer",
  "proeth:sufficientFactors": [
    "Waiver of review combined with the engineer\u0027s dual role as preparer and approver of plans"
  ],
  "proeth:withinAgentControl": true
}

Causal Language: we would caution that an engineer in these circumstances should be doubly careful in studying and recommending approval of a project for which the city council must look to him for guidance.

Necessary Factors (NESS):
  • Engineer's act of advising and recommending project approval to the council
  • Prospect that project approval leads to a design commission for the engineer
  • Council's exclusive reliance on the engineer for guidance
Sufficient Factors:
  • Recommendation of a project by the same engineer who stands to receive the resulting commission
Counterfactual Test: If the engineer refrained from advising on projects he might later design, the specific risk of prejudiced advice would not materialize
Responsibility Attribution:

Agent: Professional Engineer
Type: direct
Within Agent Control: Yes

Causal Sequence:
  1. Advisory Recommendation
    Engineer studies and recommends approval of a project to the city council
  2. Self-Interest Risk Arising
    Because approval may lead to his securing the commission, a risk of prejudiced advice arises
  3. Project Commission Retention
    Council, relying on his guidance, retains him for the approved project's design
  4. Fee Compensation
    Engineer receives a professional fee over and above his retainer, completing the self-interest loop
Field classification (triples vs literals)
Relations (structural triples)
  • cause: Advisory Recommendation
  • effect: Self-Interest Risk Arising
  • responsibleAgent: Professional Engineer
Literal extractions (kept for synthesis)
  • causalLanguage content: we would caution that an engineer in these circumstances should be doubly careful in studying and recommending approval of a project for which the city council must look to him for guidance.
  • necessaryFactors content: Engineer's act of advising and recommending project approval to the council; Prospect that project approval leads to a design commission for the engineer; Council's exclusive reliance on the engineer for guidance
  • sufficientFactors content: Recommendation of a project by the same engineer who stands to receive the resulting commission
  • counterfactual content: If the engineer refrained from advising on projects he might later design, the specific risk of prejudiced advice would not materialize
  • causalSequence content: {'proeth:step': 1, 'proeth:element': 'Advisory Recommendation', 'proeth:description': 'Engineer studies and recommends approval of a project to the city council'}; {'proeth:step': 2, 'proeth:element': 'Self-Interest Risk Arising', 'proeth:description': 'Because approval may lead to his securing the commission, a risk of prejudiced advice arises'}; {'proeth:step': 3, 'proeth:element': 'Project Commission Retention', 'proeth:description': "Council, relying on his guidance, retains him for the approved project's design"}; {'proeth:step': 4, 'proeth:element': 'Fee Compensation', 'proeth:description': 'Engineer receives a professional fee over and above his retainer, completing the self-interest loop'}
  • responsibilityType assessment: direct
  • withinAgentControl assessment: True
RDF JSON-LD 
{
  "@context": {
    "proeth": "http://proethica.org/ontology/intermediate#",
    "proeth-case": "http://proethica.org/ontology/case/103#",
    "rdf": "http://www.w3.org/1999/02/22-rdf-syntax-ns#",
    "rdfs": "http://www.w3.org/2000/01/rdf-schema#"
  },
  "@id": "http://proethica.org/ontology/case/103#CausalChain_6",
  "@type": "proeth:CausalChain",
  "proeth:causalLanguage": "we would caution that an engineer in these circumstances should be doubly careful in studying and recommending approval of a project for which the city council must look to him for guidance.",
  "proeth:causalSequence": [
    {
      "proeth:description": "Engineer studies and recommends approval of a project to the city council",
      "proeth:element": "Advisory Recommendation",
      "proeth:step": 1
    },
    {
      "proeth:description": "Because approval may lead to his securing the commission, a risk of prejudiced advice arises",
      "proeth:element": "Self-Interest Risk Arising",
      "proeth:step": 2
    },
    {
      "proeth:description": "Council, relying on his guidance, retains him for the approved project\u0027s design",
      "proeth:element": "Project Commission Retention",
      "proeth:step": 3
    },
    {
      "proeth:description": "Engineer receives a professional fee over and above his retainer, completing the self-interest loop",
      "proeth:element": "Fee Compensation",
      "proeth:step": 4
    }
  ],
  "proeth:cause": "Advisory Recommendation",
  "proeth:counterfactual": "If the engineer refrained from advising on projects he might later design, the specific risk of prejudiced advice would not materialize",
  "proeth:discoveredInSection": "discussion",
  "proeth:effect": "Self-Interest Risk Arising",
  "proeth:necessaryFactors": [
    "Engineer\u0027s act of advising and recommending project approval to the council",
    "Prospect that project approval leads to a design commission for the engineer",
    "Council\u0027s exclusive reliance on the engineer for guidance"
  ],
  "proeth:responsibilityType": "direct",
  "proeth:responsibleAgent": "Professional Engineer",
  "proeth:sufficientFactors": [
    "Recommendation of a project by the same engineer who stands to receive the resulting commission"
  ],
  "proeth:withinAgentControl": true
}
Allen Temporal Relations (7)
Interval algebra relationships with OWL-Time standard properties
From Entity Allen Relation To Entity OWL-Time Property Evidence
retention as part-time city engineer before
Entity1 is before Entity2 		retention to prepare plans and specifications for a specific city project time:intervalBefore
http://www.w3.org/2006/time#intervalBefore 		A small community retains a professional engineer on a part-time basis to serve as city engineer... ... [more]
preparation of plans and specifications for specific projects during
Entity1 occurs entirely within the duration of Entity2 		ongoing part-time city engineer retainer time:intervalDuring
http://www.w3.org/2006/time#intervalDuring 		he is compensated on a normal professional fee basis over and above his monthly retainer
full-time private practice overlaps
Entity1 starts before Entity2 and ends during Entity2 		part-time service as city engineer time:intervalOverlaps
http://www.w3.org/2006/time#intervalOverlaps 		The professional engineer holding this position is engaged in full-time private practice and treats ... [more]
engineer's preparation of his own plans before
Entity1 is before Entity2 		engineer passing judgment on (approving) those plans as city engineer time:intervalBefore
http://www.w3.org/2006/time#intervalBefore 		There is still left for decision, however, the practical question of the engineer passing on the ade... [more]
engineer's advice/recommendation to the city on a project before
Entity1 is before Entity2 		city council approval of the project time:intervalBefore
http://www.w3.org/2006/time#intervalBefore 		the engineer has a duty because of his dual capacity to avoid prejudicing his advice to the city on ... [more]
city council approval of a project before
Entity1 is before Entity2 		engineer securing a commission for that project time:intervalBefore
http://www.w3.org/2006/time#intervalBefore 		its approval by the city council may lead to his securing a commission for that project
client's waiver of its right to independent review before
Entity1 is before Entity2 		engineer acting in dual capacity approving his own plans time:intervalBefore
http://www.w3.org/2006/time#intervalBefore 		The client has such a right of review by its own engineer, but it may waive its right, as it has obv... [more]
About Allen Relations & OWL-Time

Allen's Interval Algebra provides 13 basic temporal relations between intervals. These relations are mapped to OWL-Time standard properties for interoperability with Semantic Web temporal reasoning systems and SPARQL queries.

Each relation includes both a ProEthica custom property and a time:* OWL-Time property for maximum compatibility.

Back to Extraction Continue to Step 4

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