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Overview
Provenance Draft

PASS 3: Temporal Dynamics

Case 109: Competence To Certify Arms Storage Rooms

21 entities 2 actions 2 events 7 causal chains 9 temporal relations
Timeline Overview
Action Event 10 sequenced markers
Precedent BER Case 85-3, after the first appointee was deemed unqualified
Precedent BER Case 85-3, upon appointment by the county commissioners
Prior to the county commissioners' appointment decision in BER Case 85-3
During construction of the design/build project in precedent BER Case 94-8
Precedent BER Case 94-8, during the construction project
Precedent BER Case 94-8, after being unable to establish Engineer B's training in foundation design
Ethical Determination Analysis stage, after review of precedents BER Case 94-8 and BER Case 85-3
Certification Request Present case, triggering event
Training Funds Unavailability At the time of the Army official's certification request
Regulatory Rule Modification In recent years, ongoing at the time of the case
OWL-Time Temporal Structure 9 relations time: = w3.org/2006/time
Engineer A's service as Civilian Building and Grounds Division Chief time:intervalOverlaps Army official's certification request
Army official's certification request time:intervalBefore Board's analysis and conclusion
Engineer A's reservations about Engineer B's competence time:intervalBefore Engineer A reporting concerns to the contractor
Engineer A confronting Engineer B with concerns time:intervalBefore Engineer A bringing the matter to the client and authorities
bringing the matter to client and authorities time:intervalBefore withdrawal from the project (if concerns not met)
first (non-P.E.) appointee's tenure as county surveyor time:intervalBefore appointment of the chemical engineer (P.E.) as county surveyor
county commissioners' meeting and appointment decision time:intervalBefore engineer accepting the county surveyor position
completion of comprehensive training programs time:intervalBefore competent certification of arms storage compliance (hypothetical, unfunded)
detailed and exhaustive inspection of the facility time:intervalBefore certification of compliance with Army regulations (hypothetical)
Extracted Actions (2)
Volitional professional decisions with intentions and ethical context

Description: An Army official requests that Engineer A certify that arms storage rooms and racks on the installation comply with detailed Army physical security, arms, ammunition, and explosive regulations, despite Engineer A having no significant training or knowledge in these areas.

Temporal Marker: Present case, triggering event instant

Fluent Transitions:
Initiates (2)
  • Certification Request Pending
  • Competency Mismatch

Mental State: deliberate

Intended Outcome: Obtain engineer certification that the arms storage facilities comply with Army regulations

Foreseen Unintended Effects:

  • Pressuring Engineer A to act outside his area of competence
Required Capabilities:
Knowledge of Army physical security, arms, ammunition, and explosive regulations
Within Competence: No
Field classification (triples vs literals)
Relations (structural triples)
  • requiresCapability: Knowledge of Army physical security, arms, ammunition, and explosive regulations
  • initiates: Certification Request Pending; Competency Mismatch
Literal extractions (kept for synthesis)
  • description content: An Army official requests that Engineer A certify that arms storage rooms and racks on the installation comply with detailed Army physical security, arms, ammunition, and explosive regulations, despite Engineer A having no significant training or knowledge in these areas.
  • hasAgent content: Army official
  • temporalMarker content: Present case, triggering event
  • eventRoleContext content: installation authority
  • hasMentalState content: deliberate
  • intendedOutcome content: Obtain engineer certification that the arms storage facilities comply with Army regulations
  • foreseenUnintendedEffects content: Pressuring Engineer A to act outside his area of competence
  • textReferences content: An Army official requests that Engineer A certify that certain arms storage rooms and arms storage racks on the military installation are in accordance with certain specific, lengthy, and detailed Army physical security, arms, ammunition, and explosive regulations, which are cross-referenced with other Army regulations.
  • temporalExtent content: instant
  • temporalSequence content: 2
  • withinCompetence assessment: False
RDF JSON-LD 
{
  "@context": {
    "proeth": "http://proethica.org/ontology/intermediate#",
    "proeth-case": "http://proethica.org/ontology/case/109#",
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  },
  "@id": "http://proethica.org/ontology/case/109#Action_Certification_Request",
  "@type": "proeth:Action",
  "generatedAtTime": "2026-07-13T13:05:02.327146+00:00",
  "proeth:description": "An Army official requests that Engineer A certify that arms storage rooms and racks on the installation comply with detailed Army physical security, arms, ammunition, and explosive regulations, despite Engineer A having no significant training or knowledge in these areas.",
  "proeth:discoveredInSection": "facts",
  "proeth:eventRoleContext": "installation authority",
  "proeth:foreseenUnintendedEffects": [
    "Pressuring Engineer A to act outside his area of competence"
  ],
  "proeth:hasAgent": "Army official",
  "proeth:hasMentalState": "deliberate",
  "proeth:initiates": [
    "Certification Request Pending",
    "Competency Mismatch"
  ],
  "proeth:intendedOutcome": "Obtain engineer certification that the arms storage facilities comply with Army regulations",
  "proeth:requiresCapability": [
    "Knowledge of Army physical security, arms, ammunition, and explosive regulations"
  ],
  "proeth:temporalExtent": "instant",
  "proeth:temporalMarker": "Present case, triggering event",
  "proeth:temporalSequence": 2,
  "proeth:textReferences": [
    "An Army official requests that Engineer A certify that certain arms storage rooms and arms storage racks on the military installation are in accordance with certain specific, lengthy, and detailed Army physical security, arms, ammunition, and explosive regulations, which are cross-referenced with other Army regulations."
  ],
  "proeth:withinCompetence": false,
  "rdfs:label": "Certification Request"
}

Description: The Board concludes that Engineer A cannot ethically perform the requested services outside his competence and that certifying compliance would be a misleading and deceptive guarantee, and it endorses state board rule modifications making improper certifications violations of professional conduct rules.

Temporal Marker: Analysis stage, after review of precedents BER Case 94-8 and BER Case 85-3 instant

Fluent Transitions:
Initiates (1)
  • Ethical Impermissibility of Certification Established
Terminates (1)
  • Certification Request Pending

Mental State: deliberate

Intended Outcome: Establish that Engineer A should not certify compliance and reinforce competency and certification standards for licensed engineers

Guided By Principles:
  • Practice Solely Within Area of Competence
  • Public Health and Safety
  • Avoidance of Misleading Statements
Required Capabilities:
Ethical review and precedent analysis
Within Competence: Yes
Field classification (triples vs literals)
Relations (structural triples)
  • guidedByPrinciple: Practice Solely Within Area of Competence; Public Health and Safety; Avoidance of Misleading Statements
  • requiresCapability: Ethical review and precedent analysis
  • initiates: Ethical Impermissibility of Certification Established
  • terminates: Certification Request Pending
Literal extractions (kept for synthesis)
  • description content: The Board concludes that Engineer A cannot ethically perform the requested services outside his competence and that certifying compliance would be a misleading and deceptive guarantee, and it endorses state board rule modifications making improper certifications violations of professional conduct rules.
  • hasAgent content: Board of Ethical Review
  • temporalMarker content: Analysis stage, after review of precedents BER Case 94-8 and BER Case 85-3
  • hasMentalState content: deliberate
  • intendedOutcome content: Establish that Engineer A should not certify compliance and reinforce competency and certification standards for licensed engineers
  • textReferences content: it would not have been ethically proper for Engineer A to “certify” compliance with the military regulations as requested; such a statement, if made by Engineer A would be misleading, deceptive and, on that basis, not ethical; the BER encourages these rule modifications
  • temporalExtent content: instant
  • temporalSequence content: 4
  • withinCompetence assessment: True
RDF JSON-LD 
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  "@context": {
    "proeth": "http://proethica.org/ontology/intermediate#",
    "proeth-case": "http://proethica.org/ontology/case/109#",
    "rdf": "http://www.w3.org/1999/02/22-rdf-syntax-ns#",
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  },
  "@id": "http://proethica.org/ontology/case/109#Action_Ethical_Determination",
  "@type": "proeth:Action",
  "generatedAtTime": "2026-07-13T13:05:02.327698+00:00",
  "proeth:description": "The Board concludes that Engineer A cannot ethically perform the requested services outside his competence and that certifying compliance would be a misleading and deceptive guarantee, and it endorses state board rule modifications making improper certifications violations of professional conduct rules.",
  "proeth:discoveredInSection": "discussion",
  "proeth:guidedByPrinciple": [
    "Practice Solely Within Area of Competence",
    "Public Health and Safety",
    "Avoidance of Misleading Statements"
  ],
  "proeth:hasAgent": "Board of Ethical Review",
  "proeth:hasMentalState": "deliberate",
  "proeth:initiates": [
    "Ethical Impermissibility of Certification Established"
  ],
  "proeth:intendedOutcome": "Establish that Engineer A should not certify compliance and reinforce competency and certification standards for licensed engineers",
  "proeth:requiresCapability": [
    "Ethical review and precedent analysis"
  ],
  "proeth:temporalExtent": "instant",
  "proeth:temporalMarker": "Analysis stage, after review of precedents BER Case 94-8 and BER Case 85-3",
  "proeth:temporalSequence": 4,
  "proeth:terminates": [
    "Certification Request Pending"
  ],
  "proeth:textReferences": [
    "it would not have been ethically proper for Engineer A to \u201ccertify\u201d compliance with the military regulations as requested",
    "such a statement, if made by Engineer A would be misleading, deceptive and, on that basis, not ethical",
    "the BER encourages these rule modifications"
  ],
  "proeth:withinCompetence": true,
  "rdfs:label": "Ethical Determination"
}
Extracted Events (2)
Occurrences that trigger ethical considerations and state changes

Description: State engineering licensure boards are in the process of making certifications of the kind requested from Engineer A violations of state board rules of professional conduct, an external regulatory development the Board encourages.

Temporal Marker: In recent years, ongoing at the time of the case interval

Fluent Transitions:
Initiates (1)
  • Certification Regulatory Scrutiny
Field classification (triples vs literals)
Relations (structural triples)
  • initiates: Certification Regulatory Scrutiny
Literal extractions (kept for synthesis)
  • description content: State engineering licensure boards are in the process of making certifications of the kind requested from Engineer A violations of state board rules of professional conduct, an external regulatory development the Board encourages.
  • temporalMarker content: In recent years, ongoing at the time of the case
  • textReferences content: State engineering licensure boards are beginning to make such certifications violations of state board rules of professional conduct; and the BER encourages these rule modifications.; the certification of certain facts by an engineer, which has been the subject of state engineering board regulation in recent years
  • eventType content: exogenous
  • temporalExtent content: interval
  • temporalSequence content: 1
  • confidence assessment: 0.8
RDF JSON-LD 
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  "@context": {
    "proeth": "http://proethica.org/ontology/intermediate#",
    "proeth-case": "http://proethica.org/ontology/case/109#",
    "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/109#Event_Regulatory_Rule_Modification",
  "@type": "proeth:Event",
  "generatedAtTime": "2026-07-13T13:05:02.327860+00:00",
  "proeth:confidence": "0.8",
  "proeth:description": "State engineering licensure boards are in the process of making certifications of the kind requested from Engineer A violations of state board rules of professional conduct, an external regulatory development the Board encourages.",
  "proeth:discoveredInSection": "discussion",
  "proeth:eventType": "exogenous",
  "proeth:initiates": [
    "Certification Regulatory Scrutiny"
  ],
  "proeth:temporalExtent": "interval",
  "proeth:temporalMarker": "In recent years, ongoing at the time of the case",
  "proeth:temporalSequence": 1,
  "proeth:textReferences": [
    "State engineering licensure boards are beginning to make such certifications violations of state board rules of professional conduct; and the BER encourages these rule modifications.",
    "the certification of certain facts by an engineer, which has been the subject of state engineering board regulation in recent years"
  ],
  "rdfs:label": "Regulatory Rule Modification"
}

Description: Although comprehensive training programs exist for the specialized arms storage certification work, no funding is available for Engineer A to participate in them, leaving the competency gap unresolvable through training.

Temporal Marker: At the time of the Army official's certification request interval

Fluent Transitions:
Initiates (2)
  • Training Inaccessible
  • Competency Gap
Field classification (triples vs literals)
Relations (structural triples)
  • initiates: Training Inaccessible; Competency Gap
Literal extractions (kept for synthesis)
  • description content: Although comprehensive training programs exist for the specialized arms storage certification work, no funding is available for Engineer A to participate in them, leaving the competency gap unresolvable through training.
  • temporalMarker content: At the time of the Army official's certification request
  • textReferences content: There are comprehensive training programs available for this type of work, but training funds are not available.; While there may be comprehensive training programs available, the facts reveal that insufficient funds exist for Engineer A to participate in such programs.
  • eventType content: exogenous
  • temporalExtent content: interval
  • temporalSequence content: 3
  • confidence assessment: 0.9
RDF JSON-LD 
{
  "@context": {
    "proeth": "http://proethica.org/ontology/intermediate#",
    "proeth-case": "http://proethica.org/ontology/case/109#",
    "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/109#Event_Training_Funds_Unavailability",
  "@type": "proeth:Event",
  "generatedAtTime": "2026-07-13T13:05:02.327821+00:00",
  "proeth:confidence": "0.9",
  "proeth:description": "Although comprehensive training programs exist for the specialized arms storage certification work, no funding is available for Engineer A to participate in them, leaving the competency gap unresolvable through training.",
  "proeth:discoveredInSection": "facts",
  "proeth:eventType": "exogenous",
  "proeth:initiates": [
    "Training Inaccessible",
    "Competency Gap"
  ],
  "proeth:temporalExtent": "interval",
  "proeth:temporalMarker": "At the time of the Army official\u0027s certification request",
  "proeth:temporalSequence": 3,
  "proeth:textReferences": [
    "There are comprehensive training programs available for this type of work, but training funds are not available.",
    "While there may be comprehensive training programs available, the facts reveal that insufficient funds exist for Engineer A to participate in such programs."
  ],
  "rdfs:label": "Training Funds Unavailability"
}
Causal Chains (7)
NESS test analysis: Necessary Element of Sufficient Set

Causal Language: An Army official requests that Engineer A certify that certain arms storage rooms and arms storage racks on the military installation are in accordance with certain specific, lengthy, and detailed Army physical security, arms, ammunition, and explosive regulations, which are cross-referenced with other Army regulations. Engineer A has no significant training or knowledge in these areas.

Necessary Factors (NESS):
  • Army official's request for certification
  • Engineer A's lack of training or knowledge in arms/ammunition/explosive regulations
  • Complexity of cross-referenced Army regulations requiring specialized competence
Sufficient Factors:
  • Combination of certification request + Engineer A's incompetence in the specialized field + inability to obtain training
Counterfactual Test: Without the certification request, no ethical question would have arisen; had Engineer A possessed the required competency, the certification aspect alone would still have been improper per the Board
Responsibility Attribution:

Agent: Army official (requester); Engineer A (decision whether to comply)
Type: shared
Within Agent Control: Yes

Causal Sequence:
  1. Certification Request
    Army official requests Engineer A certify arms storage compliance with detailed regulations
  2. Competency Gap Identification
    Engineer A has no significant training or knowledge in the specialized regulatory areas
  3. Training Funds Unavailability
    Training programs exist but funds are not available to remedy the competency gap
  4. Ethical Determination
    Board concludes Engineer A cannot ethically perform or certify the requested services
Field classification (triples vs literals)
Relations (structural triples)
  • cause: Certification Request
  • effect: Ethical Determination
  • responsibleAgent: Army official (requester); Engineer A (decision whether to comply)
Literal extractions (kept for synthesis)
  • causalLanguage content: An Army official requests that Engineer A certify that certain arms storage rooms and arms storage racks on the military installation are in accordance with certain specific, lengthy, and detailed Army physical security, arms, ammunition, and explosive regulations, which are cross-referenced with other Army regulations. Engineer A has no significant training or knowledge in these areas.
  • necessaryFactors content: Army official's request for certification; Engineer A's lack of training or knowledge in arms/ammunition/explosive regulations; Complexity of cross-referenced Army regulations requiring specialized competence
  • sufficientFactors content: Combination of certification request + Engineer A's incompetence in the specialized field + inability to obtain training
  • counterfactual content: Without the certification request, no ethical question would have arisen; had Engineer A possessed the required competency, the certification aspect alone would still have been improper per the Board
  • agentKnowledge content: Army official may not have known Engineer A lacked the specialized knowledge; Engineer A knew he had 'no significant training or knowledge in these areas'
  • interveningFactors content: Employment-relationship pressure on Engineer A; Unavailability of training funds
  • causalSequence content: {'proeth:step': 1, 'proeth:element': 'Certification Request', 'proeth:description': 'Army official requests Engineer A certify arms storage compliance with detailed regulations'}; {'proeth:step': 2, 'proeth:element': 'Competency Gap Identification', 'proeth:description': 'Engineer A has no significant training or knowledge in the specialized regulatory areas'}; {'proeth:step': 3, 'proeth:element': 'Training Funds Unavailability', 'proeth:description': 'Training programs exist but funds are not available to remedy the competency gap'}; {'proeth:step': 4, 'proeth:element': 'Ethical Determination', 'proeth:description': 'Board concludes Engineer A cannot ethically perform or certify the requested services'}
  • responsibilityType assessment: shared
  • withinAgentControl assessment: True
RDF JSON-LD 
{
  "@context": {
    "proeth": "http://proethica.org/ontology/intermediate#",
    "proeth-case": "http://proethica.org/ontology/case/109#",
    "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/109#CausalChain_1",
  "@type": "proeth:CausalChain",
  "generatedAtTime": "2026-07-13T13:05:02.327921+00:00",
  "proeth:agentKnowledge": "Army official may not have known Engineer A lacked the specialized knowledge; Engineer A knew he had \u0027no significant training or knowledge in these areas\u0027",
  "proeth:causalLanguage": "An Army official requests that Engineer A certify that certain arms storage rooms and arms storage racks on the military installation are in accordance with certain specific, lengthy, and detailed Army physical security, arms, ammunition, and explosive regulations, which are cross-referenced with other Army regulations. Engineer A has no significant training or knowledge in these areas.",
  "proeth:causalSequence": [
    {
      "proeth:description": "Army official requests Engineer A certify arms storage compliance with detailed regulations",
      "proeth:element": "Certification Request",
      "proeth:step": 1
    },
    {
      "proeth:description": "Engineer A has no significant training or knowledge in the specialized regulatory areas",
      "proeth:element": "Competency Gap Identification",
      "proeth:step": 2
    },
    {
      "proeth:description": "Training programs exist but funds are not available to remedy the competency gap",
      "proeth:element": "Training Funds Unavailability",
      "proeth:step": 3
    },
    {
      "proeth:description": "Board concludes Engineer A cannot ethically perform or certify the requested services",
      "proeth:element": "Ethical Determination",
      "proeth:step": 4
    }
  ],
  "proeth:cause": "Certification Request",
  "proeth:counterfactual": "Without the certification request, no ethical question would have arisen; had Engineer A possessed the required competency, the certification aspect alone would still have been improper per the Board",
  "proeth:discoveredInSection": "facts",
  "proeth:effect": "Ethical Determination",
  "proeth:interveningFactors": [
    "Employment-relationship pressure on Engineer A",
    "Unavailability of training funds"
  ],
  "proeth:necessaryFactors": [
    "Army official\u0027s request for certification",
    "Engineer A\u0027s lack of training or knowledge in arms/ammunition/explosive regulations",
    "Complexity of cross-referenced Army regulations requiring specialized competence"
  ],
  "proeth:responsibilityType": "shared",
  "proeth:responsibleAgent": "Army official (requester); Engineer A (decision whether to comply)",
  "proeth:sufficientFactors": [
    "Combination of certification request + Engineer A\u0027s incompetence in the specialized field + inability to obtain training"
  ],
  "proeth:withinAgentControl": true
}

Causal Language: While there may be comprehensive training programs available, the facts reveal that insufficient funds exist for Engineer A to participate in such programs.

Necessary Factors (NESS):
  • Existence of a competency gap for Engineer A
  • Unavailability of training funds
  • Requirement of specialized knowledge to perform the certification
Sufficient Factors:
  • Competency gap + no feasible path to remedy it via training was enough to foreclose the option of Engineer A becoming qualified
Counterfactual Test: If training funds had been available and Engineer A completed comprehensive training, the competency objection could have been cured, though the Board notes the certification itself would still have been improper
Responsibility Attribution:

Agent: Army installation (employer controlling training funds)
Type: indirect
Within Agent Control: No

Causal Sequence:
  1. Training Funds Unavailability
    Comprehensive training exists but funds are not available for Engineer A
  2. Persisting Competency Gap
    Engineer A remains without significant training or knowledge in the specialized area
  3. Ethical Determination
    Board concludes Engineer A cannot ethically perform the requested certification services
Field classification (triples vs literals)
Relations (structural triples)
  • cause: Training Funds Unavailability
  • effect: Ethical Determination
  • responsibleAgent: Army installation (employer controlling training funds)
Literal extractions (kept for synthesis)
  • causalLanguage content: While there may be comprehensive training programs available, the facts reveal that insufficient funds exist for Engineer A to participate in such programs.
  • necessaryFactors content: Existence of a competency gap for Engineer A; Unavailability of training funds; Requirement of specialized knowledge to perform the certification
  • sufficientFactors content: Competency gap + no feasible path to remedy it via training was enough to foreclose the option of Engineer A becoming qualified
  • counterfactual content: If training funds had been available and Engineer A completed comprehensive training, the competency objection could have been cured, though the Board notes the certification itself would still have been improper
  • agentKnowledge content: Engineer A and the installation knew comprehensive training programs were available but unfunded
  • interveningFactors content: Budgetary constraints of the military installation
  • causalSequence content: {'proeth:step': 1, 'proeth:element': 'Training Funds Unavailability', 'proeth:description': 'Comprehensive training exists but funds are not available for Engineer A'}; {'proeth:step': 2, 'proeth:element': 'Persisting Competency Gap', 'proeth:description': 'Engineer A remains without significant training or knowledge in the specialized area'}; {'proeth:step': 3, 'proeth:element': 'Ethical Determination', 'proeth:description': 'Board concludes Engineer A cannot ethically perform the requested certification services'}
  • responsibilityType assessment: indirect
  • withinAgentControl assessment: False
RDF JSON-LD 
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  "@context": {
    "proeth": "http://proethica.org/ontology/intermediate#",
    "proeth-case": "http://proethica.org/ontology/case/109#",
    "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/109#CausalChain_2",
  "@type": "proeth:CausalChain",
  "generatedAtTime": "2026-07-13T13:05:02.328519+00:00",
  "proeth:agentKnowledge": "Engineer A and the installation knew comprehensive training programs were available but unfunded",
  "proeth:causalLanguage": "While there may be comprehensive training programs available, the facts reveal that insufficient funds exist for Engineer A to participate in such programs.",
  "proeth:causalSequence": [
    {
      "proeth:description": "Comprehensive training exists but funds are not available for Engineer A",
      "proeth:element": "Training Funds Unavailability",
      "proeth:step": 1
    },
    {
      "proeth:description": "Engineer A remains without significant training or knowledge in the specialized area",
      "proeth:element": "Persisting Competency Gap",
      "proeth:step": 2
    },
    {
      "proeth:description": "Board concludes Engineer A cannot ethically perform the requested certification services",
      "proeth:element": "Ethical Determination",
      "proeth:step": 3
    }
  ],
  "proeth:cause": "Training Funds Unavailability",
  "proeth:counterfactual": "If training funds had been available and Engineer A completed comprehensive training, the competency objection could have been cured, though the Board notes the certification itself would still have been improper",
  "proeth:discoveredInSection": "discussion",
  "proeth:effect": "Ethical Determination",
  "proeth:interveningFactors": [
    "Budgetary constraints of the military installation"
  ],
  "proeth:necessaryFactors": [
    "Existence of a competency gap for Engineer A",
    "Unavailability of training funds",
    "Requirement of specialized knowledge to perform the certification"
  ],
  "proeth:responsibilityType": "indirect",
  "proeth:responsibleAgent": "Army installation (employer controlling training funds)",
  "proeth:sufficientFactors": [
    "Competency gap + no feasible path to remedy it via training was enough to foreclose the option of Engineer A becoming qualified"
  ],
  "proeth:withinAgentControl": false
}

Causal Language: the construction contractor separately retained the services of Engineer B, a professional engineer, to design structural footings as part of the facility. Engineer B's degree and background were in chemical engineering.

Necessary Factors (NESS):
  • Contractor's decision to retain Engineer B specifically for footing design
  • Engineer B's acceptance of the engagement
  • Engineer B's lack of apparent training in foundation design
Sufficient Factors:
  • Retention of an unqualified engineer for a sole, exclusive design task he could not delegate feasibly
Counterfactual Test: Had the contractor retained a competent structural engineer, Engineer B would not have undertaken work outside his competence
Responsibility Attribution:

Agent: Construction contractor and Engineer B
Type: shared
Within Agent Control: Yes

Causal Sequence:
  1. Specialist Retention
    Contractor retains Engineer B, a chemical engineer, to design structural footings
  2. Out-of-Competence Work Undertaking
    Engineer B undertakes foundation design without apparent training in that field
  3. Board Finding of Unethical Conduct
    Board determined it would be unethical for Engineer B to perform the design of the structural footings
Field classification (triples vs literals)
Relations (structural triples)
  • cause: Specialist Retention
  • effect: Out-of-Competence Work Undertaking
  • responsibleAgent: Construction contractor and Engineer B
Literal extractions (kept for synthesis)
  • causalLanguage content: the construction contractor separately retained the services of Engineer B, a professional engineer, to design structural footings as part of the facility. Engineer B's degree and background were in chemical engineering.
  • necessaryFactors content: Contractor's decision to retain Engineer B specifically for footing design; Engineer B's acceptance of the engagement; Engineer B's lack of apparent training in foundation design
  • sufficientFactors content: Retention of an unqualified engineer for a sole, exclusive design task he could not delegate feasibly
  • counterfactual content: Had the contractor retained a competent structural engineer, Engineer B would not have undertaken work outside his competence
  • agentKnowledge content: Engineer B knew his degree and background were in chemical engineering, not foundation design
  • interveningFactors content: It appeared Engineer B was retained specifically for the sole and exclusive purpose of designing the structural footings
  • causalSequence content: {'proeth:step': 1, 'proeth:element': 'Specialist Retention', 'proeth:description': 'Contractor retains Engineer B, a chemical engineer, to design structural footings'}; {'proeth:step': 2, 'proeth:element': 'Out-of-Competence Work Undertaking', 'proeth:description': 'Engineer B undertakes foundation design without apparent training in that field'}; {'proeth:step': 3, 'proeth:element': 'Board Finding of Unethical Conduct', 'proeth:description': 'Board determined it would be unethical for Engineer B to perform the design of the structural footings'}
  • responsibilityType assessment: shared
  • withinAgentControl assessment: True
RDF JSON-LD 
{
  "@context": {
    "proeth": "http://proethica.org/ontology/intermediate#",
    "proeth-case": "http://proethica.org/ontology/case/109#",
    "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/109#CausalChain_3",
  "@type": "proeth:CausalChain",
  "generatedAtTime": "2026-07-13T13:05:02.328571+00:00",
  "proeth:agentKnowledge": "Engineer B knew his degree and background were in chemical engineering, not foundation design",
  "proeth:causalLanguage": "the construction contractor separately retained the services of Engineer B, a professional engineer, to design structural footings as part of the facility. Engineer B\u0027s degree and background were in chemical engineering.",
  "proeth:causalSequence": [
    {
      "proeth:description": "Contractor retains Engineer B, a chemical engineer, to design structural footings",
      "proeth:element": "Specialist Retention",
      "proeth:step": 1
    },
    {
      "proeth:description": "Engineer B undertakes foundation design without apparent training in that field",
      "proeth:element": "Out-of-Competence Work Undertaking",
      "proeth:step": 2
    },
    {
      "proeth:description": "Board determined it would be unethical for Engineer B to perform the design of the structural footings",
      "proeth:element": "Board Finding of Unethical Conduct",
      "proeth:step": 3
    }
  ],
  "proeth:cause": "Specialist Retention",
  "proeth:counterfactual": "Had the contractor retained a competent structural engineer, Engineer B would not have undertaken work outside his competence",
  "proeth:discoveredInSection": "discussion",
  "proeth:effect": "Out-of-Competence Work Undertaking",
  "proeth:interveningFactors": [
    "It appeared Engineer B was retained specifically for the sole and exclusive purpose of designing the structural footings"
  ],
  "proeth:necessaryFactors": [
    "Contractor\u0027s decision to retain Engineer B specifically for footing design",
    "Engineer B\u0027s acceptance of the engagement",
    "Engineer B\u0027s lack of apparent training in foundation design"
  ],
  "proeth:responsibilityType": "shared",
  "proeth:responsibleAgent": "Construction contractor and Engineer B",
  "proeth:sufficientFactors": [
    "Retention of an unqualified engineer for a sole, exclusive design task he could not delegate feasibly"
  ],
  "proeth:withinAgentControl": true
}

Causal Language: Engineer A had been unable to establish that Engineer B had any apparent subsequent training in foundation design and Engineer A had reservations concerning the competence of Engineer B to design the structural footings and reports his concerns to the contractor.

Necessary Factors (NESS):
  • Engineer B undertaking foundation design outside his competence
  • Engineer A's awareness of Engineer B's background
  • Engineer A's objective basis to assess Engineer B's education, experience, and training
Sufficient Factors:
  • Reasonable basis to conclude Engineer B lacked competence + Engineer A's ethical duty under the Code was sufficient to trigger reporting
Counterfactual Test: Had Engineer B possessed or demonstrated competence in foundation design, Engineer A would have had no reservations to report
Responsibility Attribution:

Agent: Engineer A (in BER Case 94-8)
Type: direct
Within Agent Control: Yes

Causal Sequence:
  1. Out-of-Competence Work Undertaking
    Engineer B undertakes structural footing design despite chemical engineering background
  2. Competency Assessment
    Engineer A is unable to establish Engineer B has training in foundation design
  3. Competency Concern Reporting
    Engineer A reports his concerns about Engineer B's competence to the contractor
Field classification (triples vs literals)
Relations (structural triples)
  • cause: Out-of-Competence Work Undertaking
  • effect: Competency Concern Reporting
  • responsibleAgent: Engineer A (in BER Case 94-8)
Literal extractions (kept for synthesis)
  • causalLanguage content: Engineer A had been unable to establish that Engineer B had any apparent subsequent training in foundation design and Engineer A had reservations concerning the competence of Engineer B to design the structural footings and reports his concerns to the contractor.
  • necessaryFactors content: Engineer B undertaking foundation design outside his competence; Engineer A's awareness of Engineer B's background; Engineer A's objective basis to assess Engineer B's education, experience, and training
  • sufficientFactors content: Reasonable basis to conclude Engineer B lacked competence + Engineer A's ethical duty under the Code was sufficient to trigger reporting
  • counterfactual content: Had Engineer B possessed or demonstrated competence in foundation design, Engineer A would have had no reservations to report
  • agentKnowledge content: Engineer A knew Engineer B's degree and background were in chemical engineering and could not establish subsequent training in foundation design
  • interveningFactors content: Ethical obligation under the Code to report concerns to client and authorities as appropriate
  • causalSequence content: {'proeth:step': 1, 'proeth:element': 'Out-of-Competence Work Undertaking', 'proeth:description': 'Engineer B undertakes structural footing design despite chemical engineering background'}; {'proeth:step': 2, 'proeth:element': 'Competency Assessment', 'proeth:description': 'Engineer A is unable to establish Engineer B has training in foundation design'}; {'proeth:step': 3, 'proeth:element': 'Competency Concern Reporting', 'proeth:description': "Engineer A reports his concerns about Engineer B's competence to the contractor"}
  • responsibilityType assessment: direct
  • withinAgentControl assessment: True
RDF JSON-LD 
{
  "@context": {
    "proeth": "http://proethica.org/ontology/intermediate#",
    "proeth-case": "http://proethica.org/ontology/case/109#",
    "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/109#CausalChain_4",
  "@type": "proeth:CausalChain",
  "generatedAtTime": "2026-07-13T13:05:02.328596+00:00",
  "proeth:agentKnowledge": "Engineer A knew Engineer B\u0027s degree and background were in chemical engineering and could not establish subsequent training in foundation design",
  "proeth:causalLanguage": "Engineer A had been unable to establish that Engineer B had any apparent subsequent training in foundation design and Engineer A had reservations concerning the competence of Engineer B to design the structural footings and reports his concerns to the contractor.",
  "proeth:causalSequence": [
    {
      "proeth:description": "Engineer B undertakes structural footing design despite chemical engineering background",
      "proeth:element": "Out-of-Competence Work Undertaking",
      "proeth:step": 1
    },
    {
      "proeth:description": "Engineer A is unable to establish Engineer B has training in foundation design",
      "proeth:element": "Competency Assessment",
      "proeth:step": 2
    },
    {
      "proeth:description": "Engineer A reports his concerns about Engineer B\u0027s competence to the contractor",
      "proeth:element": "Competency Concern Reporting",
      "proeth:step": 3
    }
  ],
  "proeth:cause": "Out-of-Competence Work Undertaking",
  "proeth:counterfactual": "Had Engineer B possessed or demonstrated competence in foundation design, Engineer A would have had no reservations to report",
  "proeth:discoveredInSection": "discussion",
  "proeth:effect": "Competency Concern Reporting",
  "proeth:interveningFactors": [
    "Ethical obligation under the Code to report concerns to client and authorities as appropriate"
  ],
  "proeth:necessaryFactors": [
    "Engineer B undertaking foundation design outside his competence",
    "Engineer A\u0027s awareness of Engineer B\u0027s background",
    "Engineer A\u0027s objective basis to assess Engineer B\u0027s education, experience, and training"
  ],
  "proeth:responsibilityType": "direct",
  "proeth:responsibleAgent": "Engineer A (in BER Case 94-8)",
  "proeth:sufficientFactors": [
    "Reasonable basis to conclude Engineer B lacked competence + Engineer A\u0027s ethical duty under the Code was sufficient to trigger reporting"
  ],
  "proeth:withinAgentControl": true
}

Causal Language: The first appointee to the position was not a P.E. and was therefore deemed unqualified to continue in the position. The county commissioners met and decided to appoint an engineer, a P.E. with experience and educational background solely in the field of chemical engineering.

Necessary Factors (NESS):
  • County ordinance requiring the county surveyor position be filled by a P.E.
  • First appointee's lack of P.E. licensure
  • Vacancy created by the disqualification
Sufficient Factors:
  • Disqualification of the first appointee + ordinance requirement was sufficient to prompt the commissioners' new appointment
Counterfactual Test: Had the first appointee been a P.E., there would have been no vacancy and no subsequent appointment of the chemical engineer
Responsibility Attribution:

Agent: County commissioners
Type: direct
Within Agent Control: Yes

Causal Sequence:
  1. Appointee Disqualification
    First appointee deemed unqualified because he was not a P.E.
  2. Unqualified Appointment Decision
    Commissioners appoint a P.E. with background solely in chemical engineering
  3. Position Acceptance
    The engineer accepts the county surveyor position
Field classification (triples vs literals)
Relations (structural triples)
  • cause: Appointee Disqualification
  • effect: Unqualified Appointment Decision
  • responsibleAgent: County commissioners
Literal extractions (kept for synthesis)
  • causalLanguage content: The first appointee to the position was not a P.E. and was therefore deemed unqualified to continue in the position. The county commissioners met and decided to appoint an engineer, a P.E. with experience and educational background solely in the field of chemical engineering.
  • necessaryFactors content: County ordinance requiring the county surveyor position be filled by a P.E.; First appointee's lack of P.E. licensure; Vacancy created by the disqualification
  • sufficientFactors content: Disqualification of the first appointee + ordinance requirement was sufficient to prompt the commissioners' new appointment
  • counterfactual content: Had the first appointee been a P.E., there would have been no vacancy and no subsequent appointment of the chemical engineer
  • agentKnowledge content: Commissioners knew the ordinance required a P.E. but appointed a P.E. with background solely in chemical engineering, not surveying
  • interveningFactors content: Local county ordinance requirements
  • causalSequence content: {'proeth:step': 1, 'proeth:element': 'Appointee Disqualification', 'proeth:description': 'First appointee deemed unqualified because he was not a P.E.'}; {'proeth:step': 2, 'proeth:element': 'Unqualified Appointment Decision', 'proeth:description': 'Commissioners appoint a P.E. with background solely in chemical engineering'}; {'proeth:step': 3, 'proeth:element': 'Position Acceptance', 'proeth:description': 'The engineer accepts the county surveyor position'}
  • responsibilityType assessment: direct
  • withinAgentControl assessment: True
RDF JSON-LD 
{
  "@context": {
    "proeth": "http://proethica.org/ontology/intermediate#",
    "proeth-case": "http://proethica.org/ontology/case/109#",
    "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/109#CausalChain_5",
  "@type": "proeth:CausalChain",
  "generatedAtTime": "2026-07-13T13:05:02.328617+00:00",
  "proeth:agentKnowledge": "Commissioners knew the ordinance required a P.E. but appointed a P.E. with background solely in chemical engineering, not surveying",
  "proeth:causalLanguage": "The first appointee to the position was not a P.E. and was therefore deemed unqualified to continue in the position. The county commissioners met and decided to appoint an engineer, a P.E. with experience and educational background solely in the field of chemical engineering.",
  "proeth:causalSequence": [
    {
      "proeth:description": "First appointee deemed unqualified because he was not a P.E.",
      "proeth:element": "Appointee Disqualification",
      "proeth:step": 1
    },
    {
      "proeth:description": "Commissioners appoint a P.E. with background solely in chemical engineering",
      "proeth:element": "Unqualified Appointment Decision",
      "proeth:step": 2
    },
    {
      "proeth:description": "The engineer accepts the county surveyor position",
      "proeth:element": "Position Acceptance",
      "proeth:step": 3
    }
  ],
  "proeth:cause": "Appointee Disqualification",
  "proeth:counterfactual": "Had the first appointee been a P.E., there would have been no vacancy and no subsequent appointment of the chemical engineer",
  "proeth:discoveredInSection": "discussion",
  "proeth:effect": "Unqualified Appointment Decision",
  "proeth:interveningFactors": [
    "Local county ordinance requirements"
  ],
  "proeth:necessaryFactors": [
    "County ordinance requiring the county surveyor position be filled by a P.E.",
    "First appointee\u0027s lack of P.E. licensure",
    "Vacancy created by the disqualification"
  ],
  "proeth:responsibilityType": "direct",
  "proeth:responsibleAgent": "County commissioners",
  "proeth:sufficientFactors": [
    "Disqualification of the first appointee + ordinance requirement was sufficient to prompt the commissioners\u0027 new appointment"
  ],
  "proeth:withinAgentControl": true
}

Causal Language: The county commissioners met and decided to appoint an engineer, a P.E. with experience and educational background solely in the field of chemical engineering. The engineer accepted the position.

Necessary Factors (NESS):
  • Commissioners' offer of the appointment
  • Engineer's willingness to accept despite lacking surveying background
Sufficient Factors:
  • Offer of the position + engineer's decision to accept despite competency mismatch
Counterfactual Test: Without the appointment decision, the engineer could not have accepted; had the engineer declined, the unethical acceptance found by the Board would not have occurred
Responsibility Attribution:

Agent: The engineer (appointee in BER Case 85-3)
Type: shared
Within Agent Control: Yes

Causal Sequence:
  1. Unqualified Appointment Decision
    Commissioners appoint a chemical engineer P.E. as county surveyor
  2. Position Acceptance
    The engineer accepts the position despite no surveying background
  3. Ineffective Oversight Situation
    It would be extremely difficult, if not impossible, for him to perform effective oversight of surveying reports
  4. Board Finding of Unethical Conduct
    The Board decided it was unethical for the engineer to accept the position as county surveyor
Field classification (triples vs literals)
Relations (structural triples)
  • cause: Unqualified Appointment Decision
  • effect: Position Acceptance
  • responsibleAgent: The engineer (appointee in BER Case 85-3)
Literal extractions (kept for synthesis)
  • causalLanguage content: The county commissioners met and decided to appoint an engineer, a P.E. with experience and educational background solely in the field of chemical engineering. The engineer accepted the position.
  • necessaryFactors content: Commissioners' offer of the appointment; Engineer's willingness to accept despite lacking surveying background
  • sufficientFactors content: Offer of the position + engineer's decision to accept despite competency mismatch
  • counterfactual content: Without the appointment decision, the engineer could not have accepted; had the engineer declined, the unethical acceptance found by the Board would not have occurred
  • agentKnowledge content: The engineer knew his experience and educational background were solely in chemical engineering, not surveying
  • interveningFactors content: Employment context limiting flexibility, unlike consulting practice where firms can retain expertise
  • causalSequence content: {'proeth:step': 1, 'proeth:element': 'Unqualified Appointment Decision', 'proeth:description': 'Commissioners appoint a chemical engineer P.E. as county surveyor'}; {'proeth:step': 2, 'proeth:element': 'Position Acceptance', 'proeth:description': 'The engineer accepts the position despite no surveying background'}; {'proeth:step': 3, 'proeth:element': 'Ineffective Oversight Situation', 'proeth:description': 'It would be extremely difficult, if not impossible, for him to perform effective oversight of surveying reports'}; {'proeth:step': 4, 'proeth:element': 'Board Finding of Unethical Conduct', 'proeth:description': 'The Board decided it was unethical for the engineer to accept the position as county surveyor'}
  • responsibilityType assessment: shared
  • withinAgentControl assessment: True
RDF JSON-LD 
{
  "@context": {
    "proeth": "http://proethica.org/ontology/intermediate#",
    "proeth-case": "http://proethica.org/ontology/case/109#",
    "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/109#CausalChain_6",
  "@type": "proeth:CausalChain",
  "generatedAtTime": "2026-07-13T13:05:02.328635+00:00",
  "proeth:agentKnowledge": "The engineer knew his experience and educational background were solely in chemical engineering, not surveying",
  "proeth:causalLanguage": "The county commissioners met and decided to appoint an engineer, a P.E. with experience and educational background solely in the field of chemical engineering. The engineer accepted the position.",
  "proeth:causalSequence": [
    {
      "proeth:description": "Commissioners appoint a chemical engineer P.E. as county surveyor",
      "proeth:element": "Unqualified Appointment Decision",
      "proeth:step": 1
    },
    {
      "proeth:description": "The engineer accepts the position despite no surveying background",
      "proeth:element": "Position Acceptance",
      "proeth:step": 2
    },
    {
      "proeth:description": "It would be extremely difficult, if not impossible, for him to perform effective oversight of surveying reports",
      "proeth:element": "Ineffective Oversight Situation",
      "proeth:step": 3
    },
    {
      "proeth:description": "The Board decided it was unethical for the engineer to accept the position as county surveyor",
      "proeth:element": "Board Finding of Unethical Conduct",
      "proeth:step": 4
    }
  ],
  "proeth:cause": "Unqualified Appointment Decision",
  "proeth:counterfactual": "Without the appointment decision, the engineer could not have accepted; had the engineer declined, the unethical acceptance found by the Board would not have occurred",
  "proeth:discoveredInSection": "discussion",
  "proeth:effect": "Position Acceptance",
  "proeth:interveningFactors": [
    "Employment context limiting flexibility, unlike consulting practice where firms can retain expertise"
  ],
  "proeth:necessaryFactors": [
    "Commissioners\u0027 offer of the appointment",
    "Engineer\u0027s willingness to accept despite lacking surveying background"
  ],
  "proeth:responsibilityType": "shared",
  "proeth:responsibleAgent": "The engineer (appointee in BER Case 85-3)",
  "proeth:sufficientFactors": [
    "Offer of the position + engineer\u0027s decision to accept despite competency mismatch"
  ],
  "proeth:withinAgentControl": true
}

Causal Language: State engineering licensure boards are beginning to make such certifications violations of state board rules of professional conduct; and the BER encourages these rule modifications.

Necessary Factors (NESS):
  • Prevalence of certification requests that amount to guarantees of correctness
  • Recognition that such certifications can be misleading and deceptive
  • State boards' regulatory authority over professional conduct
Sufficient Factors:
  • The pattern of misleading certification practice, of which this request is representative, was sufficient to prompt state boards to modify rules
Counterfactual Test: The rule modification trend is broader than this single case; this specific request did not alone cause the trend, but requests of this kind collectively motivated regulatory action
Responsibility Attribution:

Agent: State engineering licensure boards
Type: indirect
Within Agent Control: Yes

Causal Sequence:
  1. Certification Request
    Requests like the Army official's ask engineers to guarantee compliance beyond their knowledge
  2. Recognition of Misleading Nature
    Such statements, if made, would be misleading, deceptive and not ethical
  3. Regulatory Rule Modification
    State boards begin making such certifications violations of professional conduct rules
Field classification (triples vs literals)
Relations (structural triples)
  • cause: Certification Request
  • effect: Regulatory Rule Modification
  • responsibleAgent: State engineering licensure boards
Literal extractions (kept for synthesis)
  • causalLanguage content: State engineering licensure boards are beginning to make such certifications violations of state board rules of professional conduct; and the BER encourages these rule modifications.
  • necessaryFactors content: Prevalence of certification requests that amount to guarantees of correctness; Recognition that such certifications can be misleading and deceptive; State boards' regulatory authority over professional conduct
  • sufficientFactors content: The pattern of misleading certification practice, of which this request is representative, was sufficient to prompt state boards to modify rules
  • counterfactual content: The rule modification trend is broader than this single case; this specific request did not alone cause the trend, but requests of this kind collectively motivated regulatory action
  • agentKnowledge content: Boards recognized that a party providing a certification is generally providing a guarantee that the statements are correct, which can mislead when beyond the certifier's knowledge
  • interveningFactors content: BER encouragement of the rule modifications; General industry practice of requesting certifications
  • causalSequence content: {'proeth:step': 1, 'proeth:element': 'Certification Request', 'proeth:description': "Requests like the Army official's ask engineers to guarantee compliance beyond their knowledge"}; {'proeth:step': 2, 'proeth:element': 'Recognition of Misleading Nature', 'proeth:description': 'Such statements, if made, would be misleading, deceptive and not ethical'}; {'proeth:step': 3, 'proeth:element': 'Regulatory Rule Modification', 'proeth:description': 'State boards begin making such certifications violations of professional conduct rules'}
  • responsibilityType assessment: indirect
  • withinAgentControl assessment: True
RDF JSON-LD 
{
  "@context": {
    "proeth": "http://proethica.org/ontology/intermediate#",
    "proeth-case": "http://proethica.org/ontology/case/109#",
    "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/109#CausalChain_7",
  "@type": "proeth:CausalChain",
  "generatedAtTime": "2026-07-13T13:05:02.328654+00:00",
  "proeth:agentKnowledge": "Boards recognized that a party providing a certification is generally providing a guarantee that the statements are correct, which can mislead when beyond the certifier\u0027s knowledge",
  "proeth:causalLanguage": "State engineering licensure boards are beginning to make such certifications violations of state board rules of professional conduct; and the BER encourages these rule modifications.",
  "proeth:causalSequence": [
    {
      "proeth:description": "Requests like the Army official\u0027s ask engineers to guarantee compliance beyond their knowledge",
      "proeth:element": "Certification Request",
      "proeth:step": 1
    },
    {
      "proeth:description": "Such statements, if made, would be misleading, deceptive and not ethical",
      "proeth:element": "Recognition of Misleading Nature",
      "proeth:step": 2
    },
    {
      "proeth:description": "State boards begin making such certifications violations of professional conduct rules",
      "proeth:element": "Regulatory Rule Modification",
      "proeth:step": 3
    }
  ],
  "proeth:cause": "Certification Request",
  "proeth:counterfactual": "The rule modification trend is broader than this single case; this specific request did not alone cause the trend, but requests of this kind collectively motivated regulatory action",
  "proeth:discoveredInSection": "discussion",
  "proeth:effect": "Regulatory Rule Modification",
  "proeth:interveningFactors": [
    "BER encouragement of the rule modifications",
    "General industry practice of requesting certifications"
  ],
  "proeth:necessaryFactors": [
    "Prevalence of certification requests that amount to guarantees of correctness",
    "Recognition that such certifications can be misleading and deceptive",
    "State boards\u0027 regulatory authority over professional conduct"
  ],
  "proeth:responsibilityType": "indirect",
  "proeth:responsibleAgent": "State engineering licensure boards",
  "proeth:sufficientFactors": [
    "The pattern of misleading certification practice, of which this request is representative, was sufficient to prompt state boards to modify rules"
  ],
  "proeth:withinAgentControl": true
}
Allen Temporal Relations (9)
Interval algebra relationships with OWL-Time standard properties
From Entity Allen Relation To Entity OWL-Time Property Evidence
Engineer A's service as Civilian Building and Grounds Division Chief overlaps
Entity1 starts before Entity2 and ends during Entity2 		Army official's certification request time:intervalOverlaps
http://www.w3.org/2006/time#intervalOverlaps 		Engineer A ... served as a Civilian Building and Grounds Division Chief at a U.S. Army installation.... [more]
Army official's certification request before
Entity1 is before Entity2 		Board's analysis and conclusion time:intervalBefore
http://www.w3.org/2006/time#intervalBefore 		The Discussion section retrospectively analyzes this pending request ... and concludes that Engineer... [more]
Engineer A's reservations about Engineer B's competence before
Entity1 is before Entity2 		Engineer A reporting concerns to the contractor time:intervalBefore
http://www.w3.org/2006/time#intervalBefore 		Engineer A had reservations concerning the competence of Engineer B to design the structural footing... [more]
Engineer A confronting Engineer B with concerns before
Entity1 is before Entity2 		Engineer A bringing the matter to the client and authorities time:intervalBefore
http://www.w3.org/2006/time#intervalBefore 		If Engineer B refused to acquiesce to Engineer A's recommendation, Engineer A had an obligation unde... [more]
bringing the matter to client and authorities before
Entity1 is before Entity2 		withdrawal from the project (if concerns not met) time:intervalBefore
http://www.w3.org/2006/time#intervalBefore 		to bring the matter to the attention of his client and to the authorities as appropriate, and if nec... [more]
first (non-P.E.) appointee's tenure as county surveyor before
Entity1 is before Entity2 		appointment of the chemical engineer (P.E.) as county surveyor time:intervalBefore
http://www.w3.org/2006/time#intervalBefore 		The first appointee to the position was not a P.E. and was therefore deemed unqualified to continue ... [more]
county commissioners' meeting and appointment decision before
Entity1 is before Entity2 		engineer accepting the county surveyor position time:intervalBefore
http://www.w3.org/2006/time#intervalBefore 		The county commissioners met and decided to appoint an engineer ... The engineer accepted the positi... [more]
completion of comprehensive training programs before
Entity1 is before Entity2 		competent certification of arms storage compliance (hypothetical, unfunded) time:intervalBefore
http://www.w3.org/2006/time#intervalBefore 		There are comprehensive training programs available for this type of work, but training funds are no... [more]
detailed and exhaustive inspection of the facility before
Entity1 is before Entity2 		certification of compliance with Army regulations (hypothetical) time:intervalBefore
http://www.w3.org/2006/time#intervalBefore 		it would be impossible for Engineer A to perform the detailed and exhaustive inspection of the facil... [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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