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Overview
Provenance Draft

PASS 3: Temporal Dynamics

Case 146: Disclosure of Personal Information

24 entities 5 actions 3 events 5 causal chains 10 temporal relations
Timeline Overview
Action Event 8 sequenced markers
Conference Attendance Recently, before the present deliberation
Employment Acquisition Without Disclosure 5 years before the present case
Condition Non-Disclosure Ongoing over 25-year career, including 5 years with current employer
Disclosure Deliberation After the autism support conference, decision pending at time of case
Case Distinction Determination At time of Board review
Self-Advocacy Presentation During the recent autism support conference
Career Concern Emergence After considerable thought, following the conference
Code Provision Addition Prior to the Board's review of the case
OWL-Time Temporal Structure 10 relations time: = w3.org/2006/time
employment with current employer (5 years) time:intervalFinishes 25-year engineering career
employment with previous employers time:intervalBefore employment with current employer
non-disclosure of Asperger's Syndrome diagnosis time:intervalDuring 25-year engineering career
autism support conference attendance time:intervalBefore Engineer A's consideration of NSPE Code 'avoid deceptive acts' language
speaker's self-advocacy presentation time:intervalDuring autism support conference
obtaining employment without disclosing autism time:intervalBefore consideration of disclosing autism
consideration of NSPE Code language time:intervalBefore decision whether to disclose autism (pending at time of case)
earlier BER cases examining the deception issue time:intervalBefore the present case
events of the case (non-disclosure, conference, reflection) time:intervalBefore Board's Discussion and analysis
potential disclosure of autism time:intervalBefore potential career jeopardy or limited career options
Extracted Actions (5)
Volitional professional decisions with intentions and ethical context

Description: Engineer A obtained his current employment five years ago without disclosing his autism to the employer.

Temporal Marker: 5 years before the present case instant

Fluent Transitions:
Initiates (2)
  • Current Employment Relationship
  • Autism Undisclosed State

Mental State: deliberate

Intended Outcome: Secure employment on the basis of his professional qualifications

Foreseen Unintended Effects:

  • Later disclosure might place his career in jeopardy or limit career options
Guided By Principles:
  • Right to Privacy
Required Capabilities:
Air pollution control expertise Air emissions permitting expertise
Within Competence: Yes
Field classification (triples vs literals)
Relations (structural triples)
  • guidedByPrinciple: Right to Privacy
  • requiresCapability: Air pollution control expertise; Air emissions permitting expertise
  • initiates: Current Employment Relationship; Autism Undisclosed State
Literal extractions (kept for synthesis)
  • description content: Engineer A obtained his current employment five years ago without disclosing his autism to the employer.
  • hasAgent content: Engineer A
  • temporalMarker content: 5 years before the present case
  • eventRoleContext content: Professional Engineer
  • hasMentalState content: deliberate
  • intendedOutcome content: Secure employment on the basis of his professional qualifications
  • foreseenUnintendedEffects content: Later disclosure might place his career in jeopardy or limit career options
  • textReferences content: because Engineer A obtained his employment without disclosing his autism, Engineer A is concerned that doing so might place his career in jeopardy
  • temporalExtent content: instant
  • temporalSequence content: 1
  • withinCompetence assessment: True
RDF JSON-LD 
{
  "@context": {
    "proeth": "http://proethica.org/ontology/intermediate#",
    "proeth-case": "http://proethica.org/ontology/case/146#",
    "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/146#Action_Employment_Acquisition_Without_Disclosure",
  "@type": "proeth:Action",
  "generatedAtTime": "2026-07-14T13:48:26.574242+00:00",
  "proeth:description": "Engineer A obtained his current employment five years ago without disclosing his autism to the employer.",
  "proeth:discoveredInSection": "facts",
  "proeth:eventRoleContext": "Professional Engineer",
  "proeth:foreseenUnintendedEffects": [
    "Later disclosure might place his career in jeopardy or limit career options"
  ],
  "proeth:guidedByPrinciple": [
    "Right to Privacy"
  ],
  "proeth:hasAgent": "Engineer A",
  "proeth:hasMentalState": "deliberate",
  "proeth:initiates": [
    "Current Employment Relationship",
    "Autism Undisclosed State"
  ],
  "proeth:intendedOutcome": "Secure employment on the basis of his professional qualifications",
  "proeth:requiresCapability": [
    "Air pollution control expertise",
    "Air emissions permitting expertise"
  ],
  "proeth:temporalExtent": "instant",
  "proeth:temporalMarker": "5 years before the present case",
  "proeth:temporalSequence": 1,
  "proeth:textReferences": [
    "because Engineer A obtained his employment without disclosing his autism, Engineer A is concerned that doing so might place his career in jeopardy"
  ],
  "proeth:withinCompetence": true,
  "rdfs:label": "Employment Acquisition Without Disclosure"
}

Description: Engineer A, over a 25-year career with multiple employers, deliberately kept his autism (Asperger's Syndrome) private from all employers, including his current employer of 5 years.

Temporal Marker: Ongoing over 25-year career, including 5 years with current employer interval

Fluent Transitions:
Initiates (1)
  • Autism Undisclosed State

Mental State: deliberate, privacy-protective

Intended Outcome: Maintain a successful professional career without exposure to potential employer or client bias

Foreseen Unintended Effects:

  • Possible later tension with the NSPE Code language on avoiding deceptive acts
Guided By Principles:
  • Right to Privacy
Required Capabilities:
Professional discretion Competent engineering practice
Within Competence: Yes
Field classification (triples vs literals)
Relations (structural triples)
  • guidedByPrinciple: Right to Privacy
  • requiresCapability: Professional discretion; Competent engineering practice
  • initiates: Autism Undisclosed State
Literal extractions (kept for synthesis)
  • description content: Engineer A, over a 25-year career with multiple employers, deliberately kept his autism (Asperger's Syndrome) private from all employers, including his current employer of 5 years.
  • hasAgent content: Engineer A
  • temporalMarker content: Ongoing over 25-year career, including 5 years with current employer
  • eventRoleContext content: Professional Engineer, licensed in four states
  • hasMentalState content: deliberate, privacy-protective
  • intendedOutcome content: Maintain a successful professional career without exposure to potential employer or client bias
  • foreseenUnintendedEffects content: Possible later tension with the NSPE Code language on avoiding deceptive acts
  • textReferences content: Engineer A has kept this fact not only from his current employer (which he has worked for 5 years) but also previous employers.
  • temporalExtent content: interval
  • temporalSequence content: 2
  • withinCompetence assessment: True
RDF JSON-LD 
{
  "@context": {
    "proeth": "http://proethica.org/ontology/intermediate#",
    "proeth-case": "http://proethica.org/ontology/case/146#",
    "rdf": "http://www.w3.org/1999/02/22-rdf-syntax-ns#",
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    "time": "http://www.w3.org/2006/time#"
  },
  "@id": "http://proethica.org/ontology/case/146#Action_Condition_Non-Disclosure",
  "@type": "proeth:Action",
  "generatedAtTime": "2026-07-14T13:48:26.574071+00:00",
  "proeth:description": "Engineer A, over a 25-year career with multiple employers, deliberately kept his autism (Asperger\u0027s Syndrome) private from all employers, including his current employer of 5 years.",
  "proeth:discoveredInSection": "facts",
  "proeth:eventRoleContext": "Professional Engineer, licensed in four states",
  "proeth:foreseenUnintendedEffects": [
    "Possible later tension with the NSPE Code language on avoiding deceptive acts"
  ],
  "proeth:guidedByPrinciple": [
    "Right to Privacy"
  ],
  "proeth:hasAgent": "Engineer A",
  "proeth:hasMentalState": "deliberate, privacy-protective",
  "proeth:initiates": [
    "Autism Undisclosed State"
  ],
  "proeth:intendedOutcome": "Maintain a successful professional career without exposure to potential employer or client bias",
  "proeth:requiresCapability": [
    "Professional discretion",
    "Competent engineering practice"
  ],
  "proeth:temporalExtent": "interval",
  "proeth:temporalMarker": "Ongoing over 25-year career, including 5 years with current employer",
  "proeth:temporalSequence": 2,
  "proeth:textReferences": [
    "Engineer A has kept this fact not only from his current employer (which he has worked for 5 years) but also previous employers."
  ],
  "proeth:withinCompetence": true,
  "rdfs:label": "Condition Non-Disclosure"
}

Description: Engineer A recently attended an autism support conference where a speaker presented on self-advocacy, encouraging autistic individuals to share who they are and what they can do.

Temporal Marker: Recently, before the present deliberation instant

Fluent Transitions:
Initiates (1)
  • Disclosure Deliberation State

Mental State: voluntary, seeking support and information

Intended Outcome: Engage with the autism support community

Guided By Principles:
  • Self-Advocacy
Within Competence: Yes
Field classification (triples vs literals)
Relations (structural triples)
  • guidedByPrinciple: Self-Advocacy
  • initiates: Disclosure Deliberation State
Literal extractions (kept for synthesis)
  • description content: Engineer A recently attended an autism support conference where a speaker presented on self-advocacy, encouraging autistic individuals to share who they are and what they can do.
  • hasAgent content: Engineer A
  • temporalMarker content: Recently, before the present deliberation
  • eventRoleContext content: Professional Engineer
  • hasMentalState content: voluntary, seeking support and information
  • intendedOutcome content: Engage with the autism support community
  • textReferences content: Engineer A recently attended an autism support conference. One of the speakers presented on self-advocacy, which encourages autistic individuals, when able, to share who they are and what they can do.
  • temporalExtent content: instant
  • temporalSequence content: 4
  • withinCompetence assessment: True
RDF JSON-LD 
{
  "@context": {
    "proeth": "http://proethica.org/ontology/intermediate#",
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    "rdfs": "http://www.w3.org/2000/01/rdf-schema#",
    "time": "http://www.w3.org/2006/time#"
  },
  "@id": "http://proethica.org/ontology/case/146#Action_Conference_Attendance",
  "@type": "proeth:Action",
  "generatedAtTime": "2026-07-14T13:48:26.574287+00:00",
  "proeth:description": "Engineer A recently attended an autism support conference where a speaker presented on self-advocacy, encouraging autistic individuals to share who they are and what they can do.",
  "proeth:discoveredInSection": "facts",
  "proeth:eventRoleContext": "Professional Engineer",
  "proeth:guidedByPrinciple": [
    "Self-Advocacy"
  ],
  "proeth:hasAgent": "Engineer A",
  "proeth:hasMentalState": "voluntary, seeking support and information",
  "proeth:initiates": [
    "Disclosure Deliberation State"
  ],
  "proeth:intendedOutcome": "Engage with the autism support community",
  "proeth:temporalExtent": "instant",
  "proeth:temporalMarker": "Recently, before the present deliberation",
  "proeth:temporalSequence": 4,
  "proeth:textReferences": [
    "Engineer A recently attended an autism support conference. One of the speakers presented on self-advocacy, which encourages autistic individuals, when able, to share who they are and what they can do."
  ],
  "proeth:withinCompetence": true,
  "rdfs:label": "Conference Attendance"
}

Description: After the conference, Engineer A gave considerable thought to whether to disclose his autism, weighing the NSPE Code language on avoiding deceptive acts against the risk that disclosure could jeopardize his career or limit future options due to employer bias.

Temporal Marker: After the autism support conference, decision pending at time of case interval

Fluent Transitions:
Initiates (1)
  • Career Jeopardy Concern State

Mental State: reflective, conflicted, considerable thought

Intended Outcome: Reach a decision about whether to be open about his autism

Foreseen Unintended Effects:

  • Disclosure could limit his career options if his employer and potential future employers have biases or concerns about client interactions
Guided By Principles:
  • Avoidance of Deceptive Acts
  • Self-Advocacy
  • Right to Privacy
Required Capabilities:
Ethical reasoning Self-assessment
Within Competence: Yes
Field classification (triples vs literals)
Relations (structural triples)
  • guidedByPrinciple: Avoidance of Deceptive Acts; Self-Advocacy; Right to Privacy
  • requiresCapability: Ethical reasoning; Self-assessment
  • initiates: Career Jeopardy Concern State
Literal extractions (kept for synthesis)
  • description content: After the conference, Engineer A gave considerable thought to whether to disclose his autism, weighing the NSPE Code language on avoiding deceptive acts against the risk that disclosure could jeopardize his career or limit future options due to employer bias.
  • hasAgent content: Engineer A
  • temporalMarker content: After the autism support conference, decision pending at time of case
  • eventRoleContext content: Professional Engineer
  • hasMentalState content: reflective, conflicted, considerable thought
  • intendedOutcome content: Reach a decision about whether to be open about his autism
  • foreseenUnintendedEffects content: Disclosure could limit his career options if his employer and potential future employers have biases or concerns about client interactions
  • textReferences content: After considerable thought, Engineer A considered the language in the NSPE Code of Ethics, which requires engineers to “avoid deceptive acts.”; Engineer A would like to be open about his autism, but because Engineer A obtained his employment without disclosing his autism, Engineer A is concerned that doing so might place his career in jeopardy.
  • 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/146#",
    "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/146#Action_Disclosure_Deliberation",
  "@type": "proeth:Action",
  "generatedAtTime": "2026-07-14T13:48:26.574318+00:00",
  "proeth:description": "After the conference, Engineer A gave considerable thought to whether to disclose his autism, weighing the NSPE Code language on avoiding deceptive acts against the risk that disclosure could jeopardize his career or limit future options due to employer bias.",
  "proeth:discoveredInSection": "facts",
  "proeth:eventRoleContext": "Professional Engineer",
  "proeth:foreseenUnintendedEffects": [
    "Disclosure could limit his career options if his employer and potential future employers have biases or concerns about client interactions"
  ],
  "proeth:guidedByPrinciple": [
    "Avoidance of Deceptive Acts",
    "Self-Advocacy",
    "Right to Privacy"
  ],
  "proeth:hasAgent": "Engineer A",
  "proeth:hasMentalState": "reflective, conflicted, considerable thought",
  "proeth:initiates": [
    "Career Jeopardy Concern State"
  ],
  "proeth:intendedOutcome": "Reach a decision about whether to be open about his autism",
  "proeth:requiresCapability": [
    "Ethical reasoning",
    "Self-assessment"
  ],
  "proeth:temporalExtent": "interval",
  "proeth:temporalMarker": "After the autism support conference, decision pending at time of case",
  "proeth:temporalSequence": 6,
  "proeth:textReferences": [
    "After considerable thought, Engineer A considered the language in the NSPE Code of Ethics, which requires engineers to \u201cavoid deceptive acts.\u201d",
    "Engineer A would like to be open about his autism, but because Engineer A obtained his employment without disclosing his autism, Engineer A is concerned that doing so might place his career in jeopardy."
  ],
  "proeth:withinCompetence": true,
  "rdfs:label": "Disclosure Deliberation"
}

Description: The Board deliberately distinguished the present case from earlier BER deception cases, framing Engineer A's non-disclosure of a personal condition as a legitimate exercise of privacy rather than deception under the NSPE Code.

Temporal Marker: At time of Board review instant

Fluent Transitions:
Initiates (1)
  • Non-Disclosure Framed as Personal Matter
Terminates (1)
  • Disclosure Deliberation State

Mental State: deliberative, interpretive

Intended Outcome: Clarify the scope of the deception language in the NSPE Code and affirm Engineer A's right to privacy

Guided By Principles:
  • Right to Privacy
  • Dignity, Respect, Fairness, and Non-Discrimination
Required Capabilities:
Ethical interpretation of the NSPE Code Precedent analysis
Within Competence: Yes
Field classification (triples vs literals)
Relations (structural triples)
  • guidedByPrinciple: Right to Privacy; Dignity, Respect, Fairness, and Non-Discrimination
  • requiresCapability: Ethical interpretation of the NSPE Code; Precedent analysis
  • initiates: Non-Disclosure Framed as Personal Matter
  • terminates: Disclosure Deliberation State
Literal extractions (kept for synthesis)
  • description content: The Board deliberately distinguished the present case from earlier BER deception cases, framing Engineer A's non-disclosure of a personal condition as a legitimate exercise of privacy rather than deception under the NSPE Code.
  • hasAgent content: NSPE Board of Ethical Review
  • temporalMarker content: At time of Board review
  • hasMentalState content: deliberative, interpretive
  • intendedOutcome content: Clarify the scope of the deception language in the NSPE Code and affirm Engineer A's right to privacy
  • textReferences content: the Board finds a clear distinction between the earlier BER cases examining the deception issue and the present case; The extent of one’s legitimate right to privacy cannot be measured by language in the NSPE Code of Ethics relating to the “avoidance of deception.”
  • temporalExtent content: instant
  • temporalSequence content: 8
  • withinCompetence assessment: True
RDF JSON-LD 
{
  "@context": {
    "proeth": "http://proethica.org/ontology/intermediate#",
    "proeth-case": "http://proethica.org/ontology/case/146#",
    "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/146#Action_Case_Distinction_Determination",
  "@type": "proeth:Action",
  "generatedAtTime": "2026-07-14T13:48:26.574394+00:00",
  "proeth:description": "The Board deliberately distinguished the present case from earlier BER deception cases, framing Engineer A\u0027s non-disclosure of a personal condition as a legitimate exercise of privacy rather than deception under the NSPE Code.",
  "proeth:discoveredInSection": "discussion",
  "proeth:guidedByPrinciple": [
    "Right to Privacy",
    "Dignity, Respect, Fairness, and Non-Discrimination"
  ],
  "proeth:hasAgent": "NSPE Board of Ethical Review",
  "proeth:hasMentalState": "deliberative, interpretive",
  "proeth:initiates": [
    "Non-Disclosure Framed as Personal Matter"
  ],
  "proeth:intendedOutcome": "Clarify the scope of the deception language in the NSPE Code and affirm Engineer A\u0027s right to privacy",
  "proeth:requiresCapability": [
    "Ethical interpretation of the NSPE Code",
    "Precedent analysis"
  ],
  "proeth:temporalExtent": "instant",
  "proeth:temporalMarker": "At time of Board review",
  "proeth:temporalSequence": 8,
  "proeth:terminates": [
    "Disclosure Deliberation State"
  ],
  "proeth:textReferences": [
    "the Board finds a clear distinction between the earlier BER cases examining the deception issue and the present case",
    "The extent of one\u2019s legitimate right to privacy cannot be measured by language in the NSPE Code of Ethics relating to the \u201cavoidance of deception.\u201d"
  ],
  "proeth:withinCompetence": true,
  "rdfs:label": "Case Distinction Determination"
}
Extracted Events (3)
Occurrences that trigger ethical considerations and state changes

Description: A new provision, Section III.1.f, was added to the NSPE Code of Ethics requiring engineers to treat all persons with dignity, respect, fairness, and without discrimination. The Board cites this newest addition as relevant to Engineer A's perceived bias.

Temporal Marker: Prior to the Board's review of the case instant

Fluent Transitions:
Initiates (1)
  • Nondiscrimination Provision In Effect
Field classification (triples vs literals)
Relations (structural triples)
  • initiates: Nondiscrimination Provision In Effect
Literal extractions (kept for synthesis)
  • description content: A new provision, Section III.1.f, was added to the NSPE Code of Ethics requiring engineers to treat all persons with dignity, respect, fairness, and without discrimination. The Board cites this newest addition as relevant to Engineer A's perceived bias.
  • temporalMarker content: Prior to the Board's review of the case
  • textReferences content: This demonstrates the relevance of the newest addition to the NSPE Code of Ethics Section III.1.f.: “Engineers shall treat all persons with dignity, respect, fairness, and without discrimination.”
  • eventType content: exogenous
  • temporalExtent content: instant
  • temporalSequence content: 3
  • confidence assessment: 0.75
RDF JSON-LD 
{
  "@context": {
    "proeth": "http://proethica.org/ontology/intermediate#",
    "proeth-case": "http://proethica.org/ontology/case/146#",
    "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/146#Event_Code_Provision_Addition",
  "@type": "proeth:Event",
  "generatedAtTime": "2026-07-14T13:48:26.574549+00:00",
  "proeth:confidence": "0.75",
  "proeth:description": "A new provision, Section III.1.f, was added to the NSPE Code of Ethics requiring engineers to treat all persons with dignity, respect, fairness, and without discrimination. The Board cites this newest addition as relevant to Engineer A\u0027s perceived bias.",
  "proeth:discoveredInSection": "discussion",
  "proeth:eventType": "exogenous",
  "proeth:initiates": [
    "Nondiscrimination Provision In Effect"
  ],
  "proeth:temporalExtent": "instant",
  "proeth:temporalMarker": "Prior to the Board\u0027s review of the case",
  "proeth:temporalSequence": 3,
  "proeth:textReferences": [
    "This demonstrates the relevance of the newest addition to the NSPE Code of Ethics Section III.1.f.: \u201cEngineers shall treat all persons with dignity, respect, fairness, and without discrimination.\u201d"
  ],
  "rdfs:label": "Code Provision Addition"
}

Description: At the autism support conference, a speaker presented on self-advocacy, encouraging autistic individuals to share who they are and stating they should be treated with respect rather than as having special needs. This occurrence prompted Engineer A's subsequent reflection on disclosure.

Temporal Marker: During the recent autism support conference interval

Fluent Transitions:
Initiates (2)
  • Self-Advocacy Awareness
  • Disclosure Dilemma
Field classification (triples vs literals)
Relations (structural triples)
  • initiates: Self-Advocacy Awareness; Disclosure Dilemma
Literal extractions (kept for synthesis)
  • description content: At the autism support conference, a speaker presented on self-advocacy, encouraging autistic individuals to share who they are and stating they should be treated with respect rather than as having special needs. This occurrence prompted Engineer A's subsequent reflection on disclosure.
  • temporalMarker content: During the recent autism support conference
  • textReferences content: One of the speakers presented on self-advocacy, which encourages autistic individuals, when able, to share who they are and what they can do.; The speaker noted that a person with autism needs to be treated with respect and not as someone with “special needs.”
  • eventType content: exogenous
  • temporalExtent content: interval
  • temporalSequence content: 5
  • confidence assessment: 0.9
RDF JSON-LD 
{
  "@context": {
    "proeth": "http://proethica.org/ontology/intermediate#",
    "proeth-case": "http://proethica.org/ontology/case/146#",
    "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/146#Event_Self-Advocacy_Presentation",
  "@type": "proeth:Event",
  "generatedAtTime": "2026-07-14T13:48:26.574487+00:00",
  "proeth:confidence": "0.9",
  "proeth:description": "At the autism support conference, a speaker presented on self-advocacy, encouraging autistic individuals to share who they are and stating they should be treated with respect rather than as having special needs. This occurrence prompted Engineer A\u0027s subsequent reflection on disclosure.",
  "proeth:discoveredInSection": "facts",
  "proeth:eventType": "exogenous",
  "proeth:initiates": [
    "Self-Advocacy Awareness",
    "Disclosure Dilemma"
  ],
  "proeth:temporalExtent": "interval",
  "proeth:temporalMarker": "During the recent autism support conference",
  "proeth:temporalSequence": 5,
  "proeth:textReferences": [
    "One of the speakers presented on self-advocacy, which encourages autistic individuals, when able, to share who they are and what they can do.",
    "The speaker noted that a person with autism needs to be treated with respect and not as someone with \u201cspecial needs.\u201d"
  ],
  "rdfs:label": "Self-Advocacy Presentation"
}

Description: Following his deliberation on disclosure, Engineer A came to perceive that revealing his autism might jeopardize his career or limit future options due to potential employer and client bias. This perceived bias risk is what the Board's discussion later weighs against the deception language.

Temporal Marker: After considerable thought, following the conference instant

Fluent Transitions:
Initiates (2)
  • Perceived Bias Risk
  • Career Jeopardy Concern

Caused By Action: Action_Disclosure_Deliberation

Field classification (triples vs literals)
Relations (structural triples)
  • causedByAction: http://proethica.org/ontology/case/146#Action_Disclosure_Deliberation
  • initiates: Perceived Bias Risk; Career Jeopardy Concern
Literal extractions (kept for synthesis)
  • description content: Following his deliberation on disclosure, Engineer A came to perceive that revealing his autism might jeopardize his career or limit future options due to potential employer and client bias. This perceived bias risk is what the Board's discussion later weighs against the deception language.
  • temporalMarker content: After considerable thought, following the conference
  • textReferences content: Engineer A is concerned that doing so might place his career in jeopardy; Engineer A perceived the potential for bias on the part of Engineer A’s employer and clients
  • eventType content: outcome
  • temporalExtent content: instant
  • temporalSequence content: 7
  • confidence assessment: 0.8
RDF JSON-LD 
{
  "@context": {
    "proeth": "http://proethica.org/ontology/intermediate#",
    "proeth-case": "http://proethica.org/ontology/case/146#",
    "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/146#Event_Career_Concern_Emergence",
  "@type": "proeth:Event",
  "generatedAtTime": "2026-07-14T13:48:26.574524+00:00",
  "proeth:causedByAction": "http://proethica.org/ontology/case/146#Action_Disclosure_Deliberation",
  "proeth:confidence": "0.8",
  "proeth:description": "Following his deliberation on disclosure, Engineer A came to perceive that revealing his autism might jeopardize his career or limit future options due to potential employer and client bias. This perceived bias risk is what the Board\u0027s discussion later weighs against the deception language.",
  "proeth:discoveredInSection": "facts",
  "proeth:eventType": "outcome",
  "proeth:initiates": [
    "Perceived Bias Risk",
    "Career Jeopardy Concern"
  ],
  "proeth:temporalExtent": "instant",
  "proeth:temporalMarker": "After considerable thought, following the conference",
  "proeth:temporalSequence": 7,
  "proeth:textReferences": [
    "Engineer A is concerned that doing so might place his career in jeopardy",
    "Engineer A perceived the potential for bias on the part of Engineer A\u2019s employer and clients"
  ],
  "rdfs:label": "Career Concern Emergence"
}
Causal Chains (5)
NESS test analysis: Necessary Element of Sufficient Set

Causal Language: Engineer A recently attended an autism support conference. One of the speakers presented on self-advocacy, which encourages autistic individuals, when able, to share who they are and what they can do.

Necessary Factors (NESS):
  • Engineer A's decision to attend the autism support conference
  • Exposure to the self-advocacy message at the conference
  • Engineer A's long-standing concealment of his condition creating a live question to deliberate
Sufficient Factors:
  • Attendance at the conference combined with the self-advocacy presentation and Engineer A's history of non-disclosure was sufficient to trigger his deliberation over disclosure
Counterfactual Test: Had Engineer A not attended the conference, he would not have encountered the self-advocacy message and the deliberation over disclosure would likely not have begun at this time
Responsibility Attribution:

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

Causal Sequence:
  1. Conference Attendance
    Engineer A attends an autism support conference
  2. Self-Advocacy Presentation
    A speaker presents on self-advocacy, encouraging autistic individuals to share who they are and what they can do
  3. Disclosure Deliberation
    After considerable thought, Engineer A weighs disclosure against the NSPE Code language on avoiding deceptive acts
Field classification (triples vs literals)
Relations (structural triples)
  • cause: Conference Attendance
  • effect: Disclosure Deliberation
  • responsibleAgent: Engineer A
Literal extractions (kept for synthesis)
  • causalLanguage content: Engineer A recently attended an autism support conference. One of the speakers presented on self-advocacy, which encourages autistic individuals, when able, to share who they are and what they can do.
  • necessaryFactors content: Engineer A's decision to attend the autism support conference; Exposure to the self-advocacy message at the conference; Engineer A's long-standing concealment of his condition creating a live question to deliberate
  • sufficientFactors content: Attendance at the conference combined with the self-advocacy presentation and Engineer A's history of non-disclosure was sufficient to trigger his deliberation over disclosure
  • counterfactual content: Had Engineer A not attended the conference, he would not have encountered the self-advocacy message and the deliberation over disclosure would likely not have begun at this time
  • agentKnowledge content: Engineer A knew he had concealed his autism from all employers over 25 years and chose to attend a conference addressing autism-related issues
  • interveningFactors content: Speaker's choice of self-advocacy as a presentation topic
  • causalSequence content: {'proeth:step': 1, 'proeth:element': 'Conference Attendance', 'proeth:description': 'Engineer A attends an autism support conference'}; {'proeth:step': 2, 'proeth:element': 'Self-Advocacy Presentation', 'proeth:description': 'A speaker presents on self-advocacy, encouraging autistic individuals to share who they are and what they can do'}; {'proeth:step': 3, 'proeth:element': 'Disclosure Deliberation', 'proeth:description': 'After considerable thought, Engineer A weighs disclosure against the NSPE Code language on avoiding deceptive acts'}
  • responsibilityType assessment: direct
  • withinAgentControl assessment: True
RDF JSON-LD 
{
  "@context": {
    "proeth": "http://proethica.org/ontology/intermediate#",
    "proeth-case": "http://proethica.org/ontology/case/146#",
    "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/146#CausalChain_1",
  "@type": "proeth:CausalChain",
  "generatedAtTime": "2026-07-14T13:48:26.574607+00:00",
  "proeth:agentKnowledge": "Engineer A knew he had concealed his autism from all employers over 25 years and chose to attend a conference addressing autism-related issues",
  "proeth:causalLanguage": "Engineer A recently attended an autism support conference. One of the speakers presented on self-advocacy, which encourages autistic individuals, when able, to share who they are and what they can do.",
  "proeth:causalSequence": [
    {
      "proeth:description": "Engineer A attends an autism support conference",
      "proeth:element": "Conference Attendance",
      "proeth:step": 1
    },
    {
      "proeth:description": "A speaker presents on self-advocacy, encouraging autistic individuals to share who they are and what they can do",
      "proeth:element": "Self-Advocacy Presentation",
      "proeth:step": 2
    },
    {
      "proeth:description": "After considerable thought, Engineer A weighs disclosure against the NSPE Code language on avoiding deceptive acts",
      "proeth:element": "Disclosure Deliberation",
      "proeth:step": 3
    }
  ],
  "proeth:cause": "Conference Attendance",
  "proeth:counterfactual": "Had Engineer A not attended the conference, he would not have encountered the self-advocacy message and the deliberation over disclosure would likely not have begun at this time",
  "proeth:discoveredInSection": "facts",
  "proeth:effect": "Disclosure Deliberation",
  "proeth:interveningFactors": [
    "Speaker\u0027s choice of self-advocacy as a presentation topic"
  ],
  "proeth:necessaryFactors": [
    "Engineer A\u0027s decision to attend the autism support conference",
    "Exposure to the self-advocacy message at the conference",
    "Engineer A\u0027s long-standing concealment of his condition creating a live question to deliberate"
  ],
  "proeth:responsibilityType": "direct",
  "proeth:responsibleAgent": "Engineer A",
  "proeth:sufficientFactors": [
    "Attendance at the conference combined with the self-advocacy presentation and Engineer A\u0027s history of non-disclosure was sufficient to trigger his deliberation over disclosure"
  ],
  "proeth:withinAgentControl": true
}

Causal Language: One of the speakers presented on self-advocacy, which encourages autistic individuals, when able, to share who they are and what they can do. The speaker noted that a person with autism needs to be treated with respect and not as someone with “special needs.”

Necessary Factors (NESS):
  • The speaker's message encouraging autistic individuals to share who they are
  • Engineer A's presence in the audience
  • Engineer A's prior concealment making the message personally relevant
Sufficient Factors:
  • The self-advocacy message delivered to a listener who had concealed his autism for 25 years was sufficient to prompt considerable thought about disclosure
Counterfactual Test: Without the self-advocacy presentation, Engineer A would have had no immediate stimulus to reconsider his long-standing non-disclosure and consult the NSPE Code language
Responsibility Attribution:

Agent: Conference speaker (proximate stimulus); Engineer A (for engaging with the message)
Type: shared
Within Agent Control: No

Causal Sequence:
  1. Self-Advocacy Presentation
    Speaker encourages autistic individuals, when able, to share who they are and what they can do
  2. Personal Reflection
    Engineer A gives the message considerable thought in light of his own 25-year concealment
  3. Disclosure Deliberation
    Engineer A considers the NSPE Code language requiring engineers to 'avoid deceptive acts' and weighs whether to be open about his autism
Field classification (triples vs literals)
Relations (structural triples)
  • cause: Self-Advocacy Presentation
  • effect: Disclosure Deliberation
  • responsibleAgent: Conference speaker (proximate stimulus); Engineer A (for engaging with the message)
Literal extractions (kept for synthesis)
  • causalLanguage content: One of the speakers presented on self-advocacy, which encourages autistic individuals, when able, to share who they are and what they can do. The speaker noted that a person with autism needs to be treated with respect and not as someone with “special needs.”
  • necessaryFactors content: The speaker's message encouraging autistic individuals to share who they are; Engineer A's presence in the audience; Engineer A's prior concealment making the message personally relevant
  • sufficientFactors content: The self-advocacy message delivered to a listener who had concealed his autism for 25 years was sufficient to prompt considerable thought about disclosure
  • counterfactual content: Without the self-advocacy presentation, Engineer A would have had no immediate stimulus to reconsider his long-standing non-disclosure and consult the NSPE Code language
  • agentKnowledge content: Engineer A learned of the self-advocacy perspective and that persons with autism should be treated with respect, not as having 'special needs'
  • interveningFactors content: Engineer A's own reflection connecting the message to the NSPE Code of Ethics
  • causalSequence content: {'proeth:step': 1, 'proeth:element': 'Self-Advocacy Presentation', 'proeth:description': 'Speaker encourages autistic individuals, when able, to share who they are and what they can do'}; {'proeth:step': 2, 'proeth:element': 'Personal Reflection', 'proeth:description': 'Engineer A gives the message considerable thought in light of his own 25-year concealment'}; {'proeth:step': 3, 'proeth:element': 'Disclosure Deliberation', 'proeth:description': "Engineer A considers the NSPE Code language requiring engineers to 'avoid deceptive acts' and weighs whether to be open about his autism"}
  • responsibilityType assessment: shared
  • withinAgentControl assessment: False
RDF JSON-LD 
{
  "@context": {
    "proeth": "http://proethica.org/ontology/intermediate#",
    "proeth-case": "http://proethica.org/ontology/case/146#",
    "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/146#CausalChain_2",
  "@type": "proeth:CausalChain",
  "generatedAtTime": "2026-07-14T13:48:26.574636+00:00",
  "proeth:agentKnowledge": "Engineer A learned of the self-advocacy perspective and that persons with autism should be treated with respect, not as having \u0027special needs\u0027",
  "proeth:causalLanguage": "One of the speakers presented on self-advocacy, which encourages autistic individuals, when able, to share who they are and what they can do. The speaker noted that a person with autism needs to be treated with respect and not as someone with \u201cspecial needs.\u201d",
  "proeth:causalSequence": [
    {
      "proeth:description": "Speaker encourages autistic individuals, when able, to share who they are and what they can do",
      "proeth:element": "Self-Advocacy Presentation",
      "proeth:step": 1
    },
    {
      "proeth:description": "Engineer A gives the message considerable thought in light of his own 25-year concealment",
      "proeth:element": "Personal Reflection",
      "proeth:step": 2
    },
    {
      "proeth:description": "Engineer A considers the NSPE Code language requiring engineers to \u0027avoid deceptive acts\u0027 and weighs whether to be open about his autism",
      "proeth:element": "Disclosure Deliberation",
      "proeth:step": 3
    }
  ],
  "proeth:cause": "Self-Advocacy Presentation",
  "proeth:counterfactual": "Without the self-advocacy presentation, Engineer A would have had no immediate stimulus to reconsider his long-standing non-disclosure and consult the NSPE Code language",
  "proeth:discoveredInSection": "facts",
  "proeth:effect": "Disclosure Deliberation",
  "proeth:interveningFactors": [
    "Engineer A\u0027s own reflection connecting the message to the NSPE Code of Ethics"
  ],
  "proeth:necessaryFactors": [
    "The speaker\u0027s message encouraging autistic individuals to share who they are",
    "Engineer A\u0027s presence in the audience",
    "Engineer A\u0027s prior concealment making the message personally relevant"
  ],
  "proeth:responsibilityType": "shared",
  "proeth:responsibleAgent": "Conference speaker (proximate stimulus); Engineer A (for engaging with the message)",
  "proeth:sufficientFactors": [
    "The self-advocacy message delivered to a listener who had concealed his autism for 25 years was sufficient to prompt considerable thought about disclosure"
  ],
  "proeth:withinAgentControl": false
}

Causal Language: Engineer A would like to be open about his autism, but because Engineer A obtained his employment without disclosing his autism, Engineer A is concerned that doing so might place his career in jeopardy.

Necessary Factors (NESS):
  • Having obtained employment without disclosing the condition
  • A present desire to disclose the condition
  • Perceived potential for employer or client bias against persons with autism
Sufficient Factors:
  • The combination of prior non-disclosure at hiring, the new desire to disclose, and perceived bias was sufficient for the career-jeopardy concern to emerge
Counterfactual Test: Had Engineer A disclosed his autism at hiring, later openness would create no inconsistency, and the specific concern that disclosure 'might place his career in jeopardy' would not have arisen in this form
Responsibility Attribution:

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

Causal Sequence:
  1. Condition Non-Disclosure
    Engineer A keeps his autism from all employers across a 25-year career
  2. Employment Acquisition Without Disclosure
    Engineer A obtains his current position five years ago without disclosing his autism
  3. Disclosure Deliberation
    Prompted by the conference, Engineer A considers whether to now be open about his autism
  4. Career Concern Emergence
    Engineer A perceives that disclosure might place his career in jeopardy or limit career options due to employer biases
Field classification (triples vs literals)
Relations (structural triples)
  • cause: Employment Acquisition Without Disclosure
  • effect: Career Concern Emergence
  • responsibleAgent: Engineer A
Literal extractions (kept for synthesis)
  • causalLanguage content: Engineer A would like to be open about his autism, but because Engineer A obtained his employment without disclosing his autism, Engineer A is concerned that doing so might place his career in jeopardy.
  • necessaryFactors content: Having obtained employment without disclosing the condition; A present desire to disclose the condition; Perceived potential for employer or client bias against persons with autism
  • sufficientFactors content: The combination of prior non-disclosure at hiring, the new desire to disclose, and perceived bias was sufficient for the career-jeopardy concern to emerge
  • counterfactual content: Had Engineer A disclosed his autism at hiring, later openness would create no inconsistency, and the specific concern that disclosure 'might place his career in jeopardy' would not have arisen in this form
  • agentKnowledge content: Engineer A knew at hiring that he was withholding information about his condition, though the condition had 'little if any apparent impact on the individual's ability to successfully practice engineering'
  • interveningFactors content: Potential biases of employers and clients; ADA protections notwithstanding, perceived stigma remained
  • causalSequence content: {'proeth:step': 1, 'proeth:element': 'Condition Non-Disclosure', 'proeth:description': 'Engineer A keeps his autism from all employers across a 25-year career'}; {'proeth:step': 2, 'proeth:element': 'Employment Acquisition Without Disclosure', 'proeth:description': 'Engineer A obtains his current position five years ago without disclosing his autism'}; {'proeth:step': 3, 'proeth:element': 'Disclosure Deliberation', 'proeth:description': 'Prompted by the conference, Engineer A considers whether to now be open about his autism'}; {'proeth:step': 4, 'proeth:element': 'Career Concern Emergence', 'proeth:description': 'Engineer A perceives that disclosure might place his career in jeopardy or limit career options due to employer biases'}
  • responsibilityType assessment: direct
  • withinAgentControl assessment: True
RDF JSON-LD 
{
  "@context": {
    "proeth": "http://proethica.org/ontology/intermediate#",
    "proeth-case": "http://proethica.org/ontology/case/146#",
    "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/146#CausalChain_3",
  "@type": "proeth:CausalChain",
  "generatedAtTime": "2026-07-14T13:48:26.574658+00:00",
  "proeth:agentKnowledge": "Engineer A knew at hiring that he was withholding information about his condition, though the condition had \u0027little if any apparent impact on the individual\u0027s ability to successfully practice engineering\u0027",
  "proeth:causalLanguage": "Engineer A would like to be open about his autism, but because Engineer A obtained his employment without disclosing his autism, Engineer A is concerned that doing so might place his career in jeopardy.",
  "proeth:causalSequence": [
    {
      "proeth:description": "Engineer A keeps his autism from all employers across a 25-year career",
      "proeth:element": "Condition Non-Disclosure",
      "proeth:step": 1
    },
    {
      "proeth:description": "Engineer A obtains his current position five years ago without disclosing his autism",
      "proeth:element": "Employment Acquisition Without Disclosure",
      "proeth:step": 2
    },
    {
      "proeth:description": "Prompted by the conference, Engineer A considers whether to now be open about his autism",
      "proeth:element": "Disclosure Deliberation",
      "proeth:step": 3
    },
    {
      "proeth:description": "Engineer A perceives that disclosure might place his career in jeopardy or limit career options due to employer biases",
      "proeth:element": "Career Concern Emergence",
      "proeth:step": 4
    }
  ],
  "proeth:cause": "Employment Acquisition Without Disclosure",
  "proeth:counterfactual": "Had Engineer A disclosed his autism at hiring, later openness would create no inconsistency, and the specific concern that disclosure \u0027might place his career in jeopardy\u0027 would not have arisen in this form",
  "proeth:discoveredInSection": "facts",
  "proeth:effect": "Career Concern Emergence",
  "proeth:interveningFactors": [
    "Potential biases of employers and clients",
    "ADA protections notwithstanding, perceived stigma remained"
  ],
  "proeth:necessaryFactors": [
    "Having obtained employment without disclosing the condition",
    "A present desire to disclose the condition",
    "Perceived potential for employer or client bias against persons with autism"
  ],
  "proeth:responsibilityType": "direct",
  "proeth:responsibleAgent": "Engineer A",
  "proeth:sufficientFactors": [
    "The combination of prior non-disclosure at hiring, the new desire to disclose, and perceived bias was sufficient for the career-jeopardy concern to emerge"
  ],
  "proeth:withinAgentControl": true
}

Causal Language: After considerable thought, Engineer A considered the language in the NSPE Code of Ethics, which requires engineers to “avoid deceptive acts.” Engineer A would like to be open about his autism, but because Engineer A obtained his employment without disclosing his autism, Engineer A is concerned that doing so might place his career in jeopardy.

Necessary Factors (NESS):
  • Engineer A actively weighing disclosure against non-disclosure
  • Awareness of the NSPE Code language on avoiding deceptive acts
  • Perceived potential bias of employer and future employers
Sufficient Factors:
  • Deliberation about disclosure in the context of prior non-disclosure and perceived bias was sufficient to crystallize the concern about career jeopardy
Counterfactual Test: Without deliberating on disclosure, Engineer A would have continued the status quo of concealment and the specific concern about career jeopardy from disclosure would not have emerged
Responsibility Attribution:

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

Causal Sequence:
  1. Self-Advocacy Presentation
    Conference speaker encourages openness about autism
  2. Disclosure Deliberation
    Engineer A gives considerable thought to disclosure and the Code's 'avoid deceptive acts' language
  3. Career Concern Emergence
    Engineer A comes to perceive that disclosure might jeopardize his career or limit options due to bias
Field classification (triples vs literals)
Relations (structural triples)
  • cause: Disclosure Deliberation
  • effect: Career Concern Emergence
  • responsibleAgent: Engineer A
Literal extractions (kept for synthesis)
  • causalLanguage content: After considerable thought, Engineer A considered the language in the NSPE Code of Ethics, which requires engineers to “avoid deceptive acts.” Engineer A would like to be open about his autism, but because Engineer A obtained his employment without disclosing his autism, Engineer A is concerned that doing so might place his career in jeopardy.
  • necessaryFactors content: Engineer A actively weighing disclosure against non-disclosure; Awareness of the NSPE Code language on avoiding deceptive acts; Perceived potential bias of employer and future employers
  • sufficientFactors content: Deliberation about disclosure in the context of prior non-disclosure and perceived bias was sufficient to crystallize the concern about career jeopardy
  • counterfactual content: Without deliberating on disclosure, Engineer A would have continued the status quo of concealment and the specific concern about career jeopardy from disclosure would not have emerged
  • agentKnowledge content: Engineer A knew his condition had not impaired his 25-year successful practice, knew the Code required avoiding deceptive acts, and perceived potential employer/client bias
  • interveningFactors content: Perceived biases of employers and clients about autism; Career-market realities for future employment
  • causalSequence content: {'proeth:step': 1, 'proeth:element': 'Self-Advocacy Presentation', 'proeth:description': 'Conference speaker encourages openness about autism'}; {'proeth:step': 2, 'proeth:element': 'Disclosure Deliberation', 'proeth:description': "Engineer A gives considerable thought to disclosure and the Code's 'avoid deceptive acts' language"}; {'proeth:step': 3, 'proeth:element': 'Career Concern Emergence', 'proeth:description': 'Engineer A comes to perceive that disclosure might jeopardize his career or limit options due to bias'}
  • responsibilityType assessment: direct
  • withinAgentControl assessment: True
RDF JSON-LD 
{
  "@context": {
    "proeth": "http://proethica.org/ontology/intermediate#",
    "proeth-case": "http://proethica.org/ontology/case/146#",
    "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/146#CausalChain_4",
  "@type": "proeth:CausalChain",
  "generatedAtTime": "2026-07-14T13:48:26.574678+00:00",
  "proeth:agentKnowledge": "Engineer A knew his condition had not impaired his 25-year successful practice, knew the Code required avoiding deceptive acts, and perceived potential employer/client bias",
  "proeth:causalLanguage": "After considerable thought, Engineer A considered the language in the NSPE Code of Ethics, which requires engineers to \u201cavoid deceptive acts.\u201d Engineer A would like to be open about his autism, but because Engineer A obtained his employment without disclosing his autism, Engineer A is concerned that doing so might place his career in jeopardy.",
  "proeth:causalSequence": [
    {
      "proeth:description": "Conference speaker encourages openness about autism",
      "proeth:element": "Self-Advocacy Presentation",
      "proeth:step": 1
    },
    {
      "proeth:description": "Engineer A gives considerable thought to disclosure and the Code\u0027s \u0027avoid deceptive acts\u0027 language",
      "proeth:element": "Disclosure Deliberation",
      "proeth:step": 2
    },
    {
      "proeth:description": "Engineer A comes to perceive that disclosure might jeopardize his career or limit options due to bias",
      "proeth:element": "Career Concern Emergence",
      "proeth:step": 3
    }
  ],
  "proeth:cause": "Disclosure Deliberation",
  "proeth:counterfactual": "Without deliberating on disclosure, Engineer A would have continued the status quo of concealment and the specific concern about career jeopardy from disclosure would not have emerged",
  "proeth:discoveredInSection": "facts",
  "proeth:effect": "Career Concern Emergence",
  "proeth:interveningFactors": [
    "Perceived biases of employers and clients about autism",
    "Career-market realities for future employment"
  ],
  "proeth:necessaryFactors": [
    "Engineer A actively weighing disclosure against non-disclosure",
    "Awareness of the NSPE Code language on avoiding deceptive acts",
    "Perceived potential bias of employer and future employers"
  ],
  "proeth:responsibilityType": "direct",
  "proeth:responsibleAgent": "Engineer A",
  "proeth:sufficientFactors": [
    "Deliberation about disclosure in the context of prior non-disclosure and perceived bias was sufficient to crystallize the concern about career jeopardy"
  ],
  "proeth:withinAgentControl": true
}

Causal Language: In contrast, the facts of the present case demonstrate no effort to conceal any conduct relating to the practice of engineering or related fields. Instead, the facts relate to a personal condition with little if any apparent impact on the individual’s ability to successfully practice engineering.

Necessary Factors (NESS):
  • The concealed matter being a personal condition rather than professional conduct
  • Engineer A's demonstrated competent and successful 25-year practice
  • Existence of earlier BER cases involving concealment of conduct as a comparison baseline
Sufficient Factors:
  • The personal (non-conduct) nature of the non-disclosure combined with Engineer A's competent practice was sufficient for the Board to distinguish this case from prior deception cases
Counterfactual Test: Had the concealment involved conduct relating to the practice of engineering, the Board could not have distinguished the case and would likely have applied the deception precedents
Responsibility Attribution:

Agent: NSPE Board of Ethical Review
Type: direct
Within Agent Control: Yes

Causal Sequence:
  1. Condition Non-Disclosure
    Engineer A keeps a personal condition, not professional conduct, undisclosed across his career
  2. Competent Professional Practice
    Engineer A practices competently and successfully for 25 years, showing the condition did not affect his engineering ability
  3. Career Concern Emergence
    Engineer A's perceived risk of bias brings the disclosure question before the Board
  4. Case Distinction Determination
    The Board distinguishes the case from earlier deception cases, framing it as a personal privacy matter rather than an ethical violation
Field classification (triples vs literals)
Relations (structural triples)
  • cause: Condition Non-Disclosure
  • effect: Case Distinction Determination
  • responsibleAgent: NSPE Board of Ethical Review
Literal extractions (kept for synthesis)
  • causalLanguage content: In contrast, the facts of the present case demonstrate no effort to conceal any conduct relating to the practice of engineering or related fields. Instead, the facts relate to a personal condition with little if any apparent impact on the individual’s ability to successfully practice engineering.
  • necessaryFactors content: The concealed matter being a personal condition rather than professional conduct; Engineer A's demonstrated competent and successful 25-year practice; Existence of earlier BER cases involving concealment of conduct as a comparison baseline
  • sufficientFactors content: The personal (non-conduct) nature of the non-disclosure combined with Engineer A's competent practice was sufficient for the Board to distinguish this case from prior deception cases
  • counterfactual content: Had the concealment involved conduct relating to the practice of engineering, the Board could not have distinguished the case and would likely have applied the deception precedents
  • agentKnowledge content: The Board knew the facts showed 'no effort to conceal any conduct relating to the practice of engineering' and that Engineer A 'functioned as a professional engineer and had a successful professional career'
  • interveningFactors content: Prior BER precedents on deception; ADA protections for Engineer A's condition; New Code Section III.1.f on dignity and non-discrimination
  • causalSequence content: {'proeth:step': 1, 'proeth:element': 'Condition Non-Disclosure', 'proeth:description': 'Engineer A keeps a personal condition, not professional conduct, undisclosed across his career'}; {'proeth:step': 2, 'proeth:element': 'Competent Professional Practice', 'proeth:description': 'Engineer A practices competently and successfully for 25 years, showing the condition did not affect his engineering ability'}; {'proeth:step': 3, 'proeth:element': 'Career Concern Emergence', 'proeth:description': "Engineer A's perceived risk of bias brings the disclosure question before the Board"}; {'proeth:step': 4, 'proeth:element': 'Case Distinction Determination', 'proeth:description': 'The Board distinguishes the case from earlier deception cases, framing it as a personal privacy matter rather than an ethical violation'}
  • responsibilityType assessment: direct
  • withinAgentControl assessment: True
RDF JSON-LD 
{
  "@context": {
    "proeth": "http://proethica.org/ontology/intermediate#",
    "proeth-case": "http://proethica.org/ontology/case/146#",
    "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/146#CausalChain_5",
  "@type": "proeth:CausalChain",
  "generatedAtTime": "2026-07-14T13:48:26.574700+00:00",
  "proeth:agentKnowledge": "The Board knew the facts showed \u0027no effort to conceal any conduct relating to the practice of engineering\u0027 and that Engineer A \u0027functioned as a professional engineer and had a successful professional career\u0027",
  "proeth:causalLanguage": "In contrast, the facts of the present case demonstrate no effort to conceal any conduct relating to the practice of engineering or related fields. Instead, the facts relate to a personal condition with little if any apparent impact on the individual\u2019s ability to successfully practice engineering.",
  "proeth:causalSequence": [
    {
      "proeth:description": "Engineer A keeps a personal condition, not professional conduct, undisclosed across his career",
      "proeth:element": "Condition Non-Disclosure",
      "proeth:step": 1
    },
    {
      "proeth:description": "Engineer A practices competently and successfully for 25 years, showing the condition did not affect his engineering ability",
      "proeth:element": "Competent Professional Practice",
      "proeth:step": 2
    },
    {
      "proeth:description": "Engineer A\u0027s perceived risk of bias brings the disclosure question before the Board",
      "proeth:element": "Career Concern Emergence",
      "proeth:step": 3
    },
    {
      "proeth:description": "The Board distinguishes the case from earlier deception cases, framing it as a personal privacy matter rather than an ethical violation",
      "proeth:element": "Case Distinction Determination",
      "proeth:step": 4
    }
  ],
  "proeth:cause": "Condition Non-Disclosure",
  "proeth:counterfactual": "Had the concealment involved conduct relating to the practice of engineering, the Board could not have distinguished the case and would likely have applied the deception precedents",
  "proeth:discoveredInSection": "discussion",
  "proeth:effect": "Case Distinction Determination",
  "proeth:interveningFactors": [
    "Prior BER precedents on deception",
    "ADA protections for Engineer A\u0027s condition",
    "New Code Section III.1.f on dignity and non-discrimination"
  ],
  "proeth:necessaryFactors": [
    "The concealed matter being a personal condition rather than professional conduct",
    "Engineer A\u0027s demonstrated competent and successful 25-year practice",
    "Existence of earlier BER cases involving concealment of conduct as a comparison baseline"
  ],
  "proeth:responsibilityType": "direct",
  "proeth:responsibleAgent": "NSPE Board of Ethical Review",
  "proeth:sufficientFactors": [
    "The personal (non-conduct) nature of the non-disclosure combined with Engineer A\u0027s competent practice was sufficient for the Board to distinguish this case from prior deception cases"
  ],
  "proeth:withinAgentControl": true
}
Allen Temporal Relations (10)
Interval algebra relationships with OWL-Time standard properties
From Entity Allen Relation To Entity OWL-Time Property Evidence
employment with current employer (5 years) finishes
Entity1 and Entity2 end at the same time, Entity2 starts first 		25-year engineering career time:intervalFinishes
http://www.w3.org/2006/time#intervalFinishes 		has practiced professional engineering successfully for 25 years for multiple employers... his curre... [more]
employment with previous employers before
Entity1 is before Entity2 		employment with current employer time:intervalBefore
http://www.w3.org/2006/time#intervalBefore 		Engineer A has kept this fact not only from his current employer (which he has worked for 5 years) b... [more]
non-disclosure of Asperger's Syndrome diagnosis during
Entity1 occurs entirely within the duration of Entity2 		25-year engineering career time:intervalDuring
http://www.w3.org/2006/time#intervalDuring 		Engineer A has kept this fact not only from his current employer... but also previous employers.
autism support conference attendance before
Entity1 is before Entity2 		Engineer A's consideration of NSPE Code 'avoid deceptive acts' language time:intervalBefore
http://www.w3.org/2006/time#intervalBefore 		Engineer A recently attended an autism support conference... After considerable thought, Engineer A ... [more]
speaker's self-advocacy presentation during
Entity1 occurs entirely within the duration of Entity2 		autism support conference time:intervalDuring
http://www.w3.org/2006/time#intervalDuring 		One of the speakers presented on self-advocacy, which encourages autistic individuals, when able, to... [more]
obtaining employment without disclosing autism before
Entity1 is before Entity2 		consideration of disclosing autism time:intervalBefore
http://www.w3.org/2006/time#intervalBefore 		because Engineer A obtained his employment without disclosing his autism, Engineer A is concerned th... [more]
consideration of NSPE Code language before
Entity1 is before Entity2 		decision whether to disclose autism (pending at time of case) time:intervalBefore
http://www.w3.org/2006/time#intervalBefore 		After considerable thought, Engineer A considered the language in the NSPE Code of Ethics... Enginee... [more]
earlier BER cases examining the deception issue before
Entity1 is before Entity2 		the present case time:intervalBefore
http://www.w3.org/2006/time#intervalBefore 		the Board finds a clear distinction between the earlier BER cases examining the deception issue and ... [more]
events of the case (non-disclosure, conference, reflection) before
Entity1 is before Entity2 		Board's Discussion and analysis time:intervalBefore
http://www.w3.org/2006/time#intervalBefore 		Turning to the facts in the present case, the Board finds a clear distinction between the earlier BE... [more]
potential disclosure of autism before
Entity1 is before Entity2 		potential career jeopardy or limited career options time:intervalBefore
http://www.w3.org/2006/time#intervalBefore 		Engineer A is concerned that doing so might place his career in jeopardy. At the least, disclosure c... [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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