PASS 3: Temporal Dynamics
Case 20: Review of Other Engineer’s Work
Extraction Complete
Timeline Overview
Temporal Markers
- Final year of Engineer B's contract 1 elements
- During questioning by City Administrator 1 elements
- During response to City Administrator 1 elements
- Final year of contract 1 elements
- During City Administrator's questioning 1 elements
- Following Engineer C's critical response 1 elements
Temporal Consistency Check
ValidExtracted Actions (3)
Volitional professional decisions with intentions and ethical contextDescription: City Administrator contacted Engineer C to question specific issues that Engineer B had worked on during the final year of Engineer B's active contract.
Temporal Marker: Final year of Engineer B's contract
Mental State: deliberate
Intended Outcome: Obtain technical evaluation of current engineer's work
Fulfills Obligations:
- Due diligence for public interest
Guided By Principles:
- Transparency
- Fair competition
Required Capabilities:
Scenario Metadata
Pedagogical context for interactive teaching scenariosCharacter Motivation: Seeking information to evaluate current contractor performance and inform future contract decisions
Ethical Tension: Due diligence in contractor evaluation vs. undermining active contractual relationships
Learning Significance: Teaching moment about proper procurement processes and fair treatment of active contractors
Stakes: Fair competition, contractor trust, procurement integrity, potential legal liability
Decision Point: Yes - Story can branch here
- Wait until contract ends to seek outside opinions
- Include Engineer B in technical discussions
- Use formal performance evaluation processes
Narrative Role: inciting_incident
RDF JSON-LD
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"@type": "proeth:Action",
"proeth-scenario:alternativeActions": [
"Wait until contract ends to seek outside opinions",
"Include Engineer B in technical discussions",
"Use formal performance evaluation processes"
],
"proeth-scenario:characterMotivation": "Seeking information to evaluate current contractor performance and inform future contract decisions",
"proeth-scenario:consequencesIfAlternative": [
"More ethical but less information for decision-making",
"Transparent process but potential confrontation",
"Slower process but proper documentation and fairness"
],
"proeth-scenario:decisionSignificance": "Teaching moment about proper procurement processes and fair treatment of active contractors",
"proeth-scenario:ethicalTension": "Due diligence in contractor evaluation vs. undermining active contractual relationships",
"proeth-scenario:isDecisionPoint": true,
"proeth-scenario:narrativeRole": "inciting_incident",
"proeth-scenario:stakes": "Fair competition, contractor trust, procurement integrity, potential legal liability",
"proeth:description": "City Administrator contacted Engineer C to question specific issues that Engineer B had worked on during the final year of Engineer B\u0027s active contract.",
"proeth:foreseenUnintendedEffects": [
"Creating competitive advantage for Engineer C"
],
"proeth:fulfillsObligation": [
"Due diligence for public interest"
],
"proeth:guidedByPrinciple": [
"Transparency",
"Fair competition"
],
"proeth:hasAgent": "City Administrator",
"proeth:hasCompetingPriorities": {
"@type": "proeth:CompetingPriorities",
"proeth:priorityConflict": "Technical evaluation vs Fair competition",
"proeth:resolutionReasoning": "Prioritized obtaining technical input over fair competitive process"
},
"proeth:hasMentalState": "deliberate",
"proeth:intendedOutcome": "Obtain technical evaluation of current engineer\u0027s work",
"proeth:requiresCapability": [
"Administrative authority",
"Contract management"
],
"proeth:temporalMarker": "Final year of Engineer B\u0027s contract",
"proeth:violatesObligation": [
"Fair dealing with current contractor"
],
"proeth:withinCompetence": true,
"rdfs:label": "Contacting Competing Engineer"
}
Description: Engineer C responded to the City Administrator's questions by criticizing Engineer B's decisions, despite realizing this would provide competitive advantage for the upcoming contract.
Temporal Marker: During questioning by City Administrator
Mental State: deliberate
Intended Outcome: Gain competitive advantage for next contract
Fulfills Obligations:
- Responding to client inquiry
Guided By Principles:
- Professional solidarity
- Fair competition
- Integrity
Required Capabilities:
Scenario Metadata
Pedagogical context for interactive teaching scenariosCharacter Motivation: Saw opportunity to gain competitive advantage for upcoming contract by undermining current contractor
Ethical Tension: Business opportunity vs. professional integrity and collegiality
Learning Significance: Core teaching moment about professional ethics - how competitive pressures can compromise integrity
Stakes: Professional reputation, industry relationships, fairness in competition, potential damage to Engineer B's career and business
Decision Point: Yes - Story can branch here
- Decline to comment on competitor's work
- Provide only factual technical information without criticism
- Suggest the administrator speak directly with Engineer B
Narrative Role: climax
RDF JSON-LD
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"@id": "http://proethica.org/cases/20#Action_Criticizing_Competitor_s_Work",
"@type": "proeth:Action",
"proeth-scenario:alternativeActions": [
"Decline to comment on competitor\u0027s work",
"Provide only factual technical information without criticism",
"Suggest the administrator speak directly with Engineer B"
],
"proeth-scenario:characterMotivation": "Saw opportunity to gain competitive advantage for upcoming contract by undermining current contractor",
"proeth-scenario:consequencesIfAlternative": [
"Maintains integrity but loses competitive advantage",
"Provides help without undermining competitor",
"Promotes transparency and fairness in evaluation"
],
"proeth-scenario:decisionSignificance": "Core teaching moment about professional ethics - how competitive pressures can compromise integrity",
"proeth-scenario:ethicalTension": "Business opportunity vs. professional integrity and collegiality",
"proeth-scenario:isDecisionPoint": true,
"proeth-scenario:narrativeRole": "climax",
"proeth-scenario:stakes": "Professional reputation, industry relationships, fairness in competition, potential damage to Engineer B\u0027s career and business",
"proeth:description": "Engineer C responded to the City Administrator\u0027s questions by criticizing Engineer B\u0027s decisions, despite realizing this would provide competitive advantage for the upcoming contract.",
"proeth:foreseenUnintendedEffects": [
"Undermining Engineer B\u0027s reputation",
"Unfair competitive advantage"
],
"proeth:fulfillsObligation": [
"Responding to client inquiry"
],
"proeth:guidedByPrinciple": [
"Professional solidarity",
"Fair competition",
"Integrity"
],
"proeth:hasAgent": "Engineer C",
"proeth:hasCompetingPriorities": {
"@type": "proeth:CompetingPriorities",
"proeth:priorityConflict": "Competitive advantage vs Professional ethics",
"proeth:resolutionReasoning": "Prioritized competitive advantage over ethical obligations to fellow engineer"
},
"proeth:hasMentalState": "deliberate",
"proeth:intendedOutcome": "Gain competitive advantage for next contract",
"proeth:requiresCapability": [
"Technical expertise to evaluate work",
"Professional judgment"
],
"proeth:temporalMarker": "During questioning by City Administrator",
"proeth:violatesObligation": [
"Professional courtesy to other engineers",
"Fair dealing with competitors",
"Avoiding improper criticism"
],
"proeth:withinCompetence": true,
"rdfs:label": "Criticizing Competitor\u0027s Work"
}
Description: Engineer C chose to comment on specific technical issues rather than declining to comment or responding only in general terms.
Temporal Marker: During response to City Administrator
Mental State: deliberate
Intended Outcome: Provide detailed critique to maximize competitive positioning
Fulfills Obligations:
- Thorough client service
Guided By Principles:
- Professional restraint
- Collegial respect
- Fair competition
Required Capabilities:
Scenario Metadata
Pedagogical context for interactive teaching scenariosCharacter Motivation: Decided to provide detailed criticism to maximize competitive advantage and demonstrate superior knowledge
Ethical Tension: Demonstrating technical expertise vs. unfair competitive practices and professional courtesy
Learning Significance: Teaching moment about the difference between legitimate competition and unethical business practices
Stakes: Specific project outcomes, detailed undermining of competitor's reputation, precedent for industry behavior
Decision Point: Yes - Story can branch here
- Limit response to general industry standards
- Refuse to comment on specific projects
- Offer to provide input in a transparent forum with all parties present
Narrative Role: rising_action
RDF JSON-LD
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"@id": "http://proethica.org/cases/20#Action_Choosing_Specific_Commentary",
"@type": "proeth:Action",
"proeth-scenario:alternativeActions": [
"Limit response to general industry standards",
"Refuse to comment on specific projects",
"Offer to provide input in a transparent forum with all parties present"
],
"proeth-scenario:characterMotivation": "Decided to provide detailed criticism to maximize competitive advantage and demonstrate superior knowledge",
"proeth-scenario:consequencesIfAlternative": [
"Less competitive advantage but maintains professional standards",
"Preserves integrity and avoids potential conflicts",
"Ensures fair and transparent evaluation process"
],
"proeth-scenario:decisionSignificance": "Teaching moment about the difference between legitimate competition and unethical business practices",
"proeth-scenario:ethicalTension": "Demonstrating technical expertise vs. unfair competitive practices and professional courtesy",
"proeth-scenario:isDecisionPoint": true,
"proeth-scenario:narrativeRole": "rising_action",
"proeth-scenario:stakes": "Specific project outcomes, detailed undermining of competitor\u0027s reputation, precedent for industry behavior",
"proeth:description": "Engineer C chose to comment on specific technical issues rather than declining to comment or responding only in general terms.",
"proeth:foreseenUnintendedEffects": [
"Enhanced unfair advantage",
"Greater harm to Engineer B"
],
"proeth:fulfillsObligation": [
"Thorough client service"
],
"proeth:guidedByPrinciple": [
"Professional restraint",
"Collegial respect",
"Fair competition"
],
"proeth:hasAgent": "Engineer C",
"proeth:hasCompetingPriorities": {
"@type": "proeth:CompetingPriorities",
"proeth:priorityConflict": "Maximizing competitive advantage vs Professional restraint",
"proeth:resolutionReasoning": "Chose detailed critique to maximize competitive benefit despite ethical concerns"
},
"proeth:hasMentalState": "deliberate",
"proeth:intendedOutcome": "Provide detailed critique to maximize competitive positioning",
"proeth:requiresCapability": [
"Technical analysis",
"Professional communication",
"Ethical judgment"
],
"proeth:temporalMarker": "During response to City Administrator",
"proeth:violatesObligation": [
"Professional discretion",
"Avoiding detailed criticism without colleague\u0027s knowledge"
],
"proeth:withinCompetence": true,
"rdfs:label": "Choosing Specific Commentary"
}
Extracted Events (3)
Occurrences that trigger ethical considerations and state changesDescription: Engineer B's 3-year contract with City A enters its final year, creating natural transition period where contract renewal becomes a consideration.
Temporal Marker: Final year of contract
Activates Constraints:
- Ongoing_Professional_Duties
- Contractual_Obligations
Scenario Metadata
Pedagogical context for interactive teaching scenariosEmotional Impact: Anticipation and uncertainty for Engineer B about future; strategic interest from competitors; administrative planning pressure for City A
- engineer_b: Job security uncertainty, need to maintain performance standards
- city_a: Must evaluate contractor performance and consider alternatives
- engineer_c: Opportunity to compete for lucrative contract
- public: Continuity of engineering services potentially affected
Learning Moment: Contract transitions create competitive environments that can compromise professional ethics
Ethical Implications: Sets stage for potential conflicts between competitive advantage and professional courtesy
- How should professionals maintain ethical standards during competitive transitions?
- What safeguards should exist during contract renewal periods?
RDF JSON-LD
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},
"@id": "http://proethica.org/cases/20#Event_Contract_Nearing_Expiration",
"@type": "proeth:Event",
"proeth-scenario:crisisIdentification": false,
"proeth-scenario:discussionPrompts": [
"How should professionals maintain ethical standards during competitive transitions?",
"What safeguards should exist during contract renewal periods?"
],
"proeth-scenario:dramaticTension": "low",
"proeth-scenario:emotionalImpact": "Anticipation and uncertainty for Engineer B about future; strategic interest from competitors; administrative planning pressure for City A",
"proeth-scenario:ethicalImplications": "Sets stage for potential conflicts between competitive advantage and professional courtesy",
"proeth-scenario:learningMoment": "Contract transitions create competitive environments that can compromise professional ethics",
"proeth-scenario:narrativePacing": "slow_burn",
"proeth-scenario:stakeholderConsequences": {
"city_a": "Must evaluate contractor performance and consider alternatives",
"engineer_b": "Job security uncertainty, need to maintain performance standards",
"engineer_c": "Opportunity to compete for lucrative contract",
"public": "Continuity of engineering services potentially affected"
},
"proeth:activatesConstraint": [
"Ongoing_Professional_Duties",
"Contractual_Obligations"
],
"proeth:causesStateChange": "Contract enters renewal consideration phase; competitive environment activated",
"proeth:createsObligation": [
"Continued_Professional_Service",
"Maintain_Contract_Terms"
],
"proeth:description": "Engineer B\u0027s 3-year contract with City A enters its final year, creating natural transition period where contract renewal becomes a consideration.",
"proeth:emergencyStatus": "routine",
"proeth:eventType": "automatic_trigger",
"proeth:temporalMarker": "Final year of contract",
"proeth:urgencyLevel": "low",
"rdfs:label": "Contract Nearing Expiration"
}
Description: Engineer C gains access to detailed information about competitor's work decisions while the competitor remains unaware, creating asymmetric information advantage.
Temporal Marker: During City Administrator's questioning
Activates Constraints:
- Professional_Courtesy
- Fair_Competition
- Confidentiality_Respect
Scenario Metadata
Pedagogical context for interactive teaching scenariosEmotional Impact: Temptation and moral conflict for Engineer C; vulnerability for unknowing Engineer B; potential manipulation felt by City Administrator
- engineer_c: Faces ethical dilemma between competitive advantage and professional integrity
- engineer_b: Unknowingly disadvantaged in competitive situation
- city_a: May receive biased information affecting decision-making
- engineering_profession: Professional standards and trust potentially compromised
Learning Moment: Information advantages in professional competition create ethical obligations about fair use
Ethical Implications: Reveals tension between competitive success and professional fairness; demonstrates how information asymmetry can compromise ethical competition
- When does competitive intelligence become unethical in professional practice?
- What obligations exist when gaining privileged information about competitors?
- How should professionals balance competitive success with ethical standards?
RDF JSON-LD
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},
"@id": "http://proethica.org/cases/20#Event_Competitive_Intelligence_Opportunity",
"@type": "proeth:Event",
"proeth-scenario:crisisIdentification": false,
"proeth-scenario:discussionPrompts": [
"When does competitive intelligence become unethical in professional practice?",
"What obligations exist when gaining privileged information about competitors?",
"How should professionals balance competitive success with ethical standards?"
],
"proeth-scenario:dramaticTension": "medium",
"proeth-scenario:emotionalImpact": "Temptation and moral conflict for Engineer C; vulnerability for unknowing Engineer B; potential manipulation felt by City Administrator",
"proeth-scenario:ethicalImplications": "Reveals tension between competitive success and professional fairness; demonstrates how information asymmetry can compromise ethical competition",
"proeth-scenario:learningMoment": "Information advantages in professional competition create ethical obligations about fair use",
"proeth-scenario:narrativePacing": "escalation",
"proeth-scenario:stakeholderConsequences": {
"city_a": "May receive biased information affecting decision-making",
"engineer_b": "Unknowingly disadvantaged in competitive situation",
"engineer_c": "Faces ethical dilemma between competitive advantage and professional integrity",
"engineering_profession": "Professional standards and trust potentially compromised"
},
"proeth:activatesConstraint": [
"Professional_Courtesy",
"Fair_Competition",
"Confidentiality_Respect"
],
"proeth:causedByAction": "http://proethica.org/cases/20#Action_Contacting_Competing_Engineer",
"proeth:causesStateChange": "Information asymmetry created; competitive advantage opportunity established; ethical decision point activated",
"proeth:createsObligation": [
"Fair_Use_of_Information",
"Professional_Discretion",
"Ethical_Response_Required"
],
"proeth:description": "Engineer C gains access to detailed information about competitor\u0027s work decisions while the competitor remains unaware, creating asymmetric information advantage.",
"proeth:emergencyStatus": "medium",
"proeth:eventType": "outcome",
"proeth:temporalMarker": "During City Administrator\u0027s questioning",
"proeth:urgencyLevel": "medium",
"rdfs:label": "Competitive Intelligence Opportunity"
}
Description: Engineer B's professional reputation becomes vulnerable to criticism while unable to respond or defend decisions, creating unfair competitive disadvantage.
Temporal Marker: Following Engineer C's critical response
Activates Constraints:
- Professional_Fairness
- Due_Process
- Reputation_Protection
Scenario Metadata
Pedagogical context for interactive teaching scenariosEmotional Impact: Betrayal and professional violation for Engineer B (when discovered); guilt or justification for Engineer C; decision-making burden for City Administrator
- engineer_b: Professional reputation damaged, contract renewal jeopardized, trust in professional community shaken
- engineer_c: Short-term competitive advantage gained at cost of professional integrity
- city_a: Receiving potentially biased evaluation affecting critical infrastructure decisions
- professional_community: Standards of fair competition and collegial respect undermined
Learning Moment: Professional criticism without opportunity for response violates fundamental fairness and can damage both individual careers and professional standards
Ethical Implications: Demonstrates how competitive pressures can lead to violations of professional courtesy and fairness; shows the interconnection between individual ethics and professional community standards
- What procedural safeguards should exist when professionals evaluate each other's work?
- How does unfair competition ultimately harm the entire profession?
- What are the long-term consequences of short-term competitive advantages gained unethically?
RDF JSON-LD
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},
"@id": "http://proethica.org/cases/20#Event_Professional_Trust_Breach",
"@type": "proeth:Event",
"proeth-scenario:crisisIdentification": true,
"proeth-scenario:discussionPrompts": [
"What procedural safeguards should exist when professionals evaluate each other\u0027s work?",
"How does unfair competition ultimately harm the entire profession?",
"What are the long-term consequences of short-term competitive advantages gained unethically?"
],
"proeth-scenario:dramaticTension": "high",
"proeth-scenario:emotionalImpact": "Betrayal and professional violation for Engineer B (when discovered); guilt or justification for Engineer C; decision-making burden for City Administrator",
"proeth-scenario:ethicalImplications": "Demonstrates how competitive pressures can lead to violations of professional courtesy and fairness; shows the interconnection between individual ethics and professional community standards",
"proeth-scenario:learningMoment": "Professional criticism without opportunity for response violates fundamental fairness and can damage both individual careers and professional standards",
"proeth-scenario:narrativePacing": "crisis",
"proeth-scenario:stakeholderConsequences": {
"city_a": "Receiving potentially biased evaluation affecting critical infrastructure decisions",
"engineer_b": "Professional reputation damaged, contract renewal jeopardized, trust in professional community shaken",
"engineer_c": "Short-term competitive advantage gained at cost of professional integrity",
"professional_community": "Standards of fair competition and collegial respect undermined"
},
"proeth:activatesConstraint": [
"Professional_Fairness",
"Due_Process",
"Reputation_Protection"
],
"proeth:causedByAction": "http://proethica.org/cases/20#Action_Criticizing_Competitor_s_Work",
"proeth:causesStateChange": "Professional reputation under attack; competitive balance disrupted; unfair advantage established",
"proeth:createsObligation": [
"Notification_of_Criticism",
"Opportunity_to_Respond",
"Fair_Evaluation_Process"
],
"proeth:description": "Engineer B\u0027s professional reputation becomes vulnerable to criticism while unable to respond or defend decisions, creating unfair competitive disadvantage.",
"proeth:emergencyStatus": "high",
"proeth:eventType": "outcome",
"proeth:temporalMarker": "Following Engineer C\u0027s critical response",
"proeth:urgencyLevel": "high",
"rdfs:label": "Professional Trust Breach"
}
Causal Chains (4)
NESS test analysis: Necessary Element of Sufficient SetCausal Language: Engineer B's 3-year contract with City A enters its final year, creating natural transition period which prompted the City Administrator to contact Engineer C
Necessary Factors (NESS):
- Contract expiration creating transition period
- City's need to evaluate alternatives
- Availability of competing engineer
Sufficient Factors:
- Combination of contract expiration + need for continuity planning
Responsibility Attribution:
Agent: City Administrator
Type: direct
Within Agent Control:
Yes
Causal Sequence:
-
Contract Nearing Expiration
Engineer B's 3-year contract enters final year -
Contacting Competing Engineer
City Administrator reaches out to Engineer C for consultation
RDF JSON-LD
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},
"@id": "http://proethica.org/cases/20#CausalChain_bee79cdd",
"@type": "proeth:CausalChain",
"proeth:causalLanguage": "Engineer B\u0027s 3-year contract with City A enters its final year, creating natural transition period which prompted the City Administrator to contact Engineer C",
"proeth:causalSequence": [
{
"proeth:description": "Engineer B\u0027s 3-year contract enters final year",
"proeth:element": "Contract Nearing Expiration",
"proeth:step": 1
},
{
"proeth:description": "City Administrator reaches out to Engineer C for consultation",
"proeth:element": "Contacting Competing Engineer",
"proeth:step": 2
}
],
"proeth:cause": "Contract Nearing Expiration",
"proeth:counterfactual": "Without contract nearing expiration, City Administrator would likely not have initiated contact with competitor",
"proeth:effect": "Contacting Competing Engineer",
"proeth:necessaryFactors": [
"Contract expiration creating transition period",
"City\u0027s need to evaluate alternatives",
"Availability of competing engineer"
],
"proeth:responsibilityType": "direct",
"proeth:responsibleAgent": "City Administrator",
"proeth:sufficientFactors": [
"Combination of contract expiration + need for continuity planning"
],
"proeth:withinAgentControl": true
}
Causal Language: City Administrator contacted Engineer C to question specific issues that Engineer B had worked on, which created the opportunity for Engineer C to gain detailed information about competitor's work
Necessary Factors (NESS):
- Direct contact from City Administrator
- Discussion of specific technical issues
- Engineer B's work being subject of inquiry
Sufficient Factors:
- City Administrator sharing specific details about Engineer B's work with competitor
Responsibility Attribution:
Agent: City Administrator
Type: direct
Within Agent Control:
Yes
Causal Sequence:
-
Contacting Competing Engineer
City Administrator reaches out to Engineer C -
Competitive Intelligence Opportunity
Engineer C gains access to detailed information about Engineer B's work decisions
RDF JSON-LD
{
"@context": {
"proeth": "http://proethica.org/ontology/intermediate#",
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},
"@id": "http://proethica.org/cases/20#CausalChain_e94df2d7",
"@type": "proeth:CausalChain",
"proeth:causalLanguage": "City Administrator contacted Engineer C to question specific issues that Engineer B had worked on, which created the opportunity for Engineer C to gain detailed information about competitor\u0027s work",
"proeth:causalSequence": [
{
"proeth:description": "City Administrator reaches out to Engineer C",
"proeth:element": "Contacting Competing Engineer",
"proeth:step": 1
},
{
"proeth:description": "Engineer C gains access to detailed information about Engineer B\u0027s work decisions",
"proeth:element": "Competitive Intelligence Opportunity",
"proeth:step": 2
}
],
"proeth:cause": "Contacting Competing Engineer",
"proeth:counterfactual": "Without the contact and specific questioning, Engineer C would not have gained access to detailed competitor information",
"proeth:effect": "Competitive Intelligence Opportunity",
"proeth:necessaryFactors": [
"Direct contact from City Administrator",
"Discussion of specific technical issues",
"Engineer B\u0027s work being subject of inquiry"
],
"proeth:responsibilityType": "direct",
"proeth:responsibleAgent": "City Administrator",
"proeth:sufficientFactors": [
"City Administrator sharing specific details about Engineer B\u0027s work with competitor"
],
"proeth:withinAgentControl": true
}
Causal Language: Engineer C gains access to detailed information about competitor's work decisions while the competitor is unable to defend their position, which enabled Engineer C to respond by criticizing Engineer B's decisions
Necessary Factors (NESS):
- Access to competitor's work details
- Opportunity to comment without competitor present
- City Administrator's receptiveness to criticism
Sufficient Factors:
- Combination of competitive intelligence access + opportunity to influence without rebuttal
Responsibility Attribution:
Agent: Engineer C
Type: direct
Within Agent Control:
Yes
Causal Sequence:
-
Competitive Intelligence Opportunity
Engineer C gains detailed information about Engineer B's work -
Choosing Specific Commentary
Engineer C decides to comment on specific technical issues -
Criticizing Competitor's Work
Engineer C provides criticism of Engineer B's decisions
RDF JSON-LD
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},
"@id": "http://proethica.org/cases/20#CausalChain_2cefda9e",
"@type": "proeth:CausalChain",
"proeth:causalLanguage": "Engineer C gains access to detailed information about competitor\u0027s work decisions while the competitor is unable to defend their position, which enabled Engineer C to respond by criticizing Engineer B\u0027s decisions",
"proeth:causalSequence": [
{
"proeth:description": "Engineer C gains detailed information about Engineer B\u0027s work",
"proeth:element": "Competitive Intelligence Opportunity",
"proeth:step": 1
},
{
"proeth:description": "Engineer C decides to comment on specific technical issues",
"proeth:element": "Choosing Specific Commentary",
"proeth:step": 2
},
{
"proeth:description": "Engineer C provides criticism of Engineer B\u0027s decisions",
"proeth:element": "Criticizing Competitor\u0027s Work",
"proeth:step": 3
}
],
"proeth:cause": "Competitive Intelligence Opportunity",
"proeth:counterfactual": "Without detailed knowledge of Engineer B\u0027s specific work, Engineer C could not have provided targeted criticism",
"proeth:effect": "Criticizing Competitor\u0027s Work",
"proeth:necessaryFactors": [
"Access to competitor\u0027s work details",
"Opportunity to comment without competitor present",
"City Administrator\u0027s receptiveness to criticism"
],
"proeth:responsibilityType": "direct",
"proeth:responsibleAgent": "Engineer C",
"proeth:sufficientFactors": [
"Combination of competitive intelligence access + opportunity to influence without rebuttal"
],
"proeth:withinAgentControl": true
}
Causal Language: Engineer C responded by criticizing Engineer B's decisions, which made Engineer B's professional reputation vulnerable to criticism while unable to respond or defend their work
Necessary Factors (NESS):
- Specific criticism of Engineer B's work
- Engineer B's absence from the discussion
- City Administrator's consideration of the criticism
Sufficient Factors:
- Targeted criticism delivered to client without opportunity for Engineer B to respond
Responsibility Attribution:
Agent: Engineer C
Type: direct
Within Agent Control:
Yes
Causal Sequence:
-
Criticizing Competitor's Work
Engineer C provides specific criticism of Engineer B's technical decisions -
Professional Trust Breach
Engineer B's professional reputation becomes vulnerable while unable to defend their work
RDF JSON-LD
{
"@context": {
"proeth": "http://proethica.org/ontology/intermediate#",
"proeth-case": "http://proethica.org/cases/20#",
"rdf": "http://www.w3.org/1999/02/22-rdf-syntax-ns#",
"rdfs": "http://www.w3.org/2000/01/rdf-schema#"
},
"@id": "http://proethica.org/cases/20#CausalChain_6d9eb90f",
"@type": "proeth:CausalChain",
"proeth:causalLanguage": "Engineer C responded by criticizing Engineer B\u0027s decisions, which made Engineer B\u0027s professional reputation vulnerable to criticism while unable to respond or defend their work",
"proeth:causalSequence": [
{
"proeth:description": "Engineer C provides specific criticism of Engineer B\u0027s technical decisions",
"proeth:element": "Criticizing Competitor\u0027s Work",
"proeth:step": 1
},
{
"proeth:description": "Engineer B\u0027s professional reputation becomes vulnerable while unable to defend their work",
"proeth:element": "Professional Trust Breach",
"proeth:step": 2
}
],
"proeth:cause": "Criticizing Competitor\u0027s Work",
"proeth:counterfactual": "Without the specific criticism, Engineer B\u0027s reputation would not have been compromised in this manner",
"proeth:effect": "Professional Trust Breach",
"proeth:necessaryFactors": [
"Specific criticism of Engineer B\u0027s work",
"Engineer B\u0027s absence from the discussion",
"City Administrator\u0027s consideration of the criticism"
],
"proeth:responsibilityType": "direct",
"proeth:responsibleAgent": "Engineer C",
"proeth:sufficientFactors": [
"Targeted criticism delivered to client without opportunity for Engineer B to respond"
],
"proeth:withinAgentControl": true
}
Allen Temporal Relations (6)
Interval algebra relationships with OWL-Time standard properties| From Entity | Allen Relation | To Entity | OWL-Time Property | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| termination decision |
after
Entity1 is after Entity2 |
several years of relationship |
time:after
http://www.w3.org/2006/time#after |
After several years, the franchiser decided to terminate its relationship with Engineer A |
| City Administrator contacts Engineer C |
during
Entity1 occurs entirely within the duration of Entity2 |
Engineer B's active contract |
time:intervalDuring
http://www.w3.org/2006/time#intervalDuring |
Engineer C voiced this criticism while Engineer B was still under contract with Client A |
| Engineer B being in final year |
during
Entity1 occurs entirely within the duration of Entity2 |
3-year contract period |
time:intervalDuring
http://www.w3.org/2006/time#intervalDuring |
Engineer B is currently hired under these contract terms and is in the final year of the 3-year cont... |
| City Administrator questioning Engineer B's judgment |
during
Entity1 occurs entirely within the duration of Entity2 |
contract period |
time:intervalDuring
http://www.w3.org/2006/time#intervalDuring |
The City Administrator has questioned the judgment of Engineer B on several occasions during the con... |
| franchiser discussions with Engineer B |
before
Entity1 is before Entity2 |
contract expiration |
time:before
http://www.w3.org/2006/time#before |
before the contract expired, the franchiser began discussions with Engineer B |
| franchiser instruction to Engineer B |
before
Entity1 is before Entity2 |
design review |
time:before
http://www.w3.org/2006/time#before |
Prior to the review, franchiser specifically told Engineer B not to disclose to Engineer A |
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.