PREFACE This work was begun in New Orleans under the stimulus of weekly gatherings of business and professional men "in Doiseau's office" to discuss philosophical problems. The possibility of introducing philosophy into daily life and of interpreting practical affairs philosophically became apparent to all of us. The recent development of professional and business ethics has afforded an opportunity to work out this possibility in a limited but fruitful field. The investigation of the problem has been facilitated by the coöperation of associations of professional and business men and especially by the Graduate College administration at Iowa. Dean Seashore and Professor Patrick have offered many valuable suggestions and criticisms, while the insistence of Professor Starbuck on empiricism in Philosophy has considerably influenced the method. Dean Jones, of the Iowa Law College, read the manuscript of Chapter II; Dr. D. B. Steinman, President of the American Association of Engineers, and Professor Burton P. Fleming, of the Iowa College of Engineering, read Chapter IV; Mr. Frank E. Reynolds, Secretary of the Ohio State Teachers' Association, Chapter V; and Mr. Olin West, Secretary of the American Medical Association, and Dr. George Miller, of the Iowa College of Medicine, Chapter VI. The severely adverse criticism offered by these men has been as helpful as their commendations, and I am deeply grateful for their suggestions. To the New York County Lawyers' Association I am indebted for much valuable case and reference material; to the American Association of Engineers, for permission to use their cases freely, and to Rotary International and the Chamber of Commerce of the United States, for materials. Every effort was made to secure accurate information and to be fair in critical interpretation. Final judgment for what appears in this volume has rested with the author, who assumes all responsibility for the book as it stands. |