lations and a spirit of uniqueness with professional ideals. These are the building blocks of any solid ethical code, which, eventually, informs the public of what to expect from the profession. However, all professional codes are primarily self-regulating and intentionally self-limiting. This is not so much done for the good of others, as it is done for the good of the entire profession, art, or craft. It is to simplify the work of the practitioner and relieve him/her of the burden of complex ethical decisions. "There is a specific way of doing things in this profession and that is that," would be an appropriate response in such a case.
             Generally, ethical codes were organized based on experience and practice congruent with societal norms. The fact that others benefited from this approach of organization and regulation was completely coincidental. One of the best historical examples is Hippocrates' own aphorism: "Life is short, and the art long; the occasion fleeting; the experience fallacious, and judgment difficult. The physician must not only be prepared to do what is right himself, but also to make the patient, the attendants, and externals cooperative." As is shown, patients, other caregivers, and even external circumstances (such as the room and the weather) all must bend to the will of the doctor, guided by his oath.
             It is fortunate for society that professional codes of conduct eventually became a protecting force for individuals. This is perhaps due to the nature of man as self-absorbed, rather than the higher ideals he espouses. Eventually some codes, especially where personal life, safety, or freedoms were concerned, became codified into law. In many instances, codes have grown to form the nexus of society's criminal and civil law. Due to the implementation of the codes, most of civilized society is better, as any set of rules conducting personal behavior instated from within...