UTC I dont think the definition from Webbs really works given the change that has happened since it was first written   The idea that professionals supply disinterested counsel and service to others for a direct and definite compensation wholly apart from expectation of other business gain is a bit naive particularly in the I think a more realistic and up to date defintion is required For instance in the light of Holocaust in which many German professionals acted as instruments of a disfunctional state which would tend to indicate that service for others may not be have the intention but was taken to a tragic extreme Likewise the recent financial crisis would tend to indicate that profession of banker if it is a profession has shown to conducted wholly for business gain ie higher profit larger bonuses whilst other professions have shown themselves to be very interested in business gain often to the detriment to the business eg accountants in the Enron scandal  I am not saying that Perks is the ideal source of information but would suggest we need to cast around for a better definition and one that is couched in more modern language     November