Moral Sentiments and Professionalism in Post-Soviet Kyrgyzstan: Understanding Professional Practices and Ethics

The article focuses on sociological and ethical aspects of professional practices in post-Soviet Kyrgyzstan and offers three competing conceptual approaches to Soviet and post-Soviet professionalism: the moral consensus, the social control and the moral sentiments approaches. This article aims to contribute to the debate on how professional relationships are socially constructed, paying particular attention to their ethical content. We argue that the sociology of professions needs to engage with moral philosophy since moral reflexivity helps professionals to shape their responsibility to others. Were this not so, we would not care to judge others' actions, question their intentions or reason on how to live. Furthermore, as vulnerable and dependent human beings, we care for and have responsibilities to others. We suggest that the moral sentiments approach captures the tensions and conflicts of post-Soviet Kyrgyzstani professions, highlighting the importance of positive emotions and organizational capabilities to undertake good practices. This perspective argues that human beings are reflexive beings who are motivated by ultimate concerns and goals, pursue life projects, make commitments and act purposefully. The article shows how post-Soviet Kyrgyzstan professions operate in difficult political and economic conditions, and how far professionals possess positive sentiments for effective and good actions.