Sixteen authors of various backgrounds have contributed original papers to the book which evaluates the role of the professions in society today and assesses their likely roles in the future. Comparatively general issues applicable to many professions are discussed in part one--occupational principle vs. administrative principle, generating professional modes of self-regulation, professional freedom, professionalism and the individual, growing industrialization of the professions, unionism, and professional innovation in post-industrial society. Part two is devoted to a discussion of the present and future professional role of some specific professions: engineering, public accounting, medicine, priests and the church, teaching, social work, law, and professors and the university. Some aspects of these professions that are examined include: power structure, internal erosion, conservatism, accountability, professional-client relations, and professional status. The concluding section is directed toward the sociologist, "the professional who studies other professions". Two chapters deal with bias, reliability, and validity of sociological analysis. (EA)