Why “criticize”?

I second this question.

I think I understand a bit more. He does go through the definitions and somewhat critique them. Not outwardly entirely nor very obviously until the author mentions "more to the meaning of profession," Those aren't the exact words, but you get my drift. He's just saying, hey these definitions aren't quite enough. There is simply something else that makes a profession a profession which is the ethical proclamation basically.

@bingolawyer, Great thinking. The author discusses each definition and points out its flaws, for example - "to profess is "to declare publicly"" But public announcement seems insufficient.." "Some believe that learning and knowledge are the diagnostic signs of a profession....Yet it is not only the pursuit and acquisition of knowledge that makes one a professional." The author ultimately finds each of the common definitions incomplete and concludes that "being a professional is thus rooted our moral nature and in that which warranted and impels making a public confession to a way of life" (lines 55-57). Let me know if you have any further questions.