I'd like to see a self-controlled case series design here, so we can isolate the effect of studying ethics and working as an ethicist from the choice to do so.

I'd like to see a self-controlled case series design here, so we can isolate the effect of studying ethics and working as an ethicist from the choice to do so. For instance, if I gathered together experts on sobriety I suspect the group would include many very heavy drinkers. That's because most people don't interact with the concept of sobriety unless they have a problem with their drinking. Maybe these ethicists took up the field because they were struggling to behave ethically, and so becoming individuals with a normal amount of flaws is a major improvement.