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ENGINEERING

San Francisco State University

School of Engineering

Fall 2007

Case Study: Ford PintoAugust 10, 1978 Design:

compete with foreign import models that hadbetter gas mileage

rushed to have it available to the public faster

Problem: Ford knew that the gas tank would explode if hit

at >20mph from rear

Problem avoided if a rubber bladder to cushion impact was

installed that cost $5.08

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Rationale Cost analysis: the cost of installing the part was

be higher than the damage resulting fromfatalities

Resolution Ford eventually did recall the Pinto voluntarily to

save their reputation

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Case Study:The Space Shuttle Challenger

January 28, 1986

An O-ring on one of thesolid-propellant boostersfailed

The Challenger and herseven member crew were

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blown up 73 seconds after

launch

The Space Shuttle ChallengerEngineering Ethical Issue

The Challenger was launched in extremelyco wea er

An O-ring failed because of the cold

Engineers recommended that the launchbe delayed

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Ethical issue or accident?

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The Space Shuttle ChallengerEngineering Ethical Issue

NASAs budget was determined by Congress

ongress was ecom ng ncreas ng y un appy wdelays and performance in the shuttle project

NASA billed the shuttle as reliable andinexpensive

NASA was under pressure by competitor,

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Previous mission had been delayed numeroustimes by both weather and mechanical failures

The Space Shuttle ChallengerEngineering Ethical Issue

The O-ring temperature was predicted to be 29.

No data or experience existed below 53 degrees Engineers knew that cold weather would increase

problems with sealing of O-rings.

Engineers recommended not to launch

With the available data, there seemed to be no

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corre a on e ween empera ure an corros on Manager to Engineer:

Take off your engineering hat and put on yourmanagement hat.

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The Space Shuttle ChallengerEngineering Ethical Issue

Should a launch have been allowed when there

Knowing that it is impossible to test for all possibleoperating conditions?

Should a product be released when it hasntbeen tested over all expected operationalconditions?

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When the data is inconclusive, which way should

the decision go?

What is Engineering Ethics?

The study of moral decisions that must bema e y eng neers n e course oengineering practice

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Why study engineering ethics?

Engineering is a profession, not just a job

(BEFORE you have to confront them)

Goal is to train you to analyze complexproblems

May require analysis using ethical theories

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be obvious

May involve conflicting ethical principles

Ethics and the Law

Engineering and business

overne y n erna ona , e era , s a e, an ocalaws

Many laws are based on ethical principles andothers on practical issues

Engineers are minimally safe following laws

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ng neer ng e cs see s o go eyon edictates of the law

Our interest is in solving conflict with ethicswhere there is no legal guidance

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One Source of Ethical Issue:

Lack of Knowledge Engineering design is about creating new

When something is new, many questions needto be answered How well does it work?

How will it affect people?

What changes will this lead to in society?

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How well will this work under all conditions?

Is it safe?

If safety concerns exist, how bad are they?

What are the effects of doing nothing?

Professionalism andCodes of Ethics

Codes of Ethics

Resources that are available to an engineerto help find a solution

Provides a framework for ethical judgment

Codes serve as a starting point for ethicaldecision makin

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Principles and standards accepted by theengineering practice

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Professionalism and

Codes of Ethics Codes of Ethics are found in individual societies

(IEEE) Relatively short code

Deals with generalities

National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE) Longer and more detailed

More explicit and covers more ground

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Leaves less to the imagination

More useful for specific cases

Organizations and corporations have codes ofethics

Understanding Ethical Problems

Ethical problems are like design problems

A device must be designed that meets criteriafor performance, aesthetics, and price

Apply a large body of knowledge to thesolution of a problem

Involves use of analytical skills

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There are many correct solutions

Some solutions are better than others

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Understanding Ethical Problems Ethical and moral theories

Utilitarianism -

Produce the most utility balance between good and badconsequences

Duty Ethics Duties should be performed regardless of whether these acts lead

to the most good

Rights Ethics Emphasizes that we all have moral rights and any action that

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v o a es ese r g s s e ca y unaccep a e

The ultimate overall good of the actions is not taken into account

Virtue Ethics Regards actions as right that manifest good character traits

Regards actions as bad that display bad character traits

Focuses on the type of person we should strive to be

Utilitarianism Emphasis on well-being of society as a whole, not of the

individual

Ignores needs of individuals

Cost-Benefit analysis often used Projects with the highest ratio of benefits to costs will be

implemented

Can create problems, such as a nuclear disposal site Benefits society with improved health care and plentiful

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Could have adverse health effects to local population

Implementation depends greatly on knowing what willlead to the most good.

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Duty Ethics

Immanuel Kant (1724-1804) Formulated dut ethics Moral duties are fundamental Right and wrong can be determined by reason

Actions that can be written down as a list ofduties Be honest Dont cause suffering to other people

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Be fair to others, etc.

Once duties are recognized, the ethically correctmoral actions are obvious People have duties, one of which is to protect

the rights of others

Rights Ethics

Formulated by John Locke (1632-1704)

Actions are good that respect the rightsof the individual

Humans have the right to life, liberty, andproperty

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people have a duty to respect

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Virtue Ethics

Interested in determining what kind ofpeop e we s ou e

Defined as moral distinction and goodness

Actions are considered right if theysupport good character traits

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support bad character traits Closely tied to personal character

Examining a Given Problem

Which Ethical Theory to Use?

You dont have to choose

Use all theories to analyze a problem fromdifferent angles

Allows for different perspectives and tosee the result each theory gives

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,even though the theories are different

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Ethical Problem Solving TechniquesSolving by Understanding Issues

Factual issues (ex. Bribe vs. gift) Can often be resolved throu h research to establish

the truth

Conceptual issues Are resolved by agreeing on the meaning of terms

and concepts

Moral issues Are resolved by agreement as to which moral

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pr nc p es are per nen how they should be applied

Ethical Problem Solving TechniquesMoral Conflict Problems

Problem exists with two conflicting moral

Solution can be obvious when one is moresignificant than the other

When solution is not obvious, use thecreativemiddle way

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Middle ground that is acceptable to everyone Use judgment for the best choice possible

with the information available at the time

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Ethical Problem Solving TechniquesGifts vs Bribes

Definition of bribery oney or avor o ere or g ven o someone

Intended to influence or persuade

Consequences Illegal, subject to laws

Anti-competitive and corrupts our free-market

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econom c system

Gifts are usually of nominal value and arejust a form of advertising

Ethical Problem Solving TechniquesAvoiding Bribery Problems

Look for company policy

All large corporations and small companieshave very clear rules about what is acceptable

Any deviation from this rule requires approval

Other companies encourage social interactionand allow employees more discretion

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New York Times Test

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Engineers and Safety

Design must comply with applicable laws

n accep a e es gn mus mee e s an ar oaccepted engineering practice

Alternative design that are potentially safer mustbe explored

The engineer must attempt to foresee potential

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m suses o t e pro uct

Both prototypes and finished devices must berigorously tested

Professional SuccessImpediments to Ethical Behavior

Many of the ethical situations that

solutions

The ethically correct course of action isknown

Rationale used in unethical behavior

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Its not my problem If I dont do it, someone else will

I cant foresee everything that will happen

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END

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