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ETHICS INETHICS IN
ENGINEERINGENGINEERING
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RECAPRECAP
Ethics, a major branch of philosophy,encompasses right conduct and good living.
It is significantly broader than the commonconception of analyzing right and wrong.
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Ethics DefinedEthics DefinedEthics DefinedEthics Defined
Study of human morality
Determining values in human conduct
Deciding the right thing to do - based upon a set of norms
In Engineering:
dealing with colleagues
dealing with clients
dealing with employees dealing with users
dealing with public
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Engineering as an Ethical ProfessionEngineering as an Ethical ProfessionEngineering as an Ethical ProfessionEngineering as an Ethical Profession
What is a Profession?
special expertise
shared moral values
dependent public self-regulation
promote and protect right actions
The responsibility to be ethical The right to be ethical
Values embedded in technology
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Ethics EquationEthics EquationEthics EquationEthics Equation
Quality products
Conservation of
resources Pride in work
Public safety
Timeliness
DEVELOPMENT
Shoddy products
Waste, fraud, greed
Abuse of expertise Guilt, fear
Lack of safety
Cutting corners
poor design
rushed testing
DISASTER
ETHICAL BEHAVIOR UNETHICAL BEHAVIORETHICAL BEHAVIOR UNETHICAL BEHAVIOR
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Why Study Engineering Ethics?Why Study Engineering Ethics?
Increased awareness of importance due toPublicity surrounding high profileengineering failures
Engineering decisions can impact publichealth, safety, business practices andpolitics
Engineers should be aware of moralimplications as they make decisions in theworkplace.
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Why Study Engineering EthicsWhy Study Engineering Ethics??
Moral dilemmas are situations in which two or more moral
obligations, duties, rights, goods or idealscoming into conflict with one another and it
appears that not all of them can be fullyrespected.
Three sorts ofcomplexityinvolved in moralsituations
Vagueness
Conflicting reasons
Problem of disagreement.
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Steps in Confronting Moral DilemmasSteps in Confronting Moral Dilemmas
Identify the relevant moral factors and reasons.
Gather all available facts pertinent to the moralfactors involved.
Rank the moral consideration in order ofimportance.
Consider alternative courses of action.
Talk with colleagues and seek their suggestions.
Arrive at a carefully reasoned judgement.
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Why Study Engineering Ethics?Why Study Engineering Ethics?
Moral autonomy:
Ability to think critically and independentlyabout moral issues
Ability to apply this moral thinking tosituations that arise in the course of professional engineering practice
Ethical problems in engineering are oftencomplex and involve conflicting ethicalprinciples.
Engineers must be able to intelligentlyresolve these conflicts and reach adefensible decision.
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Personal versusPersonal versusBusiness/Professional EthicsBusiness/Professional Ethics
Personal Ethics: Deals with how we treat others in our day-to-day lives.
Business/Professional Ethics:
Involves choices regarding relationshipsbetween organizations and other organizations, government, and groups ofindividuals.
The complexity of these relationships oftenpose dilemmas not encountered in personalethics.
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Three types of inquiry in engineeringThree types of inquiry in engineeringEthicsEthics
Normative inquiry
More central, seek to identify the values
that should guide individuals and groups. Conceptual inquiry
Seek to clarify important concepts andideas.
Factual inquiry
Seek to provide facts needed forunderstanding resolving value issues
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Ethical Issues Faced byEthical Issues Faced by
EngineersEngineers
Public Safety
Bribery and Fraud
Environmental Protection
Fairness
Honesty in Research and Testing
Conflicts of Interest
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Pillars of CharacterPillars of Character-- MakingMakingethical decisionsethical decisions
Trustworthiness : quality of dependability andincludes honesty integrity, loyalty, and promise-keeping.
Respect: treating others (superiors, subordinates,clients, contractors) in a manner to enhance theirdignity.
Responsibility: comprises accountability, pursuit ofexcellence and self-restraint.
Justice and Fairness : be objective and impartial, dowhat is right, pursuit of excellence
Caring : when ethical decisions are made, the impactto all concerned should be minimized.
Civic Virtue (accepting appointments, give timeand money to social causes) andCitizenship :obligation to community which extends beyond selfinterest.
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We live in a Litigious SocietyWe live in a Litigious Society
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Case studyCase study
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Engineer A, a professional engineer with expertise in civilengineering, served as a Civilian Building and GroundsDivision Chief at a U.S. Army installation. An Army officialrequests that Engineer A certify that certain arms storagerooms and arms storage racks on the military installationare in accordance with certain specific, lengthy, anddetailed Army physical security, arms, ammunition, andexplosive regulations, which are cross-referenced withother Army regulations. Engineer A has read the Armyregulations but has no significant training or knowledge inthese areas. There are comprehensive training programsavailable for this type of work, but training funds are notavailable within the company.
Question:
Would it be appropriate for Engineer A to certify as aqualified engineer the arms storage rooms and armsstorage racks as requested by the Army official?
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Can a firm competing for a project takecredit for a previous project, when theproject manager and the key personnel areno longer in its employ?
What should be done?
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You have just started working for a new companywhen you boss asks you for information on yourwork conducted by a previous employer which isunder a secrecy agreement associated with yourdeparture from that company. Your boss
suggests that there is nothing sacred about suchinformation and that sharing it would make youmore valuable to the firm.
What do you do?
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An engineer under your supervision, inwriting a final report for a client,plagiarizes his own work that was done foranother client under confidential contract.
What should you do?
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You are auditing a facility as a privateconsultant. In reviewing production recordsyou learn that the plant operatessubstantially beyond its permit limits,emitting as much as 50 to 70% morepollutants than allowed. However, when youwere performing your official audit the plant
was running within the permit limits. Whenyou point out the over pollution to the plantmanager, he offers you a bonus to ignore thisin your report. You and your spouse have
just had twins and could use some extra
money.
What do you do?
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Your company is to build a new plant. Youare in charge of the project. To get thepermit to operate you have to getgovernment approval and the government
minister is asking for cash to make thedecision on your permit.
What is your response to the minister?
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FundamentalFundamental PrinciplesPrinciples
Autor: Principle:Aristotle:
(Virtue ethics) In media virtus : virtue is the golden meanbetween two vices
Jesus of Nazareth:(+ reciprocity) The golden rule: treat others as you would
like to be treatedConfucius:
( - reciprocity) Never impose on others what you would notchoose for yourself
J. Bentham:(utilitarianism) The greatest happiness of the greatest
numberJ.S. Mill:
(Libertarianism) The limits of freedom is the freedom of theothers.No harm - principleI. Kant:
(Universalization) Never use someone as mere means, but asan end in itself.
Act as if the maxim of your actions should be a universallaw for all men
