Moral and Ethics In Engineering Profession

(KXEX 2165)

Assignment #1



Lecturer : En. Baharuddin Khalid



Name Matric No.
Muhammad Faris Bin Mustafa Kamal KEA110026
Amirul Farhan Bin Faudzi KES110002
Mohamad Zulnashriq Bin Nordin KEA110021






Question:
Engineering design generally involves five steps : developing a statement of the problem
and/or a set of specifications, gathering information pertinent to the problem, designing
several alternatives that meet the specifications, analyzing the alternatives and selecting the
best one, and testing and implementing the best design. Discuss how is ethical problem
solving shares similar attributes with engineering design.

Answer:

1. In engineering design, we are obligated to design something than help or improve
human way of life. We, human are also obligated to prevent the earth from being polluted.
Thus make an engineer to design something that fulfilled both our responsible. In other
concept of engineering design is the creative process of identifying needs and finding a
solution to satisfy the needs. The solutions can be a product, technique, structure, a project
or a method.

The first step of engineering design is developing a statement of the problem or set
of specifications. The first thing to do when designing is to really know and understand the
problem in order to find the solutions that fit all the need. This is also true in solving ethical
problems. The problems and needs should be stated in objective terms or specific terms as
much as possible. Here is an example of definition in objective terms.

Design an energy absorption system that will control the energy of a crash of a 2500-pound car
traveling 60 miles per hour. The device should be no longer than 10 feet and should cost no more
than $10,000 per unit. The deceleration should not exceed 6 gs.

This is an example of definition of problem where the definitions will produce the solutions
that save human rather than concentrating on the cost. Meanwhile, the example for
unethical definitions of problem will be:

Design an energy absorption system that will control the energy of a car traveling at a fast speed at
impact. The device should be short and inexpensive to build. The deceleration should not be harmful
to the driver.

This would be unethical to describe something really poorly. The engineering might not
ended up with good solutions and it will waste time. Same goes for solving ethical problems.
Without proper explanations, and valid information from every aspect involved, the
problem still can be solved, but may produce unwanted side effects.

Second step is gathering information pertinent to the problems. After defining the
problem, an engineer must collect all the information and data necessary to solve the
problem. It could be physical measurements, maps, results of laboratory experiments,
patents, results of opinion surveys, or any number of other types of information.
Information on related problems that have been solved or unsolved may help engineers find
the best solution. In ethical context, this can be done using valid moral reasoning. During
gathering information, one must take into consideration moral issue, moral value, moral
dilemma, moral reasoning and many more.

The third step is designing several alternatives regarding the specifications. There are
several techniques that can be used to find the solutions. First of all, brain storming with
other group member. In these sessions, encourage and record all ideas, including those that
appear completely impractical. Do not allow judgment or evaluation of ideas during the idea
generation session. It is important to generate as many ideas as possible, encourage people
to build upon the ideas of others. Evaluate the ideas after the session is complete. Other
than brainstorming, the checklist is also a technique used in designing. The checklist
encourages the user to examine various points, areas, and design possibilities. This checklist
will make sure that the solutions will fulfilled the needs and it will be ethical solutions too.
With attribute listing, the ideas can be improved more about the design to make it more
ethical and the best solutions to all aspects. The forced relations technique needs to be take
in account so that the cost of the solutions can be reduced by using other good material or
different process to these solutions. In solving various ethical problems, one dont
necessarily come out with impractical idea because solid, reasonable idea is usually more
than enough.

Next, analysing the alternatives and select the best ones. There are many criteria
that engineers use to evaluate the value of a solution or design, which may depend on the
nature of the problem. If the solution involves a product, great importance may be placed
on safety, cost, reliability, and consumer acceptability. Many designers use prototypes to
test the operation of the design. The designer could then identify any weak areas of the
design and attempt to improve upon them. No idea should be discarded solely on the basis
of one prototype or one test. Many great designs have been discarded prematurely and
many working prototypes have failed to give acceptable products. How about in ethical
problems solving? The best solution should be simple, valid, reasonable, and right.

The final stage of the design process is implementation, the process of producing or
constructing a physical device, product, or system. Engineers must plan and oversee the
production of the devices or products and supervise the construction of the engineered
projects. Different engineers may, of course, be involved in this final phase. For the design
engineer, implementing the design is the most satisfying stage of all. Same goes in solving
ethical problem. If the solution chosen is the right one, the problem should be solved.











Question:

Mr. Jason Jomo is a final year engineering student doing a project management project. His
work involves designing an earthen damn for a client in Sarawak. In discussions with his
professor and the client, the client says that he has no intention of obtaining the proper
permits for this dam. It is out in the jungle, he argues, and nobody would care . But the dam
is upstream from a small community, and if it should burst, it could cause substantial
damage and possibly loss of life. The professor shrugs off Mr. Jomos concerns, saying that
they are just helping the client with the dam and are not really in responsible charge. Mr.
Jomo is not even a graduate engineer, much less a registered professional engineer. Does he
have a duty to society to do something about what he perceives to be clearly illegal and
unethical behaviour?

Answer:

2. They are a lot of thing that should be considered before we make the decision whether to
call it immoral. There is a lot of aspect that need to be look at. In order to make a judgement
on this matter, we need to consider these aspects of morality which are moral judgement,
moral reasoning, moral values, moral issues and moral dilemma.

Based on the statement above, it is clear that Mr. Jason Jomo have a duty to society even
though he is not a graduated engineer yet. This is because the client was clearly illegal and
conduct an unethical behaviour. Although Mr. Jomo is not graduate as engineer yet, he
must learn and practice moral and ethics in engineering profession to assist him to be a
good engineer in the future. In engineering design, we are oblige to design something based
on what client want. The design of the dam should hold paramount the health, safety, and
welfare of the public which is basic engineering aspect. If the Mr. Jomos dam leak or
collapse, it will give huge damage or disaster such as flood to the small community who stay
near the dam. It disagrees with the ethics. If something bad happen to the dam, the
community cannot claim the losses because the dam do not have proper permit. In addition,
Mr.Jomo will have moral dilemmas based on what the professor shrugs off his concerns. The
professor insists that he is just assisting the client and if failure happen to the dam, he will
not will be charged as Mr.Jomo is still not registered as qualified engineer. He will also be
involved in a conflict whether to help the client or not, if he consider what effect will
happen if the dam burst. Although he will not be effected if the dam burst, based on
morality he have responsibility to take care of the environment and welfare of the public.
The action of Mr.Jomo helps designing the dam for the client is moral but regarding the fact
that the client do not have permit from government, that help is immoral. In conclusion,
Mr.Jomo has the duty to society to prevent something bad happen to the community
staying near the dam and environment.