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Ethics and Professionalism

ASSOC. PROF. DR. MUHAMMAD


YUSOF ISMAIL

2.1 Objectives
To understand the concept of professionalism
and how engineering is considered a
profession.
To understand the concepts of personal,
social and professional ethics including
engineering ethics.

2.2 Introduction
Ethics study of moral actions
Engineering ethics the proper course of action
for engineers when dealing with each other.
Code of ethics - one of the characteristics of
modern professions.
These codes serve to guide engineers in making
decisions from BEM & IEEE.

Engineers create products and processes to


improve food production, shelter, energy,
communication, transportation, health and
protection against natural calamities.
Engineers enhance the convenience and beauty
of our everyday lives.
Engineers make possible spectacular human
triumphs.

2.3 Micro and Macro Issues


Micro concern the decisions made by
individuals and companies in pursuing their
projects.
Macro concern more global issues, such as
directions in technological development, laws
that should and should not be passed, collective
responsibilities of groups and consumer groups.

2.4 Board of Engineers Malaysia (BEM)


Under the Registration of Engineers Act 1967 and
formed on 23 August 1972.
To regulate the professional conduct and practice
of registered engineers in order to safeguard the
public safety and interest.
It plays a vital role in uplifting the image of
engineering profession.

2.5 Institute of Engineers Malaysia (IEM)


Professional learned society serving more than
15 000 members in Malaysia, overseas and
communities in which they work.
Formed in 1959 and admitted a member of
Commonwealth Engineers Council in 1962.

2.5.1 The objectives of IEM


To promote and advance the theory and practice of
engineering.
To raise the character and status, and advance the
interests of profession.
To increase the confidence of the community in the
employment of recognized engineers.
To promote honest practice, prevent malpractice
and settle disputed points of practice and ethics.

Arrange lectures, exhibitions and conferences,


seminars, courses.
Collect and disseminate engineering
information.
Encourage the study of engineering and improve
the general and technical knowledge of persons
engaged in the profession.
Promote improvements in legislation and its
administration.

2.6 Dimensions of Engineering


In the scope of manufacturing:
Step 1 Initiation of task
(idea, specific request or market demand)
Step 2 Design
(concept, goals, preliminary design, performance
specifications, preliminary analysis)
Step2a (detailed analysis:simulation/prototyping,
specifications for materials and components,
detailed shop drawings)

Step 3 Manufacture
(scheduling of tasks, purchasing components
and materials)
Step 3a (fabrication of parts, assembly/construction)
Step 3b (quality control/testing)
Step 4 Implementation
(advertising, sales and financing, operating and
parts manuals)
Step 4a (shipping and installation, operator training,
provision for safety measures and devices)
Step 4b (use of the product)

Step 4c (field service: maintenance, repairs, spare


parts)
Step 4d (monitoring social and environmental effects)
Step 4e (reporting findings to parties at possible risk)
Step 5 Final Tasks
(treatment service: rebuilding, recycling)
Step 5a (disposal of materials and wastes)
Design is usually the kind of problem solving we call ill-structured
you dont start off with a well-defined goal and alternatives words
from Herbert Simon (Journal of Engineering Education)

2.7 Potential Moral Problems


Engineering generally does not consist of
completing designs or processes one after
another in a straightforward progression of
isolated tasks.
It involves a trial-and-error process with
backtracking based on decisions made after
examining results obtained along the way.

These are the range of problems that can


generate moral challenges for engineers:
a) Lack of vision overlooks suitable
alternatives.
b) Incompetence carry out technical tasks.
c) Lack of time/lack of proper materials.
d) A silo mentality keeps information
rather than shared across different levels.

e) Dishonesty pressure by management


to take shortcuts.
f) Inattention how the product is
performing after it is sold and when in
use.

2.8 What is Engineering Ethics?


Consists of the responsibilities and rights that
ought to be endorsed by those engaged in
engineering and also of desirable ideals and
personal commitments in engineering.
The study of decisions, policies and values that
are morally desirable in engineering practice and
research.

2.9 Why study Engineering Ethics?


To increase our ability to deal effectively with
moral complexity in engineering.
To strengthens our ability to reason clearly and
carefully about moral questions.
To increase moral autonomy self-determining,
as the skill and habit of thinking rationally about
ethical issues on the basis of moral concern.

As related to engineering ethics, these skills


include the following:
a) Moral awareness proficiency in recognizing moral
problems and issues in engineering.
b) Good moral reasoning comprehending, clarifying
and assessing arguments on opposing sides of moral
issues.
c) Moral coherence forming consistent and
comprehensive viewpoints based on consideration of
relevant facts.

d) Moral imagination discerning alternative responses


to moral issues and finding creative solutions for
practical difficulties.
e) Moral communication precision in the use of a
common ethical language, a skill needed to express
and support ones moral views adequately to others.
f) Moral reasonableness the willingness and ability to
be morally reasonable.
g) Respect for persons genuine concern for the wellbeing of others as well as oneself.

h) Tolerance of diversity within a broad range, respect


for ethnic and religious differences and acceptance of
reasonable differences in moral perspectives.
i) Moral hope enriched appreciation of the possibilities
of using rational dialogue in resolving moral conflicts.
j) Integrity maintaining moral intergity and integrating
ones professional life and personal convictions.

Professionalism is a way of living rather than an


accumulation of certificates and learning.
Professionalism cannot be learned by
memorizing a set of rules like the code of ethics.
It is through the development of strong
professional attitude to give contribution to
society.

2.10 Importance of Codes


Codes of ethics state the moral responsibilities
of engineers.
Codes of ethics play at least 8 essential roles:
a) Serving and protecting the public.
b) Guidance
c) Inspiration

d) Shared standards
e) Support for responsible professionals
f) Education and mutual understanding
g) Deterrence and discipline
h) Contributing to the professions image

2.11 Moral Choices and Ethical Dilemmas


History - Designing Aluminum Cans
Henry Petroski chronicles development of aluminum can with stayon tab openers.
USA 100 billion cans produced each year.
First aluminum can designed in 1958 (Kaiser Aluminum).
To improve on heavier and more expensive tin cans.
Aluminum lightweight, flexible material to manufacture the bottom
and sides of can from single sheet.
The top to be added after the can was filled.

The trick was to make the can strong enough to keep pressurized
liquid inside and being thin enough to be cost-effective.
Fit conveniently in the hand.
Reliably satisfy customers needs.
Shape inward-dished bottom to improve stability when the can is
set down, provide some leeway for expensions of the can.
First aluminum cans opened with separate opener.
Required additional manufacturing costs to make readily available to
consumers.

Separate opener also caused inconvenience.


Ermal Fraze discovered, 1959 he had forgotten to bring the
opener while in picnic, what happen? He had to think other
alternative.
Fraze owned Dayton Reliable Tool and Manufacturing Company. He
came up with one idea small lever attached to the can and
removed as the can opened.
Idea proved workable and embraced by manufacturers.
Gradual improvements were made to ensure easy opening and
prevention of lip and nose injuries from the jagged edges of the
opening.

Within a decade an unanticipated crisis arose, creating an ethical


dilemma.
Fraze had not thought through the implications of billions of
discarded pull tabs causing pollution, foot injuries and harm to fish
and infants who ingested them.
The dilemma what to do to balance usefulness to consumers with
protection of the environment.
In 1976, Daniel F.Cudzik invented a simple, stay-attached opener.
Dilemma solved due to technological innovation.
Again, minor design improvements came as problems were
identified.

Search for improvements continues because people with arthritic


fingers or long and breakable fingernails have difficulty using the
openers.
Pollution from cans prompted recycling programs.
Petroski recounts these developments to illustrate how engineering
progresses by learning from design failures.
Designs that cause unacceptable risks or other problems.
At each stage of the design process, engineers are preoccupied
with what might go wrong.
To anticipate and prevent failures, drawing on knowledge about past
failures.

However, our interest is in how moral values were embedded in the


design process at all stages, to bring up ethical dilemmas
concerning environment.
Moral values decision-making process of engineers and their
managers probably appeared to be purely technical or economic.
This appearance is misleading that had moral dimensions in 4
general directions:
a) Safety
b) Environmental protection
c) Consumer usefulness
d) Economic benefits.

Safety:
a) slight cuts to lips and noses from poorly designed
openers and minor injuries to feet in recreation areas.
b) Minor injuries might cause infections.
c) Various kinds of poisoning might occur unless all
materials were tested under a range of conditions.
d) Extensive testing was needed to ensure that
exploding cans, did not cause automobile accidents
when drivers were distracted while opening cans.

Environmental protection:
a) The broader problem came from openers that
required corporate action in paying for recycled
materials.
b) Community action in developing the technologies for
recycling.
c) Changes in public policy and social attitudes about
recycling.

Consumer usefulness:
a) The terms such as useful and convenient products
were pertaining to the shape and appearance of cans
to satisfy human desires.
Economic benefits:
a) Money matters and it matters morally.
b) Jobs provide the livelihood for workers and their
families that make possible the material goods that
contribute to happiness and survival.
c) Corporations success contributes to livelihood of
suppliers, retailers and stakeholders.

End of slide
Thank you for listening & participating

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