ETHICS IN ENGINEERING

RECAP
Ethics, a major branch of philosophy, encompasses right conduct and good living. It is significantly broader than the common conception of analyzing right and wrong.

Ethics 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

Engineering 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

Ethics Equation
ETHICAL BEHAVIOR
Quality products Conservation of resources Pride in work Public safety Timeliness DEVELOPMENT

UNETHICAL BEHAVIOR
Shoddy products Waste, fraud, greed Abuse of expertise Guilt, fear Lack of safety Cutting corners poor design rushed testing DISASTER

Why Study Engineering Ethics?

Increased awareness of importance due to Publicity surrounding high profile engineering failures Engineering decisions can impact public health, safety, business practices and politics Engineers should be aware of moral implications as they make decisions in the workplace.

Why Study Engineering Ethics?

Moral dilemmas
are situations in which two or more moral obligations, duties, rights, goods or ideals coming into conflict with one another and it appears that not all of them can be fully respected. Three sorts of complexity involved in moral situations
Vagueness Conflicting reasons Problem of disagreement.

Steps in Confronting Moral Dilemmas

Identify the relevant moral factors and reasons. Gather all available facts pertinent to the moral factors involved. Rank the moral consideration in order of importance. Consider alternative courses of action. Talk with colleagues and seek their suggestions. Arrive at a carefully reasoned judgement.

Why Study Engineering Ethics?

Moral autonomy:
Ability to think critically and independently about moral issues Ability to apply this moral thinking to situations that arise in the course of professional engineering practice Ethical problems in engineering are often complex and involve conflicting ethical principles. Engineers must be able to intelligently resolve these conflicts and reach a defensible decision.

Personal versus Business/Professional Ethics

Personal Ethics: Deals with how we treat others in our day-to-day lives. Business/Professional Ethics: Involves choices regarding relationships between organizations and other organizations, government, and groups of individuals. The complexity of these relationships often pose dilemmas not encountered in personal ethics.

Three types of inquiry in engineering Ethics

Normative inquiry More central, seek to identify the values that should guide individuals and groups. Conceptual inquiry Seek to clarify important concepts and ideas. Factual inquiry Seek to provide facts needed for understanding resolving value issues

Ethical Issues Faced by Engineers

Public Safety Bribery and Fraud Environmental Protection Fairness Honesty in Research and Testing Conflicts of Interest

Pillars of CharacterCharacterethical decisions

Making

Trustworthiness : quality of dependability and includes honesty integrity, loyalty, and promisekeeping. Respect : treating others (superiors, subordinates, clients, contractors) in a manner to enhance their dignity. Responsibility : comprises accountability, pursuit of excellence and self-restraint. Justice and Fairness : be objective and impartial, do what is right, pursuit of excellence Caring : when ethical decisions are made, the impact to all concerned should be minimized. Civic Virtue (accepting appointments, give time and money to social causes) and Citizenship : obligation to community which extends beyond self interest.

We live in a Litigious Society

Case study

 Engineer A, a professional engineer with expertise in civil engineering, served as a Civilian Building and Grounds Division Chief at a U.S. Army installation. An Army official requests that Engineer A certify that certain arms storage rooms and arms storage racks on the military installation are in accordance with certain specific, lengthy, and detailed Army physical security, arms, ammunition, and explosive regulations, which are cross-referenced with other Army regulations. Engineer A has read the Army regulations but has no significant training or knowledge in these areas. There are comprehensive training programs available for this type of work, but training funds are not available within the company.

Question: Would it be appropriate for Engineer A to certify as a qualified engineer the arms storage rooms and arms storage racks as requested by the Army official?

Can a firm competing for a project take credit for a previous project, when the project manager and the key personnel are no longer in its employ? What should be done?

You have just started working for a new company when you boss asks you for information on your work conducted by a previous employer which is under a secrecy agreement associated with your departure from that company. Your boss suggests that there is nothing sacred about such information and that sharing it would make you more valuable to the firm. What do you do?

An engineer under your supervision, in writing a final report for a client, plagiarizes his own work that was done for another client under confidential contract.

What should you do?

 You are auditing a facility as a private consultant. In reviewing production records you learn that the plant operates substantially beyond its permit limits, emitting as much as 50 to 70% more pollutants than allowed. However, when you were performing your official audit the plant was running within the permit limits. When you point out the over pollution to the plant manager, he offers you a bonus to ignore this in your report. You and your spouse have just had twins and could use some extra money. What do you do?

 Your company is to build a new plant. You are in charge of the project. To get the permit to operate you have to get government approval and the government minister is asking for cash to make the decision on your permit. What is your response to the minister?

Fundamental Principles
Autor:

Aristotle: (Virtue ethics) Jesus of Nazareth: (+ reciprocity) Confucius: ( - reciprocity) J. Bentham: (utilitarianism) J.S. Mill: (Libertarianism) I.

Principle:

In media virtus : virtue is the golden mean between two vices The golden rule: treat others as you would like to be treated Never impose on others what you would not choose for yourself The greatest happiness of the greatest number The limits of freedom is the freedom of the others.No harm - principle

Kant: (Universalization) Never use someone as mere means, but as an end in itself. Act as if the maxim of your actions should be a universal law for all men