Introduction To Engineering Ethics

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Introduction To Engineering Ethics

• Paul Shih, P.E.
• 26 March 2007

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Defining Ethics

• Ethics - synonyms for morally correct or
  justified - set of justified moral principles of
  obligation, rights, and ideals
• Ethics - particular beliefs or attitudes
  concerning morality
• Ethics - area of study or inquiry an activity
  of understanding moral values, resolving moral
  issues, and justifying moral judgments

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What are moral values? What is morality?

• Dictionary concerns right and wrong, good and
  bad, the rules that ought to be followed.
• Morality about reasons centered in respect for
  other people as well as ourselves, reasons that
  involve their good as well as our own.

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How are ethics and law related?
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Developing a Well-Reasoned Response to a Moral
Dilemma

• Moral dilemmas are situations in which two or
  more moral obligations, duties, rights, goods, or
  ideals come into conflict with one another.
• How does one decide whether a response is
  well-reasoned? What criteria apply? Can we
  reliably judge?

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Examples of Unethical Business Conduct

• Worldcom (19832002) Case over 5 billion
  dollars in losses and cover up on expenses.
• Enron (19852002) Case - over 3 billion dollars
  in fraud and losses.
• China Rebar (19592006) Case over 12 billion
  dollars in fraud and losses

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Engineering Ethics

• Why Ethics should be important to you as an
  engineer
• What resources are available to help you make
  ethical decisions when confronted with a moral
  dilemma

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Engineering Ethics

• Engineering ethics is the study of the moral
  values, issues, and decisions involved in
  engineering practice.
• responsibilities
• ideals
• character traits
• social policies
• relationships desirable from individuals and
  corporations engaged in engineering.

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ExampleThe Challenger Explosion

• Mission 51 - NASA January 28, 1986

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Whistle Blowing

• Ask yourself Do you have what it takes to stop
  something unethical at work?
• As an ethical engineer, are you prepared to blow
  the whistle when you act as the last defense line?

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Ethics and Practicing Engineering
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Engineering Code of Ethics

• Some professional organizations have addressed
  the complexity of moral issues in their fields by
  developing codes of ethics.
• Professional codes of ethics consist primarily of
  principles of responsibility that delineate how
  to promote the public good.
• Rituals such as the Iron Ring.

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Roles of Codes

• Shared Standards
• Positive Support to Act Ethically
• Guidance Concerning Obligations
• Motivation
• Education
• Deterrence and Discipline
• Professional Image

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NSPE Code of Ethics for Engineers

• Preamble
• I. Fundamental Canons
• II. Rules of Practice
• III. Professional Obligations

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Fundamental Canon

• Engineers, in the fulfillment of their
  professional duties, shall
• Hold paramount the safety, health and welfare of
  the public.
• Perform services only in areas of their
  competence.
• Issue public statements only in an objective and
  truthful manner.

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Fundamental Canon

• Act for each employer or client as faithful
  agents or trustees.
• Avoid deceptive acts.
• Conduct themselves honorably, responsibly,
  ethically, and lawfully so as to enhance the
  honor, reputation, and usefulness of the
  profession.

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QA