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ETHICS IN ENGINEERING
San Francisco State University School of Engineering Fall 2007

Case Study: Ford Pinto

Design:

August 10, 1978

compete with foreign import models that had better gas mileage rushed to have it available to the public faster

Problem:

Ford knew that the gas tank would explode if hit at >20mph from rear

Problem avoided

if a rubber bladder to cushion impact was installed that cost $5.08

Rationale

Cost analysis: the cost of installing the part was be higher than the damage resulting from fatalities

Resolution

Ford eventually did recall the Pinto voluntarily to save their reputation

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Case Study: The Space Shuttle Challenger January 28, 1986

An O-ring on one of the solid-propellant boosters failed The Challenger and her seven member crew were blown up 73 seconds after launch

Engineering Ethics

The Space Shuttle Challenger Engineering Ethical Issue The Challenger was launched in extremely cold weather ld th An O-ring failed because of the cold Engineers recommended that the launch be delayed Management overruled the engineers Ethical issue or accident?

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The Space Shuttle Challenger Engineering Ethical Issue

NASAs budget was determined by Congress
Congress was becoming increasingly unhappy with delays and performance in the shuttle project

NASA billed the shuttle as reliable and inexpensive NASA was under pressure by competitor, European Space Agency Previous mission had been delayed numerous times by both weather and mechanical failures
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The Space Shuttle Challenger Engineering Ethical Issue

The O-ring temperature was predicted to be 29 degrees F F. No data or experience existed below 53 degrees
Engineers knew that cold weather would increase problems with sealing of O-rings. Engineers recommended not to launch

With the available data, there seemed to be no correlation between temperature and corrosion l ti b t t t d i Manager to Engineer:
Take off your engineering hat and put on your management hat.
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The Space Shuttle Challenger Engineering Ethical Issue

Should a launch have been allowed when there was no test data for the expected conditions?
Knowing that it is impossible to test for all possible operating conditions?

Should a product be released when it hasnt been tested over all expected operational conditions? When the data is inconclusive, which way should the decision go?

Engineering Ethics

What is Engineering Ethics?

The study of moral decisions that must be made by engineers in the course of d b i i th f engineering practice

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Why study engineering ethics?

Engineering is a profession, not just a job Sensitize you to important ethical issues
(BEFORE you have to confront them)

Goal is to train you to analyze complex problems May require analysis using ethical theories Correct answer to an ethical problem may not be obvious May involve conflicting ethical principles
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Ethics and the Law

Engineering and business
Governed by international federal state, and local international, federal, state laws

Many laws are based on ethical principles and others on practical issues Engineers are minimally safe following laws Engineering beyond Enginee ing ethics seeks to go be ond the dictates of the law Our interest is in solving conflict with ethics where there is no legal guidance
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One Source of Ethical Issue: Lack of Knowledge

Engineering design is about creating new devices and products When something is new, many questions need to be answered
How well does it work? How will it affect people? What changes will this lead to in society? How well will this work under all conditions? Is it safe? If safety concerns exist, how bad are they? What are the effects of doing nothing?
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Professionalism and Codes of Ethics

Codes of Ethics
Resources that are available to an engineer to help find a solution Provides a framework for ethical judgment

Codes serve as a starting point for ethical decision making Principles and standards accepted by the engineering practice
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Professionalism and Codes of Ethics

Codes of Ethics are found in individual societies
Institute for Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)
Relatively short code Deals with generalities

National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE)

Longer and more detailed More explicit and covers more ground Leaves less to the imagination More useful for specific cases

Organizations and corporations have codes of ethics

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Understanding Ethical Problems

Ethical problems are like design problems
A device must be designed that meets criteria for performance, aesthetics, and price Apply a large body of knowledge to the solution of a problem Involves use of analytical skills There are many correct solutions Some solutions are better than others

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Understanding Ethical Problems

Ethical and moral theories
Utilitarianism
Cost-Benefit Cost Benefit Analysis Produce the most utility balance between good and bad consequences

Duty Ethics
Duties should be performed regardless of whether these acts lead to the most good

Rights Ethics
Emphasizes that we all have moral rights and any action that i l t th i ht is thi ll t bl violates these rights i ethically unacceptable The ultimate overall good of the actions is not taken into account

Virtue Ethics
Regards actions as right that manifest good character traits Regards actions as bad that display bad character traits Focuses on the type of person we should strive to be
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Utilitarianism
Emphasis on well-being of society as a whole, not of the individual Ignores needs of individuals Cost-Benefit analysis often used
Projects with the highest ratio of benefits to costs will be implemented

Can create problems, such as a nuclear disposal site

Benefits society with improved health care and plentiful electricity Could have adverse health effects to local population

Implementation depends greatly on knowing what will lead to the most good.
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Duty Ethics
Immanuel Kant (1724-1804)
Formulated duty ethics Moral duties are fundamental Right and wrong can be determined by reason

Actions that can be written down as a list of duties

Be honest Dont cause suffering to other people g p p Be fair to others, etc.

Once duties are recognized, the ethically correct moral actions are obvious People have duties, one of which is to protect the rights of others
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Rights Ethics
Formulated by John Locke (1632-1704) Actions are good that respect the rights of the individual Humans have the right to life, liberty, and property People have fundamental rights that other people have a duty to respect

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Virtue Ethics
Interested in determining what kind of people we should be l h ld b Defined as moral distinction and goodness Actions are considered right if they support good character traits Actions are considered wrong if they support bad character traits Closely tied to personal character
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Examining a Given Problem Which Ethical Theory to Use?

You dont have to choose Use all theories to analyze a problem from different angles Allows for different perspectives and to see the result each theory gives Frequently, Frequently the result will be the same even though the theories are different

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Ethical Problem Solving Techniques

Solving by Understanding Issues Factual issues (ex. Bribe vs. gift) Conceptual issues Moral issues
Can often be resolved through research to establish the truth Are resolved by agreeing on the meaning of terms and concepts Are resolved by agreement as to which moral i i l ti t principles are pertinent how they should be applied

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Ethical Problem Solving Techniques Moral Conflict Problems

Problem exists with two conflicting moral values Solution can be obvious when one is more significant than the other When solution is not obvious, use the creative middle way
Middle ground that is acceptable to everyone

Use judgment for the best choice possible with the information available at the time
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Ethical Problem Solving Techniques Gifts vs Bribes

Definition of bribery
Money o fa o offe ed or given Mone or favor offered o gi en to someone Intended to influence or persuade

Consequences
Illegal, subject to laws Anti-competitive and corrupts our free-market i t economic system

Gifts are usually of nominal value and are just a form of advertising
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Ethical Problem Solving Techniques Avoiding Bribery Problems

Look for company policy
All large corporations and small companies have very clear rules about what is acceptable Any deviation from this rule requires approval Other companies encourage social interaction and allow employees more discretion

New York Times Test

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Engineers and Safety

Design must comply with applicable laws An A acceptable design must meet the standard of t bl d i t t th t d d f accepted engineering practice Alternative design that are potentially safer must be explored The engineer must attempt to foresee potential i f th d t misuses of the product Both prototypes and finished devices must be rigorously tested
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Professional Success Impediments to Ethical Behavior

Many of the ethical situations that engineers face have obvious correct solutions The ethically correct course of action is known Rationale used in unethical behavior
Its not my problem If I dont do it, someone else will I cant foresee everything that will happen
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