Engineering Ethics

Professional Responsibilities or Doing the Right Thing

What is Ethics?

Defining Ethics

Is it ethical?

Is it legal?

Is it moral?

Defining Ethics
Ethics (from ancient Greece)
from the Greek word thos which means the persuasive appeal of ones character

the keyword here is character

Defining Ethics
Ethics (from Merriam-Webster)
the discipline dealing with what is good and bad and with moral duty and a set of moral principles or values a theory or system of moral values the principles of conduct governing an individual or a group (e.g., professional ethics)

Defining Ethics
Ethical (from Merriam-Webster)
of or relating to ethics

involving or expressing moral approval or disapproval

conforming to accepted professional standards of conduct

What are Moral Values? What is Morality?

Moral
of or relating to principles of right and wrong in behavior, good and bad behavior

Morality
a doctrine of system of moral conduct particular moral principles or rules of conduct conformity to ideals of right human conduct

Ultimately, morality is about reasons centered in respect for other people as well as ourselves, reasons that involve their good as well as our own.

Working Definitions
Ethics
the rules and ideals for human behavior they tell us what we ought to do

Engineering Ethics
the rules and ideals of the engineering profession

Meaning of Our Definitions

So, what do we mean by Ethics? a body of moral principles a set of rules and behaviors standards, rules and guidelines socially approved conduct respect for people and rights distinguished from matters of legality

Why should engineers have a code of ethics?

Tay Bridge (1879)

Ashtabula River Railroad (1876)

Quebec Bridge (1907)

Tay Bridge Disaster (1879)

Ashtabula River Railroad disaster (1876)

Quebec Bridge Collapse (1907)

Cost-Benefit Analysis: According to Ford's estimates, the unsafe tanks would cause 180 burn deaths, 180 serious burn injuries, and 2,100 burned vehicles each year. It calculated that it would have to $49.5 million. Alterations would cost $11 per car or truck, which added up to $137 million per year. Essentially, Ford argued before the government that it would be cheaper just to let their customers burn!

Worst industrial accident in the Worlds history?

Chernobyl disaster

1984: Bhopal Accident(India): chemical plant

1986: Challenger Space Shuttle Disaster

Herbert Hoover (on engineering)

The great liability of the engineer compared to men of other professions is that his works are out in the open where all can see them. His acts, step by step, are in hard substance. He cannot bury his mistakes in the grave like the doctors. He cannot argue them into thin air or blame the judge like the lawyers He cannot, like the politician, screen his shortcomings by blaming his opponents and hope that the people 31st President 1929-1933 will forget. The engineer simply cannot deny Mining Engineer that he did it. If his works do not work, he is damned forever.

Engineering (past and present)

Past
independent craftsman and consultant individualism and accountability personally identifiable engineer

Present
engineer is now less visible to the public technology is the domain of the corporation anonymity of the Engineer focused on serving the organization, not the public

Engineering Code of Ethics

Most 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.

Roles of Codes
Shared Standards
Positive Support to Act Ethically Guidance Concerning Obligations Motivation to do the right thing Education to help with making hard decisions

Deterrence and Discipline

Maintanence of Professional Image

ASCE Code of Ethics

Fundamental Principles

ASCE Code of Ethics

Fundamental Canons

ASCE Code of Ethics

Guidelines to Practice

http://www.asce.org/inside/files/pdf/CodeofEthics1.pdf

NSPE Code of Ethics

Preamble

NSPE Code of Ethics

Fundamental Canons

NSPE Code of Ethics

Rules of Practice

NSPE Code of Ethics

Professional Obligations

NSPE Code of Ethics

Professional Obligations (continued)

http://www.nspe.org/ethics/eh1-code.asp

Possible Sources of Conflict

Personal integrity vs. corporate loyalty
business interests such as cost

Career goals or considerations Deadlines Insufficient knowledge

Why should you have a code of ethics?

The Reality Is
You will be faced with ethical dilemmas They will have serious consequences, either now or in the future If you do the right thing it may go unnoticed, but If you dont, your job/career/company/family may be hurt, along with innocent customers, users, or other people

Remember
You are professional You are a member of a profession that has many worthy accomplishments You and others in your profession can do much to help to improve the quality of life