UNIT-1

Human Values Text: R.S. Naagarazan, A Textbook on Professional Ethics and Human Values

WHY ENGINEERING ETHICS ?

To understand the moral value that guides the Engineering Profession Resolve the moral issues in the profession Justify the moral judgement concerning the profession

Develop a set of beliefs, attitudes, and habits that engineers should display concerning morality

PRIME OBJECTIVE : ENGINEERING ETHICS

To increase an individuals ability to deal effectively with moral complexity in engineering practice.

OBJECTIVES : ENGINEERING ETHICS

Improvement of the cognitive skills ( skills of the intellect in thinking clearly)

1. 2. 3. 4.

5.

Moral awareness: Proficiency in recognizing moral problems in engineering Cogent moral reasoning : Comprehending, assessing different views Moral coherence: Forming consistent viewpoints based on facts Moral imagination: Searching beyond obvious the alternative responses to issues and being receptive to creative solutions. Moral Communication: To express and support ones views to others.

OBJECTIVES : ENGINEERING ETHICS (CONT)

To act in morally desirable ways, towards moral commitment and responsible conduct. 6. Moral reasonableness: Willing and able to be morally
responsible.
7. Respect for persons: Showing concern for the well-

being of others, besides oneself.

8. Tolerance of diversity: Respect for ethnic and religious

differences, and acceptance of reasonable differences in moral perspectives.

9. Moral hope: Believe in using rational dialogue for

resolving moral conflicts. 10. Integrity: Moral Integrity, and integrating ones professional life and personal convictions.

MORALS

Morals are the welfare principles expressed by the wise people, based on their experience and wisdom.
These principles were edited, changed or modified or evolved to suit the geography of the region, rulers ( dynasty), and in accordance with development of knowledge in science and technology and with time.

MORALS ( CONT)

Morality is concerned with the principles and practices of morals such as:

What ought or ought not to be done in a given situation? What is right or wrong about handling of a situation? What is good or bad about the people, policies and ideals involved?

Note: As against morals and ethics, laws are norms, formally approved by state, power or national or international political bodies. Breaking the norms is called crime, and invite specific punishment

MORALS ( CONT)
Morality 1. More general and prescriptive based on customs and traditions 2. More concerned with the results of wrong action, when done. Ethics 1. Specific and descriptive. It is a critical reflection on morals. 2. More concerned with the results of a right action, when not done

3. Thrust is on judgement and 3. Thrust is on influence, punishment, in the name of God or education, training through codes, by laws. guidelines, and correction. 4. In case of conflict between the two, morality is given top priority, because the damage is more. It is more common and basic. 5. Example: Character flaw, corruption, extortion, and crime Less serious, hence second priority only. Less common. But relevant today, because of complex interactions in the modern society. 5. Example: Notions, beliefs about the manners, tastes, customs, and towards laws.

VALUES

Humans have the unique ability to define their identity, choose their values and establish their beliefs. Identity, values and beliefs directly influence a persons behaviour. Definition:

A value is defined as a principle that promotes wellbeing or prevents harm. Values are guidelines for our success our example about what is acceptable.

VALUES ( CONT)

Personal values are defined as: Emotional beliefs in principles regarded as particularly favourable or important for the individual. Our values associate emotions to our experiences and guide our choices, decisions and actions. Values are the scales we use to weight our choice for our actions, whether to move towards or away from something.

Eg.: 1. A person moves away from snake 2. A person picks up gold in a walkway.

VALUES ( CONT)

Not all values have the same weight or priority : Illustrated by Dr. Abraham Maslow with his hierarchy of human needs.

VALUES ( CONT)