Engineering Ethics

1. Engineering Ethics Rules for Practice

2. Engineering Ethics • Engineering is a Profession • Professionals are highly educated • Clients (Employers) have less knowledge about what engineers do. • Engineers have an ethical obligation • Part of Engineering Ethics

3. Engineering Ethics • Interaction rules: Avoid conflicts • Etiquette • Respect for employers/clients, company based • Law • Clearly identified/penalty • Morals • Generally accepted behavior • Religious/culture based • Ethics • Drawn from all of the above

4. Engineering Ethics • Settling conflicts • Moral issues; use of traction devices in snowy conditions • Conceptual issues; what are “snowy conditions” • Application issues; accident if signs not posted • Factual issues; accident if signs posted

5. Engineering Ethics • Moral Theories, paths to moral solutions • Ethical Egoism: act is moral provided you act in your enlightened self-interest • Utilitarianism: Moral activities are ones that create most good for the most people • Rights Analysis: Actions that equally respect each human being. (Golden Rule)

6. Engineering Ethics • Rights Analysis • Hierarchy • Right to life, physical integrity, and mental health • Right to maintain one’s level of purposeful fulfillment, right not to be deceived, cheated, robbed, or defamed. • Right to increase one’s level of purposeful fulfillment, right to self-respect, to non-discrimination, and to acquire property

7. Engineering Ethics • When Theories Collide • Not all cases reach the same conclusion for the “moral” thing to do. • Use utilitarianism unless individual’s rights are seriously violated.

8. Engineering Ethics • Engineering ethics principles • Protect the public safety, health, and welfare. • Perform duties only in area of competence. • Be truthful and objective. • Behave in an honorable and dignified manner. • Continue learning to sharpen technical skill. • Provide honest hard work to employer or client. • Inform the proper authorities of harmful, dangerous, or illegal actives.

9. Engineering Ethics • Engineering ethics principles (continued) • Be involve with civic and community affairs. • Protect the environment (not all codes). • Do not accept bribes, or gifts that would interfere with engineering judgment. • Protect confidential information of employer or client. • Avoid conflicts of interest.