GE 6075- PROFESSIONAL ETHICS IN ENGINEERING

2 MARKS QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

UNIT I HUMAN VALUES
1. What are human values?
Values decide the standard of behavior. Some universally accepted values are freedom
justice and equality. Other principles of values are love, care, honesty, integrity, self
respect.
2. What are ethical values?
Trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring is ethical values.
3. Distinguish values from ethics and culture.
Values are mainly related to individuals and since they are related to justice, they remain
the some for every one. E.g. truth, honesty, empathy, self respect.
Values do not change from individual to individual. Ethics is common to a group of
individuals; the group may be religious or professional. Ethics is mostly based on some
code or law and judgment of any action is based on code of conduct or law. Ethics
change from individual to individual
Culture commonly refers to conduct of a group. E.g system of worship,
marriage It may differ from society to society, nation to nation or religion to
religion.
4. What is integrity?
Integrity is the unity of character based on moral values. Consistency in attitudes,
emotions and conduct in relations to morally justified actions and values are also the part
of integrity of individual. It implies honesty, trustworthiness.
5. Define work ethics
By ones work one cannot harm others. Any worker cannot escape accountability. Worker
has the moral responsibility to see that no other persons right, private or freedom is
impaired or transgressed.
6. What is service learning?
Service learning tells that one has moral responsibility to increase the desirable effects
and to decrease the harmful effects. Any service should increase the desirable result.
7. Mention some civic virtues?
Good citizen demand civic virtue. It is the principle of not harming the surroundings .it
also includes living peacefully, respect for others, protecting the environment and being
normally and ethically good.
8. Write short notes on caring and sharing.
Caring is the essence of moral life. Caring involves feelings, relationship, contends with
other persons and protecting others and causing least damage to others.
Sharing means sharing of feelings, ideas thoughts, resources and profits. Sharing is
always mutually beneficial. Sharing morally acceptable feelings, resources and
materials is a value.
9. Write notes on honesty.
Any human being should imbibe honesty-honesty in acts, honesty in speech and honesty
in beliefs. Honesty is the fundamental virtue in human relationship even though in may
be difficult to follow some times.

10. What is courage as a value?

Courage implies self respect and governs confrontations with danger and risk. It is not
excessive rashes or cowardice, but it is the middle ground. Taking calculated risks and
boldness in facing crises are the hallmarks of courage as a human value. It defines the
mental make up of an individual in taking bold decisions even under adverse situations.
11. Define co-operation.
Co-operation means extending help to others, for a good cause. Co-operation may be
through an idea, a suggestion, an assistance or physical work which extends to others for
common benefit.
12. Define empathy.
Empathy means putting self in a position of someone else and thinking as the
later and reasoning suitable action.
13. Define spirituality.
Spirituality raises a man above the materialistic world into a realm where he seeks
peace and real happiness.
14. Define Integrity?
Integrity is the bridge between responsibility in private and professional life.
15. Define Compromise?
In a negative sense it means to undetermined integrity by violating ones fundamental
moral principles.
In a positive sense, however, it means to settle differences by mutual concessions or to
reconcile conflicts through adjustments in attitude and conduct.
16. Give the two aspects of Honesty?
Truthfulness meeting responsibilities concerning truth-telling. Trustworthiness
Meeting responsibilities concerning trust.
17. Differentiate Self-respect and Self-esteem?
Self-respect: It is a moral concept; refers to the virtue properly valuing oneself. Self-esteem:
It is a psychological concept; means having a positive attitude toward oneself, even if the
attitude is excessive or otherwise unwarranted.
18. Define Integrity?
Integrity is the bridge between responsibility in private and professional life.
19. Define Compromise?
In a negative sense it means to undetermined integrity by violating ones fundamental
moral principles.
In a positive sense, however, it means to settle differences by mutual concessions or to
reconcile conflicts through adjustments in attitude and conduct.
20. Give the two aspects of Honesty?
o Truthfulness meeting responsibilities concerning truth-telling.
oTrustworthiness Meeting responsibilities concerning trust.
21. Define Moral Autonomy?
Self-determining
Independent
Personal Involvement
Exercised based on the moral concern for other people and recognition of good moral
reasons

22. Give the need for Authority?

Authority provides the framework in which learning can take place.
23. What is the need to study Ethics?
*To responsibly confront moral issues raised by technological activity.
*To recognize and resolve moral dilemma.
*To achieve moral autonomy
24. What are the criteria required for a Profession?
o Knowledge
o Organization
oPublic Good
25. Give the general criteria to become a Professional engineer?
Attaining standards of achievement in education, job performance or creativity in
engineering that distinguish engineers from engineering technicians and technologists.
Accepting as part of their professional obligations as least the most basic moral
responsibilities to the public as well as to their employers, clients, colleagues and
subordinates.
.
Part B (16 marks)

1. Briefly discuss honesty as value.

Honesty refers to a facet of moral character and connotes positive and virtuous attributes such as
integrity, truthfulness, and straightforwardness, including straightforwardness of conduct, along
with the absence of lying, cheating, theft, etc. Furthermore, honesty means being trustworthy,
loyal, fair, and sincere.
Honesty is valued in many ethnic and religious cultures. [1][2][3][4][5] "Honesty is the best policy" is a
proverb of Benjamin Franklin; however, the quote "Honesty is the first chapter in the book of
wisdom" is attributed to Thomas Jefferson, as used in a letter to Nathaniel Macon.[6]
Others have noted, however, that much honesty might be seen as undisciplined openness".For
example, individuals may be perceived as being "too honest" if they honestly express negative
opinions of others, either without having been asked their opinion, or having been asked in a
circumstance where the response would be trivial.
Honesty
We keep our promises
We take responsibility

We instil confidence in our employees, customers and other stakeholders

We are clear in all communications so that we generate assurance

Respect
We show consideration for one another
We recognise each others differences
We understand the customers needs and expectations and go out of our way to meet
these

We prevent accidents and see that no-one injures themselves in the workplace

Cooperation
We work as a team to ensure the success of the whole Group
We cooperate to reach our common goals

We focus on the important issues for the business

We choose solutions which are in the best interests of the Group

Openness
We share knowledge and information with each other
We are inquisitive and receptive to ideas
We give and receive constructive feedback
We confront ethical problems immediately
Courage
We dare to go down new roads and challenge accepted wisdom
We place clear demands on one another and promote change
We are active in business

We are eager for innovation in all aspects of our value chain

Any human being should imbibe honesty-honesty in acts, honesty in speech and honesty in
beliefs. Honesty is the fundamental virtue in human relationship even though in may be difficult
to follow some times.

Lying:
Deliberation deception
With holding the information:
Seeking the truth:
Maintaining confidentiality:

2. Write short notes on courage, co-operation.

Courage:
Courage is the tendency to face dangers and difficult jobs in rational ways and with
self control. A person with the quality of courage has the following characteristics. Continues
to run with his job or business even there are certain disturbance. Gets involved with new
popular ideas.
Cooperation (sometimes written as co-operation or coperationis the process of
groups of organisms working or acting together for their common/mutual benefit, as opposed
to working in competition for selfish benefit. Many animal and plant species cooperate both
with other members of their own species and with members of other species (symbiosis or
mutualism).
Courage is the choice and willingness to confront agony, pain, danger, uncertainty or
intimidation. Physical courage is courage in the face of physical pain, hardship, death or
threat of death, while moral courage is the ability to act rightly in the face of popular
opposition, shame, scandal or discouragement.

Theories of courage
Western antiquity and the Middle Ages
Ancient Greece
There is a tradition moving back to Ancient Greek philosophy for counting courage or
fortitude as one of the four cardinal virtues, along with prudence, justice, and temperance.
("Cardinal" in this sense means "pivotal"; it is one of the four cardinal virtues because to possess
any virtue, a person must be able to sustain it in the face of difficulty.)
An early Greek philosopher, Plato (c. 428 BCE c. 348 BCE), set the groundwork for how
courage would be viewed to future philosophers. Platos early writings found in Laches show a
discussion on courage, but fail to come to a satisfactory conclusion on what courage is. During
the debate between three leaders, including Socrates, many definitions of courage are
mentioned.a man willing to remain at his post and to defend himself against the enemy
without running away a sort of endurance of the soul knowledge of the grounds of
fear and hope
While many definitions are given in Platos Laches, all are refuted, giving a reader a
sense of Platos argument style. Laches is an early writing of Platos, which may be a reason he
does not come to a clear conclusion. In this early writing, Plato is still developing his ideas and
shows influence from his teachers like Socrates.
In one of his later writings, The Republic, Plato gives more concrete ideas of what he
believes courage to be. Civic courage is described as a sort of perseverance preservation of
the belief that has been inculcated by the law through education about what things and sorts of
things are to be feared. Ideas of courage being perseverance also are seen in Laches. Plato
further explains this perseverance as being able to persevere through all emotions, like suffering,
pleasure, and fear.
As a desirable quality, courage is discussed broadly in Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics,
where its vice of shortage is cowardice and its vice of excess is recklessness.
Ancient Rome
In the Roman Empire, courage formed part of the universal virtue of virtus. Roman philosopher
and statesman Cicero (10643 BC) lists the cardinal virtues, but does not name them
such:
"Virtue may be defined as a habit of mind (animi) in harmony with reason and the order
of nature. It has four parts: wisdom (prudentiam), justice, courage, temperance." (De Inventione,
II, LIII)
Medieval philosophy
In medieval virtue ethics, championed by Averroes and Thomas Aquinas
and still important to Roman Catholicism, courage is referred to as "Fortitude".

According to Thomas Aquinas, Among the cardinal virtues, prudence ranks first, justice
second, fortitude third, temperance fourth, and after these the other virtues.
Part of his justification for this hierarchy is that
Fortitude without justice is an occasion of injustice; since the stronger a man is the more ready is
he to oppress the weaker.
On fortitude's general and special nature, Aquinas says the term "fortitude" can be taken
in two ways. First, as simply denoting a certain firmness of mind, and in this sense it is a general
virtue, or rather a condition of every virtue, since as the Philosopher states (Ethic. ii), it is

requisite for every virtue to act firmly and immovably. Secondly, fortitude may be taken to
denote firmness only in bearing and withstanding those things wherein it is most difficult to be
firm, namely in certain grave dangers. Therefore Tully says (Rhet. ii), that "fortitude is deliberate
facing of dangers and bearing of toils." On this sense fortitude is reckoned a special virtue,
because it has a special matter.
Aquinas holds fortitude or courage as being primarily about endurance, not attack: As
stated above (Article 3), and according to the Philosopher (Ethic. iii, 9), "fortitude is more
concerned to allay fear, than to moderate daring." For it is more difficult to allay fear than to
moderate daring, since the danger which is the object of daring and fear, tends by its very nature
to check daring, but to increase fear. Now to attack belongs to fortitude in so far as the latter
moderates daring, whereas to endure follows the repression of fear. Therefore the principal act of
fortitude is endurance, that is to stand immovable in the midst of dangers rather than to attack
them.
In some traditions, fortitude holds approximately the same meaning. In the Western
tradition, notable thoughts on courage have come from philosophers such as Aristotle, Aquinas
and Kierkegaard; in the Eastern tradition, some thoughts on courage were offered by the Tao Te
Ching. More recently, courage has been explored by the discipline of psychology.
Language allows humans to cooperate on a very large scale. Certain studies have shown
that fairness affects human cooperation; individuals are willing to punish at their own cost
(altruistic punishment) if they believe that they are being treated unfairly. Sanfey, et al.
conducted an experiment where 19 individuals were scanned using MRI while playing an
Ultimatum Game in the role of the responder. They were receiving offers from other human
partners and from a computer partner. Remarkably, responders refused unfair offers from human
partners at a significantly higher rate than those by a computer partner. The experiment also
showed that altruistic punishment is associated with negative emotions that are being generated
in unfair situations by the anterior insula of the brain
It has been observed that image scoring promotes cooperative behavior in situations
where direct reciprocity is unlikelyIn situations where reputation and status are involved, humans
tend to cooperate more.Discuss with others even when there is a problem. Co-operation: Cooperation means extending help to others, for a good cause. Co-operation may be through an
idea, a suggestion, an assistance or physical work which extends to others for common benefit.
3. What is service learning? Differentiate service learning from civic virtue.
Service learning tells that one has moral responsibility to increase the desirable effects
and to decrease the harmful effects. Any service should increase the desirable result. Good
citizen demand civic virtue.
It is the principle of not harming the surroundings .It also includes living peacefully,
respect for others, protecting the environment and being normally and ethically good.
Service-learning is an educational approach that balances formal instruction and direction with
the opportunity to serve in the community in order to provide a pragmatic, progressive learning
experience. Service-Learning must properly connect the traditional classroom experience with
the real life lessons that come through service.
Proper S-L approaches will provide a series of exercises to allow students to reflect on
their service experiences in order to grow in character, in problem-solving skills, and in an
understanding of civic responsibility. Many colleges and universities now embrace the concept

of Service-Learning as a legitimate and beneficial means to engage students in their learning

experience.
Although Service-Learning approaches may differ greatly from place to place, it should
allow participants the opportunity to effectively learn through the practical experience of serving
the community in one way or another.
Service-learning is an approach to education that incorporates both traditional classroom
learning with direct hands-on experience.
The theology of service, that is what the Bible says about service, is central to a servicelearning approach to education. The theology of service states that Christians have an ethical
obligation to serve others. As a Christ follower, a Christians main responsibility is to mirror
Christ by ministering to those around them. From this philosophy comes the educational method
of service-learning.
Service-learning gives the student the ability to directly apply what they are learning in a
way that makes a difference.
Service-learning offers students immediate opportunities to apply classroom learning to
support or enhance the work of local agencies that often exist to effect positive change in the
community. The National Youth Leadership Council defines service learning as "a philosophy,
pedagogy, and model for community development that is used as an instructional strategy to
meet learning goals and/or content standards."
Service-learning is a form of experiential education in which students engage in
activities that address human and community needs together with structured opportunities for
reflection designed to achieve desired learning outcomes.
4. Distinguish values from ethics and culture.
Ethical value may be regarded as a study under ethics, which, in turn, may be grouped as
philosophy. Similar to that ethics may be regarded as a subfield of philosophy, ethical value may
be regarded as a subgroup of the more broad (and vague) philosophic value. Ethical value
denotes something's degree importance, with the aim of determining what action or life is best to
do, or at least attempt to describe the value of different actions. It may be described as treating
actions themselves as abstract objects, putting value to them. It deals with right conduct and
good life, in the sense that a highly, or at least relatively highly, valuable action or may be
regarded as good, and an action of low, or at least relatively low, value may be regarded as bad.
The study of ethical value is also included in value theory.
1. Values are mainly related to individuals and since they are related to justice, they
remain the some for every one. E.g. truth, honesty, empathy, self respect.
2. Values do not change from individual to individual. Ethics is common to a group of
individuals; the group may be religious or professional. Ethics is mostly based on
some code or law and judgment of any action is based on code of conduct or law.
Ethics change from individual to individual
3. Culture commonly refers to conduct of a group. E.g system of worship , marriage It
may differ from society to society, nation to nation or religion to religion.
5. What does u understand by the term spirituality? Explain in detail.
Spirituality raises a man above the materialistic world into a realm where he seeks peace
and real happiness
Nursing - spirituality

A broad, inclusive definition is: spirituality is that which gives meaning to one's life and
draws one to transcend oneself. Spirituality is a broader concept than religion, although that is
one expression of spirituality. Other expressions include prayer, meditation, interactions with
others or nature, and relationship with God or a higher power.
NeurobehavioralSpirituality
For Beauregard & OLeary, Spirituality means any experience that is thought o bring the
experience into contact with the divine (in other words, not just any experience that feels
meaningful). (2007:59) (while religious experiences are experiences that arise from following
a religious tradition. Mysticism, to B&OL generally means the pursuit of an altered state of
consciousness that enables the mystic to become aware of cosmic realities that cannot be grasped
during normal states of consciousness.
Religious spirituality
This term is defined quite differently by monotheists, polytheists, humanists, followers of
new age, Native Americans, etc. A common meaning is "devotion to metaphysical matters, as
opposed to worldly things." Another is "Activities which renew, lift up, comfort, heal and inspire
both ourselves and those with whom we interact."
... in a narrow sense, concerns itself with matters of the spirit. Spiritual matters are those
involving humankind's ultimate nature not merely as material biological organisms but as beings
with a unique relationship to that which is beyond both time and material existence. As such the
spiritual has traditionally been contrasted with the material, the temporal and the worldly. A
perceived sense of connection forms a central defining characteristic of spirituality connection
to a metaphysical reality greater than oneself, which may include an emotional experience of
religious awe and reverence, or such states as satori or Nirvana.
Equally important, spirituality relates to matters of sanity and of psychological health.
Spirituality is the personal, subjective dimension of religion, particularly that which pertains to
liberation
or
salvation
(see
also
mysticism)
Spirituality may involve perceiving or wishing to perceive life as more important ("higher"),
more complex or more integrated with one's world view; as contrasted with the merely sensual.
Many spiritual traditions, accordingly, share a common spiritual theme: the "path", "work",
practice, or tradition of perceiving and internalizing one's "true" nature and relationship to the
rest of existence (God, creation (the universe), or life), and of becoming free of the lesser egoic
self (or ego) in favor of being more fully one's "true" "Self".
6.Define the terms Values, Morals & Ethics?
Values are rules. Values are the rules by which we make decisions about right and wrong,
should and shouldn't, good and bad. They also tell us which are more or less important, which is
useful when we have to trade off meeting one value over another.
Morals are how we judge others. Morals have a greater social element to values and tend
to have a very broad acceptance. Morals are far more about good and bad than other values. We
thus judge others more strongly on morals than values. A person can be described as immoral,
yet there is no word for them not following values. Morality can be described as a core set of
values and beliefs that act as a guide when formulating courses of action
Ethics are professional standards. Ethics are thus internally defined and adopted, whilst
morals tend to be externally imposed on other people. Ethics is the branch of philosophy
concerned with human values and conduct, moral duty, and obligation. Basically, ethics is
concerned with what people might describe as right and wrong human conduct.

7. Define Human Values?

Human values are the foundation of social order, justice and progress. Human values are
social and ethical norms common to all cultures and societies, as well as religions. They
represent a melding of social progress and spiritual growth.
Timeless Human Values

A Deep Caring For Life

Responsibility

Non-violence

Love & Compassion

Friendliness & Co-operation

Generosity & Sharing

Integrity, Honesty and Sincerity

Moderation Service
0 Commitment & Responsibility

Peace, Contentment, Enthusiasm

Trust

Unity

Humor
8. What is yoga? How it is helpful to the human beings?
Yoga benefits people of all age groups. The benefits range from mental peace, fitness,
health, improved physiological functioning of the body and spiritual evolution. The benefits of
Yoga Asana, Pranayama, Mudra, Shatkarma and Meditation reach all the levels of our being. To
understand this, we need to know more about the different levels of our own individual
existence.
According to the scriptures, we are essentially the eternal Spirit or the Atma. The spirit
manifests in the world by taking a body, not just the gross physical body, but also associated
subtler bodies that constitute our being.
The Upanisads talk of five bodies or sheaths that accompany us when we manifest as an
embodied self or Jiva. Just like a manual of a car will describe all the parts and its functions, the
Upanishads have explored the various levels of manifestation in our being.
These five layers, or sheaths, are called Pancha Kosha. They are as follows Physical
body (called Annamaya Kosha), Pranic Body (Pranamaya kosha), Mental body (manomaya
kosha), Intellectual body (Vigyanamaya kosha) and Bliss Sheath (Anandamaya kosha).
Let us discuss the benefits of yoga at each of the five levels of existence.
Benefits of Yoga at Physical Level
Benefits of yoga on the physical level are well known. Today, millions are taking to the
yogic lifestyle for its health and fitness benefits. Yoga makes your body steady, flexible and
strong. It increases endurance and vitalizes the organs. It gives a feel-good factor and improves
self-confidence. Though not a panacea for everything, it is known to relieve many health

problems, like anxiety, constipation, obesity, hypertension, digestive disorders, hormonal

imbalances, respiratory and cardiac problems, allergies, and reproductive disorders, to name a
few. Various yoga asanas and the Hatha Yoga practices of shad karmas (six practices for
purification of body) were developed for specific health benefits.
Meditative asanas like Padmasana, Siddhasana and Sukasana give steadiness and stability
to the body, so that one can sit for meditation for a prolonged period.
Asanas like Hamsasana and Mayurasana can strengthen the arms and shoulders, improve
digestion, remove constipation and remove toxins from the body.
Backward bending asanas like Makarasana, Bhujangasana, Chakrasana, ArdhaChakrasana, Ushtrasana, Dhanurasana, etc. are good for problems of the back and spine by
strengthening the muscles and increasing flexiblity.
The Hatha yoga practice of Neti gives nasal hygiene, removes sinusitis, and relieves
allergies, headaches and migraines.
Surya namaskara is a set of yogic exercises that vitalize the body, remove lethargy and
depression, and burn calories.
The list is endless as hundreds of Asanas are practiced by yoga enthusiasts for their various
benefits.
Benefits of Yoga at Pranic Level
The Pranamaya kosha or the energy sheath is our vital body. Its responsible for all the
physiological functioning, like digestion, excretion, blood flow, nerve impulses and body
movements. The Science of Pranayama is specially designed for improving our vital energy, or
Prana. Pranayama increases our energy levels, reduces carbon dioxide content in our blood,
enhances self-healing properties of the body and improves lifespan. It can remove imbalances in
all our physiological processes, reduce anxiety and hypertension and correct hormonal
imbalances.
The prana is directly connected to both body and mind, as this sheath is sandwiched
between the Annamaya Kosha (physical body) and the Manomaya kosha (mental body).
Thus, the effects of pranayama are seen on both the body and the mind. When the Prana is
controlled, the mind is automatically controlled. This principle is used by yogis to still the mind.
Pranayama can reduce the fluctuations of the mind (also called Vrittis in Sanskrit). It can
relieve tensions and anxiety; and hence helps as a preparatory practice for meditation.
Benefits of Yoga at Mental Level
Yoga practices done with breath awareness, pranayama and meditation can help to bring
calmness of the mind. They can reduce anxiety and tension. A calm mind is a prerequisite for
meditation and higher practices of Samadhi, which leads to spiritual evolution. Fluctuations of
mind can be removed by Hatha Yoga practices like Trataka (concentration on a point or object)
and pranayama. Yoga helps us to deal with situations in life with awareness, in a steady and calm
manner, without reacting to situations. It helps to create healthy relationships in the society.
Benefits of Yoga at Intellectual Level
Vigyanamaya kosha, or the intellectual sheath, deals with our faculty of discrimination
and decision making abilities. The intellect is subtler than the mind, yet the state of our mind can
affect our decision making. Practice of pranayama and meditation reduce the fluctuations (or
vrittis) of the mind. This results in improved clarity of the mind and better discrimination in
dealing with situations in life.
Many spiritual seekers use the way of knowledge, or Jnana, as their path to realization.
They rely mainly on intellectual understanding of the Self as explained in the scriptures. They

may not do any yogic practices per se, yet there are yogic practices which can help them improve
the quality of their contemplation on the truth. Many of the practitioners of Jnana Yoga use
Pranayama as a means to reduce the menace of the mind. The mind is like a monkey that is
constantly active without our permission. Controlling the prana can slowly bring this monkeymind under control. In that calm state of mind, contemplation of the nature of the Self is possible
without obstruction.
Benefits of Yoga at Bliss-sheath Level
Anandamaya Kosha, or the Bliss sheath, is the innermost part of our being. Bliss is the
essential nature of the soul. In the Scriptures, soul is described as Sat-Chid-Ananda or BeingConsciousness-Bliss. This bliss is experienced during deep sleep. The happiness we get during
our day-to-day activities is only a lower expression of this inner bliss.
It is difficult to talk on how yoga can benefit your bliss sheath. In fact, it cannot. Bliss is
your own inner nature. You dont have to do anything to improve it. But you can certainly
remove the obstacles that prevent experiencing this inner bliss. External experiences and the
turbulences of life can distort and take away this natural bliss. Yoga can reduce these distractions,
give steadiness of mind, prana and body, and give us back our sense of well-being.
In Sanskrit, the word for perfect health is Swasthya, which means established or
centered in ones inner Self. Yoga can definitely help us to get established in this inner bliss,
which is our true pristine nature.