Engineering Ethics

Micro & Macro Issues

Micro issues that concern the decisions made by individuals and companies in pursuing their projects Macro issues that concern more global issues, such as the directions in technological development, the laws, and the collective responsibilities of groups such as the professional societies and consumer groups.

Potential Moral Problems

Lack of vision Incompetence Lack of time/lack of proper materials Silo mentality Notion that others will catch potential problems Improper use or disposal of the product Dishonesty Inattention

Engg. Ethics: definition

1. Ethics = morality = refers to the moral values that are sound or reasonable, actions or policies that are morally required (right), morally permissible (all right), morally desirable (good) Engineering ethics consists of responsibilities and rights that ought to be endorsed by those engaged in engineering, and also of desirable ideals and personal commitments in engineering

2. Ethics

= activity of studying morality = an inquiry = actions, goals, principles, policies and laws that are morally justified.

Engineering Ethics is the study of the decisions, policies, and values that are morally desirable in engineering practice and research.

Why study Engineering Ethics

Important
Contributing to safe and useful technological products Giving meaning to Engineers endeavor

Complex
Serious reflection throughout a career, beginning with earning a degree

Specific Aims
To increase our ability to deal effectively with moral complexity in engineering. To increase moral autonomy Improving the ability to reflect carefully on moral issues - by improving various parctical skills that will help produce autonomous thought about moral issues.

Skills
Moral Awareness. Proficiency in recognizing moral problems and issues in engineering Cogent moral reasoning. Comprehending, clarifying, and assessing arguments Moral coherence. Forming consistent and comprehensive viewpoints based on consideration of relevant facts Moral imagination. Discerning alternative responses tomoral issues and finding creative solutions for practical difficulties.

 Moral communication. Precision in the use of common ethical language Moral reasonableness. The willingness and ability to be morally reasonable. Respect for persons. Genuine concern for the well-being of others as well as oneself Tolerance of diversity. Respect for ethnic and religious differences and acceptance of reasonable difference in moral respectives

 Moral hope. Enriched appreciation of the possibilities of using rational dialogue in resolving moral conflicts. Integrity. Maintaining moral integrity and integrating ones professional life and personal convictions.

Responsibility:definition
Obligations. Responsibilties are obligations Accountable. Having the capacity to understand and act on moral reasons. It also means being answerable for meeting particular obligations Conscientious, integrity. Accept obligations and are conscientious in meeting them. Blameworthy/Praiseworthy.

Engineering as a Profession
Advanced Expertise. Skills and theoretical knowledge Self-Regulation. Autonomy of profession. Well established societies of professionals set standards of admission to the profession, drafting code of ethics, enforcing standards of conduct, and representing the professionbefore the public and the government.

 Public Good. The occupation serves some important public good, and it does so by making a concerted effort to maintain high ethical standards throughout the profession. The aims and guideleines in serving the public good and detailed in professional code of ethics. Elitist