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Technological Institute of the Philippines Chemical Engineering Department Joshua Peter E.

Cadoy 5th Year BS Chemical Engineering CHEP582 Laws and Ethics for Chemical Engineers

Engineering Ethics
Engineering ethics is professional ethics, as opposed to personal morality. It sets the standards for professional practice, and is only learned in a professional school or in professional practice. It is an essential part of professional education because it helps students deal with issues they will face in professional practice. It is the study of related questions about moral conduct, character, ideals, and relationships of people and organizations involved in technological development. It is usually the response to specific problems that prods us to make the world better. Engineering Ethics is the study of moral issues and decisions confronting individuals and organizations engaged in engineering. It is the study of the decisions, policies, and values that are morally desirable in engineering practice and research.

Why study Engineering Ethics


We need to study Engineering ethics to understand the standards governing what is acceptable behavior in the practice of engineering. Below are some additional detailed reasons why study Engineering Ethics: 1. to review and understand the responsibilities that the engineer accepts when practicing the profession; 2. to provide an opportunity to explore various ethical aspects of the profession; 3. to become comfortable and confident in using professional value systems and codes, and; 4. to practice effective expression of ethical concepts in engineering practice.

Scope of Engineering Ethics


The scope of engineering ethics is wider than the ethics of engineers. Because, engineering ethics include decisions made by the others engaged in the technological enterprise, including scientists, managers, production workers, and their supervisors, technicians, technical writers, governmental officials, lawyers, and the general public. Below are some scopes in Engineering Ethics: Engineering Ethics are Social Experiments Engineering Ethics are social experiments that generate both new responsibilities for creating benefits preventing harm and pointing out dangers. Moral Values Moral Values pervade all aspect of technological development, and hence ethics and excellence in engineering go together.

Micro & Macro Issues Micro Issues concern the decisions made by individuals and companies, while Macro Issues concern more about global issues. Both Micro & Macro Issues are important in Engineering ethics and often they are come together. Technological development Technological development warrants cautious optimism-optimism with cautions. Promoting responsible conduct Promoting responsible conduct includes promulgating and obeying the right laws and preventing wrong doing. Ethical Dilemmas Ethical dilemmas are problems that may occur in engineering, as elsewhere, because moral values are myriad and can conflict The Engineers Responsibility for Safety Safety consideration must be included in design from the start. It is an engineers duty to protect the safety and well being of the public.

Point of studying Engineering Ethics


It increases the ability of engineers, managers, citizens and others to confront the urgent moral questions raised by technological activity: The aim is to empower individuals to reason more effectively concerning moral questions The aim should be to strengthen moral autonomy An ability to design a system, component, or process to meet desired needs An ability to function on multi-disciplinary teams An ability to identify, formulate and solve engineering ethical problems An understanding of professional and ethical responsibility An ability to communicate effectively with personnel of other related disciplines The broad education necessary to understand the impact of engineering solutions in a global and societal context A knowledge of contemporary issues

What can be gained in taking it?


By studying engineering ethics the students improve the ff: Moral Awareness Cogent Moral Reasoning Moral Coherence Moral Imagination Moral Communication Moral Reasonableness Respect for Persons Moral Hope Integrity

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