Engineering Ethics

Motivation, Context, Models, and Theories

Ethics and the Law

Following the requirements of the law provides protection from prosecution Since engineering work utilizes new technology before experience and laws can catch up, ethics seeks to go beyond the dictates of current law Ethical behavior provides protection from civil suits, from damage to reputation, or from loss of professional licensure and encompasses ways engineers should conduct themselves in their practice

Ethics and Accreditation 1

TAC outcome i. An engineering technology program must demonstrate that graduates have an ability to understand professional, ethical and social responsibilities EAC outcome f. Engineering programs must demonstrate that their students attain an understanding of professional and ethical responsibility

Ethics and Accreditation 2

CAC outcome e. The program enables students to achieve an understanding of professional, ethical, and social responsibilities ASAC outcome f. Applied science programs must demonstrate that graduates have an understanding of professional and ethical responsibility

Ethics and Registration

To become a registered professional engineer in Indiana, part of the examination may be designed to test the applicant's knowledge and understanding of the ethical, economic, and legal principles relating to the practices of professional engineering. The take-home part III of the principles & practice examination requires a score of 88 and generally covers ethics and Rule 11 Rules of Professional Conduct

Ethics and Technical Societies

Each technical society for the various engineering disciplines requires a member to subscribe to the code of ethics of the society. Each society publishes its own code of ethics which are particularly useful to guide members when the only options are unsatisfactory e.g. ASCE, ASME, IEEE, NSPE, SME, AIChE, SFPE

Ethics Training for Continued Licensure

The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) encourages all state boards of engineering licensure to institute a minimum professional development requirement consisting of at least one (1) hour per year on professional ethics for professional licensure which would be reciprocal with other states. The one hour per year should be based upon the fundamental canons of professional conduct and other appropriate administrative rules or regulations, and designed to demonstrate a working knowledge of professional ethics.
ASCE Policy Statement 376 Approved by the National Engineering Practice Policy Committee on March 8, 2007; Approved by the Policy Review Committee on March 9, 2007; Adopted by the Board of Direction on April 24, 2007

Three Ethical Models

Malpractice, or Minimalist, Model Reasonable-Care, or Due-Care, Model Good Works Model

Malpractice, or Minimalist, Model

This is a minimalist model in which the professional is concerned only with meeting standards and requirements of the profession and any other laws or codes that apply. This model looks to find fault when problems or accidents arise from someone's failure to meet a requirement.

Reasonable-Care, or Due-Care, Model

A model of engineering practice in which the engineer is expected to take reasonable precautions or care in the practice of his profession. The model strives to prevent harm, and it appeals to a "standard of reasonableness as seen by a normal, prudent nonprofessional."

Good Works Model

A model of engineering practice in which engineers go beyond the basics of what is required by standards and codes and do what they "ought" to do to improve product safety, social health or social well-being.

Ethical Theories Based on Philosophical Scholarship

Utilitarianism Duty Ethics Rights Ethics Virtue Ethics
See Fleddermann, Engineering Ethics, pp 33-38

Utilitarianism

John Stuart Mill (1806-1873)

Considers a balance of good & bad consequences for everyone affected (society) Actions are good that serve to promote human well-being Cost-Benefit analysis is an application Consideration of most benefit to the most people outweighs needs of a few individuals

Duty Ethics

Immanuel Kant (1724-1804)

There are duties that should be performed (e.g.. Duty to treat others fairly or not to injure others) regardless of whether these acts do the most good or not.

Rights Ethics

John Locke (1632-1704)

People have fundamental rights (like life, liberty, & property) that others have a duty to respect.

Virtue Ethics
Actions are considered right if they support good character traits (virtues) and wrong if they support bad character traits (vices) Closely tied to personal honor

Codes of Ethics Commonly Hold

Engineers and technologists have a duty to hold the heath and safety of the public as a primary concern. Usually the first cannon of any code. Other duties are summarized in order of importance with most important first e.g. Safety is more important than conflict of interest.

ASME Ethics Code

(11/5/2006)

1. Engineers shall hold paramount the safety, health and welfare of the public in the performance of their professional duties. 2. Engineers shall perform services only in the areas of their competence; they shall build their professional reputation on the merit of their services and shall not compete unfairly with others. 3. Engineers shall continue their professional development throughout their careers and shall provide opportunities for the professional and ethical development of those engineers under their supervision.

ASME Ethics Code

4. Engineers shall act in professional matters for each employer or client as faithful agents or trustees, and shall avoid conflicts of interest or the appearance of conflicts of interest. 5. Engineers shall respect the proprietary information and intellectual property rights of others, including charitable organizations and professional societies in the engineering field. 6. Engineers shall associate only with reputable persons or organizations. 7. Engineers shall issue public statements only in an objective and truthful manner and shall avoid any conduct which brings discredit upon the profession.

8. Engineers shall consider environmental impact and sustainable development in the performance of their professional duties. 9. Engineers shall not seek ethical sanction against another engineer unless there is a good reason to do so under the relevant codes, policies and procedures governing that engineers ethical conduct. 10. Engineers who are members of the Society shall endeavor to abide by the Constitution, ByLaws and Policies of the Society, and they shall disclose knowledge of any matter involving another members alleged violation of this Code of Ethics or the Societys Conflicts of Interest Policy in a prompt, Complete and truthful manner to the chair of the Committee on Ethical Standards and Review.

References
Fleddermann, Charles B, Engineering Ethics, 2nd Ed., 2004, Pearson Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, NJ, Chapter 3. ASME PPC, Ethics, referenced from: http://www.professionalpractice.asme.org/t ransition/ethics/index.htm NSPE Code (detailed) referenced from: http://www.nspe.org/ethics/eh1-code.asp, True-False quiz referenced from: http://www.nspe.org/ethics/eh1-test.asp