Ethics Reflection Cody Juracek

Ethics Reflection

Essentially, ethics are an unspoken guideline of how a person with one another by showing
courtesy, dignity, and respect; businesses are no exception. A code of ethics helps prevent
businesses from committing fraud, prevents conflicts of interest, prevents injury to their
employees and clients, and allows constructive feedback (or as I call it ‘learning opportunities’).
Without ethics, society would (frankly) not exist, not in the way we know. Of course, there are
times when the code of ethics is disregarded, and during such times those individuals must be
reminded of these ethics.

Years ago I sat on the Executive Board of the League of Women Voters - whose mission is to
educate citizens with unbiased ideals - and I had attended a celebratory event that was supposed
to promote gender equality with unbiased affiliations. Mind you, the League were only guests at
this event and not the hosts. Initially, I loved every minute of the event and learned way more
about Women’s Suffrage than I had could have during secondary schooling. Then for the rest of
the event, the following speakers spouted out partisan ideals, which went against the very
foundation of the League. The next thing I knew, the entire event’s real intentions were to serve
as political campaign speeches for a single party. I stayed during the entire event and felt
responsible to inform the board at the next meeting. I conducted the conversation, allowed
everyone to speak before me, and expressed how much I learned during the first bit. Following
that, however, I informed the kind of language that was used from the second bit and onwards,
how the League had no business being associated with a political rally. Such honesty opened a
healthy discussion, realigned the League’s ethical fidelity towards education, and restored the
League’s integrity.

In my EE 394 class, we discussed Grimshaw vs. Ford Motor Company of 1981 where Ford
mass-produced a cheap untested automobile design which resulted as being a death trap when
experiencing collisions. During the model’s initial tests, it was apparent there were major design
flaws. However, Ford chose to ignore these findings and proceeded with its manufacture and
mass distribution without informing the public. Inevitably, it became the company’s vice
president’s fault for allowing the model’s distribution as numerous reportings were describing its
faulty design.

As an engineering student, I learned about IEEE; how a product cannot cause harm, and how not
to steal another person’s work. But as I reflect throughout my time at Iowa State, my
understanding of ethics has changed dramatically. My explanation of ethics as an engineer is
understanding the capabilities of the product and knowing how it may affect the targeted
consumer, their community, and its surrounding environment. Should any three be negatively
impacted, then the engineering practice in question will be deemed unethical. This also includes,

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Ethics Reflection Cody Juracek

but is not limited to, knowing the difference between innovation and copyright infringement. My
engineering practices force me to consider how I might improve an already existing problem and
ask key questions. Who is my target consumer? How will they use the product? How will others
use it? Can it be used for alternative means? How does the product cause harm? Who is being
harmed? What are some preventive measures? These questions, along with many others, allow
me to design and manufacture safe and ethical products, as well as keeping my moral compass
pure and steadfast.

To end on a final note, throughout this essay, I have described the importance of following and
maintaining a code of ethics is essential based on the six Virtue of Ethics. Those who do not
practice charity, honesty, and responsibility will diminish the engineer’s integrity and fidelity set
by the employing company and its consumers. However, the final sixth virtue self-discipline
speaks to me on a deeper level than the other five. It suggests professionalism with coworkers,
employers, employees, and the targetted clientele is crucial. Never show bias. Fixate on all
aspects. More particularly, act reasonably and with restraint. Feel free to voice your comments
and concerns, but allow opposing viewpoints to weigh in, as it might lead towards a better
outcome for all parties involved.