Professional Ethics

( Engineering )
EG 2502
Trust

Integrity Week-5

Virtues Values
Edmodo.com
Class code: ve9vei

Trust = Integrity + Values + Virtues

Values + Virtues = Integrity

 Topics Schedule (guide)
The module covers the following topics:
•W1-2 intr Aug General Introduction
•W2-3 Aug Basic Concepts of Ethics, Values, Virtues and Trust
•W3-5 Aug Theoretical Ethical Framework W4 issue assign#1 23/8

•W4-5 Sept Duty of Care and Obligations of (Engineering) Professionals

- Public Safety, Health and Welfare
- Sustainability and Environmental Ethics
• W5-6 Sept Ethics and Law
- Code of Ethics For (Engineering) Professionals W7 issue assign #2 13/9
- Prevention of Corruption Legislation W7* coursework #1 due 15Sept

• W7-8 Sept/Oct Common Ethical Issues and Concerns Sept16-23 semester break
• W8-9 Oct Ethical Dilemmas and Moral Reasoning
• W10-11 Oct Ethics and Compliance W12* coursework #2 due 20Oct
- Creating Ethical Excellence
- Employee Code of Conduct
- Compliance Program
- Ethics Audit

• W12 Oct Ethical Leadership

• W13/14 Nov Corporate Social Responsibility
• W15 Nov Revision Week
• W16 Examination (good luck) 19 Nov – 1 Dec
 Program structure ( lecture 2hrs duration ) typical for guide

Item Duration Activity who Remark

1 1-3m Roll Call / Safety Reminder Volunteer
suraah AlFatihah
2 5min Review action list
- previous week summary/ action
(max - agree outstanding issues
10min) - new urgent/emerging issues
3 2 min Today’s Learning Objective AAP
4 35 min Todays lesson/Engagement AAP Literature
5 15 min short break
6 35 min continue today’s lesson. AAP Case study
7 10 min Verify wk’s Learning Objective done Volunteer
- summary
8 3min Agree action list Volunteer
- close

For tutorial ., 60 min allocated..

RECAP last week

What have we learnt in week 3-5 ?

Ethics Foundation – Trust , Integrity , values and virtues

Elements of Ethical dilemma

- Values conflict

6 Types of Ethical dilemma

 Ethics Foundation: Trust , Integrity , Values and Virtues

Trust = Integrity + Values + Virtues

Values + Virtues = Integrity
Trust

Virtues = character traits that motivate desirable action

Integrity
Integrity
Values = characteristics or standard that are considered
meritorious, important or desirable

Virtues
Virtues Values

•Integrity : A person has integrity when s/he can follow the guidelines or codes s/he is
supposed to follow under the stresses and loads of his/her role

Trust = Confidence in the honesty or integrity of a person or thing.

 Elements of Ethical Dilemmas

Ethical Dilemma : A value conflict in which one or more of the alternatives involve moral
and/or professional wrongdoing

Value Conflict : A situation where alternative solution to a dilemma are primary value
based, with the values in opposition to each other

Conflicting Values
values
values Personal interest vs Community
(pleasure ,own gain vs fairness , share)
 Elements of Ethical Dilemmas

All value conflicts have common characteristics

values
values Primary step to analyse ethical dilemmas is to assess
role that such characteristics plays

Type 1 associated with tangible factors whose values can be identified and measurable .

Type 2 have multiple value responsibilities . Places excessive weight on one at expense of
another

Type 3 pressure to act unethically – either self imposed , external or within by client or
employer. perceived pressure to compete or comply in order to succeed

Type 4 rationalises to justify committing act to avoid feeling of guilt.

Type 5 start out as an inconsequential act and taken place over extended period and difficult
to recall details of events or trends in misconduct.
Type 6 too complex and inappropriate timely proper response lead to actions
that complicate the dilemma.
 Values Relevant to Unethical Conduct

3 primary values that motivate violators to do unethical acts

• refer to ego boast and favourable attention

Pleasure • Material benefits inc money
• Enhance position or stature
Security • Elevated position or power
• Perceived saving of resources of selfish route
Efficiency • Expectation saving of time

3 primary values that violators reject to do unethical acts

• Being truthful
Honesty • In compliance with expectation
• Not duly self interest
Fairness • Being objectivity
• true assessment of situation /competition
Knowledge • Facts of the condition
Values Relevant to Unethical Conduct

Values Motivate
• Pleasure
• Security
• Efficiency

Values Rejected
• Honesty
• Fairness
• Knowledge
 Intended Learning Outcome ( ILO lecture #5)

1. Introduce some of the Theory of Ethics.

2. Discuss Theoretical Ethical Framework and types of approaches

3. Tutorial: Group case study: Identify types of approaches in ethical dilemma

 Ethics and Ethical Theories
There are generally 3 categories of Ethics:

Meta Ethics • study of origin of ethical concepts

• Principles to guide/regulate behaviour .

Normative Ethics • Norms or set of Standards
• Study of specific issues or problems by applying Meta-
Applied Ethics Ethics and Normative Ethics . Issues of social , political
or moral aspects

Ethics and ethical reasoning guide decision-making.

Ethical Decision Making process

Ethical Ethical Ethical

Awareness Judgement Behaviour
 Ethics and Ethical Theories

Many ethical theories exist . Each proposes different approaches .

while approaches differ significantly, however all moral or ethical theories provide us :

❖ the source of moral values or standards (reasons why we should be moral)

❖ a framework or strategy for ranking moral norms when confronted an ethical dilemma.

Ethical principles + ethical frameworks → support and guidance for ethical decision making
by enabling the important aspects of the situation to be highlighted and evaluated.

Ethical Principles + Ethical Framework = Ethical Decision making

Theoretical Framework

A theoretical framework is a model that explains (with a theory) the relationship among
specific concepts or variables that are identified as important (to ethics).

- A Theoretical Ethical Framework provides a system of rules or principles as a guide in

making decisions

- about what is right/wrong and good/bad in a specific situation

- acts as a basis for understanding what it means to be a morally decent human being

- enables the important aspects of the situation to be highlighted and evaluated.

When required to demonstrate an ethical behaviour , especially when facing an

ethical dilemma (i.e. situation that puts two or more “right” values in conflict), we
should use multiple approaches to think carefully about the issues and avoid
falling into a solution by accident (or making snap decision)

Ethics rely on logical and rational criteria to reach a decision, i.e. a cognitive *process
(* Mental process of acquiring knowledge through aspects such as awareness, perception, reasoning, and
judgment)
Theoretical Ethical Framework

Rights
6 types of Approaches
Right
Vitrues Duty
Duty Utilitarian
( moral )
Autonomy
Consent
Theoretical
Ethical Virtues
Framework

Consent Utilitarian

Autonomy
 Basis and Principles of Different Ethical Approaches

1) Duty Approach:
Rights
❖ Duty driven
Vitrues
❖ Places value on the intentions of the Duty
Duty
( moral )
individual rather than consequence
of any action Theoretical
Ethical
❖ Focuses on duties, rules and Framework

obligations
Consent Utilitarian
❖ Assumes that acting because of
duty = acting ethically
❖ Part of Deontology** ethics theory Autonomy
– justify action when at least some
acts are morally obligatory
regardless of their consequences Check list when applying this theory:

Have I adhered to my duties, regulations, codes of

(**Deontology = Study or science of duty. It ethics when taking my action?
requires absolute adherence to the duties, rules
and obligations)
 Basis and Principles of Different Ethical Approaches

2) Rights Approach Rights

Rights

Derived from the principle that people Vitrues

( moral )
Duty
have their rights to choose freely what
they will do with their lives and they have Theoretical
Ethical
a fundamental moral right to have these Framework

choices respected.
Consent Utilitarian
Examples of Types of Rights:
The right to the truth. Autonomy
The right of privacy
The right not to be injured
The right to what is agreed/promised
Check list when applying this theory:

Have I observed the rights of others

(individuals/society) when I take my action?
 Basis and Principles of Different Ethical Approaches

3) Utilitarianism
Rights

❖ - Evaluates the morality of an act

Vitrues
through its consequences ( moral )
Duty
❖ Ethical action is one which brings Theoretical
Ethical
Framework
the greatest benefit/well-being to
the greatest number of people
Consent Utilitarian
Utilitarianism
❖ One drawback- acting on this
theory may deprive others of Autonomy

justice

Check list when applying this theory:

- Who will be affected by each action?

- What benefits or harms will be derived from each
action?
-Have I chosen the action that will produce the greatest
benefits and the least harm?
 Basis and Principles of Different Ethical Approaches

4). Autonomy
Theory : Rights
❖ states that normal adults are capable of being fully self-
governing in moral matters. Vitrues
( moral )
Duty
❖ upholds the right of the individual to make their own
decisions (We are all ‘autonomous.’) Theoretical
Ethical
Framework

Autonomy involves two components.

a) No authority external to ourselves is needed to Consent Utilitarian
constitute or inform us of the demands of morality.
(We can each know without being told what we ought to
do because moral requirements are requirements we Autonomy
Autonomy
impose on ourselves)

b) In self-governing we can effectively control ourselves

Check list when applying this theory:

Have I taken on board interests of society at large

(and put aside my self-interests)?
 Basis and Principles of Different Ethical Approaches

5) Consent Approach
Rights
❖ A basic component of the ethics of
human relations, making permissible a Vitrues
wide range of conduct that would ( moral )
Duty
otherwise be wrongful. Theoretical
Ethical
Framework

❖ In engineering, e.g. marks the

difference between participation in Consent
Consent Utilitarian
research and being a human guinea pig
Autonomy
❖ Provision in many laws

Check list when applying this theory

Have I obtained the consent of all stakeholders

for my action?
 Basis and Principles of Different Ethical Approaches
6) Virtues Approach

❖ Emphasises the moral character or virtues Rights

of the individual (e.g honesty, courage,
compassion, generosity, fidelity, integrity, Virtues
Vitrues
fairness, self-control, prudence etc) ( moral )
Duty
(moral)
❖ Is about an individual of good character Theoretical
Ethical
Framework
doing the right thing.

❖ Virtues are like habits; that is, once Consent Utilitarian

acquired, they become characteristic of a
person.
Autonomy

❖ A person who has developed virtues will

be naturally inclined to act in ways
consistent with moral principles
Check list when applying this theory:
❖ Assumes that the virtuous person is the What kind of person should I be?
ethical person What will promote the development of
character within myself and my community?“
Tutorial #5 – In Group
 Tutorial wk#5:

values
values
Elements of Ethical Dilemmas

Question:

what are the various types of Ethical dilemmas.

Explain with an example for each type citing the key values in conflict.
Tutorial wk#5 Which one of the six approaches under the theoretical Ethical Framework
is most appropriate to handle this case?

1) When choosing a design for a new industrial plant which :

- is to be built close to a residential area

-must meet the specifications for (least) cost of building it , the (least) energy to run it,
the (least) manpower to operate it.

What if:

- The chosen design is identical to the one that has incurred a major accident elsewhere in
the world?
-The unemployment rate in the country the plant is to be built is high?
-Least building cost means importing prefab materials for assembly instead of local
fabrication?
- Least building cost means less energy efficient depleting the scarce fuel resources in the
country faster?
Tutorial support
 Tutorial wk#5: Elements of Ethical Dilemmas (1/2)
values
values Question: what are the various types of Ethical dilemmas.
Explain with an example for each type citing the key values
in conflict.
Solution for discussion

Type 1 associated with tangible factors whose values can be identified and measurable .
Values in conflict: creating wealth for self vs fair value for work (economy vs fair)
e.g charging high price for consultation fee for standard off-the-shelf advise/design

Type 2 have multiple value responsibilities. Places excessive weight on one at expense of
another. Values in conflict: loyalty to profession vs fair to client vs comply employer
directive. Example: client wants cheap(er) product by reducing test trials ., which does
not fully comply with code (professional) though safe , whilst employer wants you
spend more time on work to enable claim more revenues.

Type 3 pressure to act unethically – either self imposed , external or within by client or
employer. perceived pressure to compete or comply in order to succeed
Values in conflict: personal integrity v economy (wealth).
Example: You ve been instructed by your employer to offer kick-back in order for
company to be awarded a contract ., and you were promised a promotion if
successful. You did it to get promotion.
 Elements of Ethical Dilemmas (2/2)
values Question: what are the various types of Ethical dilemmas.
values Explain with an example for each type citing the key values
in conflict.
Solution for discussion

Type 4 rationalises to justify committing act to avoid feeling of guilt.

Values in conflict: rule violation vs tolerance
Example: since every body seems be parking their cars even in non-parking area
without impunity ., you also park indiscriminately
Type 5 start out as an inconsequential act and taken place over extended period and
difficult to recall details of events or trends in misconduct.
Values in conflict: Self convenience vs rule compliance. Example: In view of on-going
construction work impacting numbers of parking slots been closed off., the
University tolerated indiscriminate parking. However practice continues post
construction

Type 6 too complex and inappropriate timely proper response lead to actions
that complicate the dilemma. Values in conflict: convenience vs safety
Examples: there are many retail shops and small car workshops operating in
residential areas instead of the designated commercial/industrial areas. Numbers are
growing
 Tutorial wk5: Theoretical Ethical Framework Solution
– case study For
discussion
Building new Industrial area
New Industrial Area → wealth creation for nation
Premise spur growth during and post construction
create new jobs opportunities
supports new business
Ethical Approaches -> Duty to create wealth for nation , spur growth
-> Utilitarianism : benefits the mass at expense of individual/small group
-> Right : site . Right to choose cost effective site with minimum manning level
-> Autonomy : right to decide (least cost building, energy efficient, operational
→ Consent : obtain no objection ( building close to residential area)

What if: (ethical dilemma – values conflict)

Applicable approaches
Chosen design - concern of potential repeat major incident Right
Minimum manning vs reducing unemployment Duty
Least cost building is imported prefab construction vs local content Utilitarian❌
Least building cost = least energy efficient v energy saving building Autonomy❓
Consent❌
Thus justify the decision based on ”Right” and “Duty” approaches. Virtues ❌
Way Forward – discuss the possible alternatives…
5A. You are an intern at a Water Bottling Company. You found out that , due to an equipment
undergoing repair , in order to meet daily production target ,the operation supervisor
continues bottling bypassing treatment process using that equipment. You don’t know how
critical is the bypassed process. You enquired about the bypassed process from colleagues
and did not find satisfactory answer . You “google” the problem which recommends sample
test to be done. You are aware that water production are being randomly tested . You enjoy
working here and was promised employment here upon graduation. You know bonus of
your colleagues are dependent on them meeting operational targets.

Which of the Six Different Approaches For Theoretical Ethical Framework would you use to
arrive at your ethical decision?

Give your analysis of the ethical issues and concerns that could arise from them?

6A. You and your course mate was doing a project for a company and granted access to
company’s operation. In your review you and your course mate discovered that the
Company had been discharging used oil into the common drain. You want to investigate
further but your course mate said this is outside the scope of your project ., and he propose
be silent on it.
Which of the Six Different Approaches For Theoretical Ethical Framework would you use to
arrive at your ethical decision?

Give your analysis of the ethical issues and concerns that could arise from them?
 Case Study
The chemical plant has been buying subsidised electricity from the national grid, since its initial start up
10 years ago. One of the nationally owned power plants is situated close to the chemical plant.
Even at non subsidised price, the plant would still operate profitably. A large capital budget
has recently been approved by the shareholders, among others, to improve the cost effectiveness of its
operations. As a senior engineer, you are aware of an opportunity to recycle flue gases from
gas turbines in the power plant to generate steam and hence power for the chemical plant’s use
and reduce its reliance on the national grid.
Recycling these flue gases would therefore not only help conserve natural gas resources
and prolong their exhaustion to benefit future generations but would also reduce the CO2 emitted into
the atmosphere and its effect on global warming.

A project to realise that opportunity would only require a small portion of the approved budget.
It is hugely economical when benchmarked against true cost of electricity but would take a long time to pay
back when compared to subsidised electricity price.

You are in a dilemma, to raise or let go of the opportunity to do some long term good to the environment.

In groups:
- Which of the Six Different Approaches For Theoretical Ethical Framework would you use to arrive at
your ethical decision?
- Give your analysis of the ethical issues and concerns that could arise from them?