BMM1711 Introduction to

Engineering
Ethics
Ts. Dr. Mohd Razali Hanipah, CEng MIMechE (UK)
mohdrazali@ump.edu.my

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 TOPICS

Course Content Outline CO*

1. Everyday Engineering CO1, CO2, CO3
2. Ethics CO1, CO2, CO3
3. Design & Teamwork CO1, CO2, CO3
4. Presentations & Technical Writing CO1, CO2, CO3
5. Estimation CO1, CO2, CO3
6. Solving Problems CO1, CO2, CO3

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 Ethics

• Algorithms for ethical decision-making do

not really exist.
• HOWEVER: There are procedures that can
help guide us in determining the most
ethical course of action.

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 Ethical decision-making
procedure

1. Identify issues and stakeholders

2. Analyze options from different perspectives

3. Justify your choice by comparing results of the

analyses

4. Carry through with your decision

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 Example CH 2, Ex 1
You have completed about half of a homework
assignment, but have run out of time to finish it.

Your roommate, who has the same assignment,

has gone to another class and has left his/her
completed homework on the desk.

Is it ethical to copy your roommate’s homework,

changing enough of the text, variable names, etc.
so that it appears to be your own work?
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 Example CH 2, Ex 1

• 1. Identify issues and stakeholders

• What are the issues?
• Who and what is affected? (May be
individuals, groups, natural systems, etc.)

• Note that we are NOT asking HOW anyone

is affected, only what the issues are and
who might be affected.
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 Example CH 2, Ex 1

• 2. Analyze options from different

perspectives
• Consequences
• Intent
• Character

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 Example CH 2, Ex 1

• Consequences Perspective
• Assumption: Ethical value of individuals is equal.

• Question: Does an action increase or decrease the

happiness of the affected individuals?

• Right Action = Greatest good for the most people.

• How do we decide?

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 Example CH 2, Ex 1

• Consequences Perspective
• Identify consequences of alternatives to
different stakeholders.
• Evaluate consequences: how much good,
how much cost
• Which produces the most good with the
least cost in the long term?
– Note that this may require a subjective
judgment of the relative “weights” of the
various consequences
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 Example CH 2, Ex 1

• Consequences Perspective
• Example: Copying your roommate’s
homework
– What are the consequences to the various
stakeholders?
– Evaluate consequences: how much good, how
much cost
– Which produces the most good with the least
cost in the long term?
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 Example CH 2, Ex 1

• Intention Perspective
• Can a wrong action have good
consequences?
• Can a right action have bad consequences?
• Intent is the focus of this perspective.
– Do you wish everyone to act this way? Is this a
good rule to apply to everyone?
– Would you like to be on the receiving end?
Who are the victims?
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 Example CH 2, Ex 1

• Intention Perspective
• Example: Copying your roommate’s
homework
– Do you think everyone should act this way?
– Who are the victims? Would you like to be one
of the victims?

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 Example CH 2, Ex 1

• Character Perspective
• What sort of person do you aspire to be?
• Do you admire people who take this
action?
• No rules, no algorithm
– Focus is on responsibility, not duty.
– Strive to be a person of admirable character.
– How will this action affect your character?
– What would an admired person do?
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 Example CH 2, Ex 1

• Character Perspective
• Example: Copying your roommate’s
homework
– Do you admire people who do this?
– Is this responsible?
– How does this affect your character?
– What would Prophet Mohammed, or Jesus or
Buddha or (insert admired person of your
choice here) do?
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 Example CH 2, Ex 1

• 3. Convergence of Perspectives
• Do the results of considering the three
perspectives agree?
– YES: High confidence in the decision
– NO:
• Did you overlook any factors?
• Is the weighting of the factors appropriate?
• If still no convergence, 2 out of 3 wins.
• How about the issue of copying the
homework?
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 Example CH 2, Ex 1

• 4. Act on your decision

• Proper action often requires courage.

• Do YOU have the courage to do what you

know is right?

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 Ethical decision-making
procedure

1. What are the issues, who are the

stakeholders?

2. What is at stake for whom?

• Consider consequences, intention, and character.

3. Convergence of perspectives?

4. Courage is often required to act ethically.

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 Example CH 2, Ex 2
With your team, consider the question:
Is it ethical to violate the speed limit (not including
emergency scenarios).
• What are the issues, who are the stakeholders?
• What is at stake for whom?
– Consider consequences, rights, and character
perspectives.

• Do you have convergence?

• Results?
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 Engineering Creed
As a Professional Engineer, I dedicate my professional
knowledge and skill to the advancement and betterment of
human welfare. I pledge:
– To give the utmost of performance;
– To participate in none but honest enterprise;
– To live and work according to the laws of man and the
highest standards of professional conduct;
– To place service before profit, the honor and standing of the
profession before personal advantage, and the public
welfare above all other considerations.
In humility and with need for Divine Guidance, I make this
pledge.
Adopted by National Society of Professional Engineers, June 1954
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