INTRODUCTION TO

GENERAL ETHICS
AND ETHICAL
VALUES
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PILOR, IRISH CLAIRE

SABIYAN, JOMALYN
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GAYYED, SHERLY

BSCE 3B
 Introduction
Engineers must perform under a standard of professional behavior that
requires adherence to the highest principles of ethical conduct. Ethics is a
Greek origin word and described as related to moral. The guiding ethical
principles of behavior in working life are called occupational ethics. Based on
studies; civil engineers who have either less than 5 years or more than 5 years
work experience have the perception of ethics only as a concept; when they
judge an action ethically, similarly most of them usually make consistent
analyses only by the moral judgment; when they face ethically deemed an
inappropriate business, mainly they are trying to convince their manager
otherwise instead of doing that job. Ethics and ethical reasoning
is vitally important in engineering.
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 INTERACTION RULES OF BEHAVIOR

1. Engineers rarely work as lone individuals, we generally

work in teams.
“No man is an Island.”
2. Therefore, we need a set of interaction rules outlining
the expected sets of
behavior between the engineer, other individuals and
society as a whole.
3. Interaction rules can be classified as etiquette, law,
morals and ethics.
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 BASIC DEFINITION OF TERMS

Etiquette – rule of acceptable personal behavior

and courtesy when interacting with others in a
social setting. Addresses such issues as how
many forks to place in the dinner table, proper
dress at wedding, seating arrangements and
invitation to parties. In engineering proper
etiquette is manifested by showing proper
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respect to employers and clients, not

embarrassing colleagues, answering the phone
in a professional manner and so forth.
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 Laws- a system of rules and punishments
clearly defined and established by a society to
maintain a safe and orderly social environment,
violation of law carry penalties such as
imprisonment, fines, community service, death,
dismemberment or banishment. Each society
has its own consequences for law violations.
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 Morals – personal rules of right and wrong
behavior derived from person’s upbringing,
religious beliefs and societal influences.
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 Ethics - is a branch of philosophy that deals with
questions about what is morally right and wrong,
good and bad, and how individuals and societies
ought to behave. General ethics, also known as
normative ethics, focuses on establishing principles
or norms that guide moral conduct. Ethical values
are the principles or beliefs that individuals or
societies consider important in determining what is
morally right or wrong.
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 SOCIAL
RESPONSIBILITIES of
the Engineering
Profession
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 1. Human safety

Public trust in engineering requires that the

profession considers its impacts on human safety. There is
widespread consensus in the codes of ethics of engineering
professional societies worldwide that engineering has a primary
duty to protect public safety, health, and welfare. Health is
generally characterized as being able to function physically without
pain, and may also include mental soundness. Safety is
associated being protected from physical injuries or death, again
considering risks.
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 2. Environment and Sustainability
Engineering codes of ethics include environmental protection
among professional social responsibilities. Considering the potential
environmental impact of technology. One may simply understand that
preservation of the environment is ultimately self-preservation for human
life. “Use of knowledge and skills for the benefit of the community to
create engineering solutions for a sustainable future,” and “promote
sustainability” is one of the four key statements of ethical practice. In
general, sustainability includes considerations of both current conditions
and future generations, crossing environmental, societal, and economic
elements.
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 3. Pro bono

The idea of pro bono work is that professionals

should donate some of their technical expertise to individuals
or organizations unable to pay for those services. This can
be provide services for free or at a reduced rate. We
encourage engineering students as individuals to provide
services to charitable causes and in emergency situations;
however, its real purpose appears directed at liability issues
and indemnification.
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 4. Diversity

A primary issue is the persistent lack of diversity within

the engineering workforce which is predominated by men and
generally lacks racial/ethnic diversity. Other “non-visible”
diversity issues relate to socio-economic status (low income
individuals under-represented), cognitive and personality
types, etc. Another important issue with respect to diversity is
the extent to which the profession fairly compensates workers,
without regard to gender, race/ethnicity, etc
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 There are various theories
and approaches within
general ethics
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 1. Consequentialism

This ethical theory evaluates the

morality of actions based on their
outcomes or consequences.
Utilitarianism, for example, is a
consequentialist theory that suggests
that the right action is the one that
produces the greatest overall
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happiness or utility.
 2. Deontology

Deontological ethics emphasizes the

importance of following moral rules or duties
regardless of the consequences. Immanuel
Kant's categorical imperative is a prominent
example of a deontological approach, stating
that one should act only according to
principles that could become universal laws.
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 3. Virtue Ethics

This approach focuses on the character of

the moral agent rather than the consequences of
actions or adherence to rules. It suggests that
cultivating virtuous traits such as honesty,
courage, and compassion leads to moral
behavior. Aristotle is one of the key figures
associated with GB virtue ethics.
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 4. Ethical Relativism

This perspective asserts that ethical

principles are not universal but vary
depending on cultural, societal, or individual
contexts. It suggests that what is considered
morally right or wrong may differ from one
culture or society to another.
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 5. Social Contract Theory

This theory proposes that ethical principles are

the result of a social contract or agreement among
individuals within a society. It emphasizes the
importance of cooperation, reciprocity, and mutual
benefit in determining ethical norms.
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 In corporate governance and business,
ethical values are crucial components of
laws and regulations. Here's how ethical
values are integrated into corporate
governance laws:
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 1. Transparency and Accountability

Ethical values often emphasize

transparency in business operations and financial
reporting. Corporate governance laws require
companies to disclose information to shareholders
and stakeholders, ensuring accountability for their
actions. This promotes trust and integrity within the
business environment.
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 2. Fairness and Equity

Ethical values promote fairness and

equity in business practices. Corporate
governance laws aim to prevent
discrimination, promote diversity, and ensure
fair treatment of all stakeholders, including
employees, customers, and shareholders. This
helps create a level playing field and fosters a
positive corporate culture.
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 3. Integrity and Honesty

Ethical values uphold integrity and

honesty in business dealings. Corporate
governance laws prohibit fraudulent activities,
insider trading, and other forms of unethical
behavior. Compliance with these laws helps
maintain the reputation and credibility of the
company and its stakeholders.
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 4. Respect for Stakeholders

Ethical values prioritize the interests of all

stakeholders, including employees, customers, suppliers,
and the community. Corporate governance laws mandate
that companies consider the impact of their decisions on
these stakeholders and act in their best interests. This
encourages responsible corporate behavior and sustainable
business practices.
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 5. Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)

Ethical values encompass corporate social

responsibility, where companies take into account
their environmental, social, and economic impact.
Corporate governance laws may require companies to
integrate CSR initiatives into their business strategies
and report on their progress. This demonstrates a
commitment to ethical values beyond mere
compliance with regulations.
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 In summary, ethical values are embedded in corporate
governance laws to promote transparency, fairness,
integrity, respect for stakeholders, and corporate social
responsibility in business practices. Adhering to these
values not only ensures legal compliance but also
contributes to the long-term success and sustainability
of companies in the global marketplace.
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QUIZ
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 1. It is a rule of acceptable personal
behavior and courtesy when
interacting with others in a social
setting.
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 2. The idea of ______ work is that
professionals should donate some of
their technical expertise to
individuals or organizations unable
to pay for those services.
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 3. This theory proposes that ethical
principles are the result of a social
contract or agreement among
individuals within a society.
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 4. This helps create a level
playing field and fosters a
positive corporate culture .
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 5. It is a personal rules of right
and wrong behavior derived
from person’s upbringing,
religious beliefs and societal
influences.
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 6. It is a system of rules and
punishments clearly defined and
established by a society to maintain a
safe and orderly social environment
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 TRUE OR FALSE
7. ETHICAL VALUES DOES NOT PROMOTE FAIRNESS AND
EQUITY IN BUSINESS PRACTICES

8. CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY ENCOURAGE

RESPONSIBLE CORPORATE BEHAVIOR AND SUSTAINABLE
BUSINESS PRACTICES.

9. CONSEQUENTIALISM EVALUATES THE MORALITY OF

ACTION BASED ON THEIR OUTCOMES OR CONSEQUENCES.

10. ETHICAL VALUES OFTEN EMPHASIZE TRANSPARENCY IN

BUSINESS OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL REPORTING.
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Thank you!
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SLIDESMANIA.C
 1. ETIQUETTE
2. PRO BONO
3. SOCIAL CONTRACT THEORY
4. FAIRNESS AND EQUITY
5. MORAL
6. LAWS
7. FALSE
8. FALSE
9. TRUE
10. TRUE
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