The Role of Ethics in Engineering

Scott Coffel

Director, Hanson Center for Technical Communication

College of EngineeringThe University of Iowa

Why Do Engineers Need Ethics?

Engineers are responsible for designing, constructing, and maintaining the inventions of civilization.

There are few (if any) mere technical decisions.

“Knowing how to calculate stress or design a circuit is in part knowing what the profession allows, forbids, or requires .”¹¹"Online Ethics Center: Teaching Ethics Across the Engineering Curriculum" Online Ethics Center for Engineering 6/19/2006 1:29:26 PM National Academy of Engineering Accessed: Tuesday, November 13, 2007 <www.onlineethics.org/CMS/edu/instructessays/davis.aspx>

Two Comments on Ethics “The world has

achieved brilliance without wisdom,

power without conscience. Ours is a

world of nuclear giants and ethical infants.”

— Omar Bradley, US General in WW2

“Ethics are a kind of highway code for

traffic among mankind.”

— Sigmund Freud

Bonus Slide:More Fascinating Ethical Observations

Rules are made to be broken. Nice guys finish last. Go along to get along. If the boss does it, that means

it’s not illegal.

We Think We’re Ahead of the Curve…But We’re Not “Everything that can be invented has been invented.”

— Charles H. Duell, Commissioner, US Patent Office, 1899

The bomb will never go off. I speak as an expert in explosives.”

— Admiral William Leahy, Manhattan Project, 1943

“640KB ought to be enough for anybody.”— Bill Gates, Chairman, Microsoft, 1981

To Be Misquoted Can Ruin your Reputation

Poor Duell — this is what he actually said in 1902:

“In my opinion, all previous advances in the various lines of invention will appear totally insignificant when compared with those which the present century will witness. I almost wish that I might live my life over again to see the wonders which are at the threshold.”

Imagine if an Engineer Werethe President of the United States

Global Engineer (and President) Herbert Hoover, 1928 – 1932.

Technical expertise is not enough. Many blamed Hoover

for the Great Depression (1929). “Unlike doctors, engineers cannot bury their

mistakes in the grave.”— Herbert Hoover (1954, from an article in Engineer’s Week)

What Professional Engineers Tell Us

They find team writing and writing for multiple audiences difficult.

At times, the team’s personal dynamics are in conflict with the team’s responsibility to tell the truth.

Some of the worst ethical problems result from tensions between competing responsibilities.

NSPE Code of EthicsEngineers, in the fulfillment of their professional duties, shall:

Hold paramount the safety, health, and welfare of the public. Perform services only in areas of their competence. Issue public statements only in an objective and truthful manner. Act for each employer or client as faithful agents or trustees. Avoid deceptive acts. Conduct themselves honorably, responsibly, ethically, and

lawfully so as to enhance the honor, reputation, and usefulness of the profession.

Plagiarism: A Fancy Word for Unethical and/or Foolish Behavior

Let's Be Blunt About Plagiarism

The Latin term for kidnapper was “plagiarius.” As aspiring engineers, you need to know that stealing the ideas of others has consequences beyond your own prospects and reputation—

It also damages your institution and the honest members of your profession by loosening the bonds of trust that tie us all together.

Credibility and Depth of Research—

Striking the Right Balance Cite enough sources so that your audience trusts

your conclusions and recommendations.

Don’t overload your reports with cited material at the expense of your own insights.

Ignorance of the Rules Is No Excuse —

When in Doubt, Ask the Experts The Hanson Center Writing Resources page offers valuable and

easy-to-read guides for writing and speaking ethically.

The Engineering Library offers a wide range of citation and bibliography software to help you cite sources with speed and accuracy.

Ethics Requires Precision in Thought and Language

Competent writing establishes your credibility as an engineer.

Engineers achieve success as writers through a process of drafting, feedback, and revision.

There are no shortcuts to good writing.

Summary

Ethical engineers navigate conflicts with an inner compass.

They also use the needs of the community as a guide.

They balance responsibility to themselves, their profession, and the world.

Thank You