Copyright Baylor University 2006 1
EGR 1301Engineering Ethics
Copyright Baylor University 2006 2
Introduction
Steven Eisenbarth, Ph.D. Associate Dean of
Engineering and Computer Science
Baylor University
Copyright Baylor University 2006 3
Rules that Govern Human Interaction
Etiquette – codes of behavior and courtesy Law – system of rules established by statutes or custom
(as in common law) Morals – accepted standards of right and wrong
Some are universal (e.g., lying or killing) Some are not (e.g., polygamy and divorce)
Ethics – general and abstract concepts of right and wrong behavior culled from philosophy, theology and professional societies.
Copyright Baylor University 2006 4
Overlap May Lead to Conflicts
What is legal is not always moral.
What is moral is not always legal.
Sometimes even moral principles collide with each other. More on this later.
Copyright Baylor University 2006 5
Ethics Example— Speed Limits
Moral question?
Conceptual question?
Applications question?
Factual question?
Copyright Baylor University 2006 6
Resolving Ethical Dilemmas
Factual Issues – arises when there is uncertainty about morally relevant facts.
Applications Issues – result when it is unclear if a particular act violates a law, rule or policy.
Conceptual Issues – arise when the morality of an action is agreed upon, but there is uncertainty about how it should be codified.
Moral Issues – are involved if the issue can only be resolved by making a moral decision.
Copyright Baylor University 2006 7
Other Examples
Untreated industrial waste discharges Housing development over toxic waste site Are theses examples of:
Moral question? Conceptual question? Applications question? Factual question?
Copyright Baylor University 2006 8
Emmanuel Kant
Sought to establish the ultimate principle of morality. Motivation behind the act important not the results
achieved by the act. An action is moral if one could will the action be a
universal law. Respect for persons. Persons should never be an means to an end but an end in
themselves. Critical of Utilitarian theories because they tended to
devalued human worth.
Copyright Baylor University 2006 9
John Stewart Mill
Greatly influenced by the writing of Jeremy Bentham. Utilitarianism – “The greatest happiness principle”. Moral activities are those that create the most good for the
most people. Best cost/benefit ratio. Requires assessment of the results of actions not the
motives of the actor. Happiness defined as intellectual as well as sensual
pleasure. Human dignity implies that intellectual pleasure is to be
preferred to sensual pleasure.
Copyright Baylor University 2006 10
Rights Analysis
Similar to Utilitarianism. Maximize “rights” rather than “happiness” Two type of rights:
Liberty rights Welfare rights
All “rights” are not of equal importance. Greater weight give to “most important” rights Select action the infringes the least on the rights of
those involved.
Copyright Baylor University 2006 11
Christian Ethics
Love God with heart, soul, mind and strength. Love neighbor as self. Moral law as civil restraint. Moral law as a spiritual mirror. Moral law as a spur to good deeds. One seeks God’s grace in all life’s actions
Copyright Baylor University 2006 12
Moral Principles: Conflicting Guidance
What is best for society is not necessarily best for everyone in society. Example – where to build an airport Example – Stalin murdering 20,000,000 Russians,
ostensibly to make Russia better for the remaining 200,000,000 people.
Engineers generally use cost/benefit analysis which is more utilitarian.
Which moral theory is more prevalent in American public policy? In American personal ethics?
Copyright Baylor University 2006 13
Canon of Engineering Ethics
1. Protect public safety, health and welfare.2. Perform duties only in area of competence.3. Be truthful and objective.4. Avoid conflicts of interest.5. Reject bribes and gifts that would interfere with
your engineering judgment.6. Provide honest value to one’s employer.7. Protect employer’s or client’s confidential
information.
8. Protect the environment.
Copyright Baylor University 2006 14
Which of Canons Applies
Engineers get paid to testify as expert witnesses by the hour, whether their side wins or loses. Lawyers can work for a contingency. Why? What canon applies.
When an engineering goes to work for a competitor of his current employer, what canon applies?
Copyright Baylor University 2006 15
Engineering as a Profession
Profession are defined by statue and regulated by State Boards Doctors must pass medical exam to obtain license and practice
medicine. Lawyers must pass Bar exam to practice law. Engineers may or may not be licensed.
In Texas engineering is regulated by the Engineering Practice Act.
This Act includes as section on “Professional Conduct and Ethics”.
Copyright Baylor University 2006 16
Resource Allocationand the Value of Human Life
Why we can’t put infinite value on human life in engineering work?
What value on their lives (on average) do Americans put?
What are the two critical principles in deciding what is an acceptable level of risk in engineering work? Voluntary or involuntary Who takes risk and who gets reward
Copyright Baylor University 2006 17
From: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Chernobyl_Disaster.jpg
Copyright Baylor University 2006 18
Assignment
Browse the Texas Board of Professional Engineers Website http://www.tbpe.state.tx.us/
Locate the Texas Engineering Registration Requirements http://www.tbpe.state.tx.us/eng_req.htm
Locate the Texas Laws and Rules http://www.tbpe.state.tx.us/downloads.htm#general Download a copy of the Law and Rules Document Read Subsection C: Personal Conduct and Ethics
Top Related