Engineering Ethics

** Hyman Ch. 4.4** Introduction to Engineering Ethics by R. Schinzinger and M.W. Martin** Online Ethics Centerhttp://www.onlineethics.org/

** ASME PPC http://www.professionalpractice.asme.org/transition/ethics/3.htm

Engineering Ethics

• The study of understanding moral values, resolving moral issues and justifying moral decisions in engineering practice.

• Also can be considered beliefs and acceptable practices codes of ethics

• Finally, it is also the obligation, justification and principles to be endorsed.

Learning Objectives• Enhance the ability to deal with difficult ethical decisions• Strengthen moral autonomy (self-determination) – the

habit of thinking rationally about ethical issues following appropriate moral principles improve practical skills such as– Recognize and understanding ethical situations– Critical thinking skill on assessing opposing sides of

ethical issues– Tolerate uncertainty and respect different perspectives

in decision making– Maintain moral integrity by integrating personal

convictions and professional practices (sweat the small stuff)

– Be articulate by learning common ethical language (to support or oppose viewpoints)

Methodologies for Case Studies

• State of the art in engineering ethics – an article by Charles Harris (Texas A&M) dedicated on methodologies to resolve engineering ethical issues through the use of case studies and other schemes– Methods of Analysis and Problem Resolution– Studied Cases: micro-cases, macro-cases, and

exemplary cases.– Microethics (ex: health and safety, integrity,

bribes/gifts, etc..), macroethics (less emphasis, ex: sustainability, nanotechnology, cloning, etc..)

Sustainable Development Goals

• Biological (ecological) system– Genetic diversity, resilience, biological productivity

• Economic system– Increased production of goods and services,

satisfaction of basic needs or reducing poverty, improvement in equality

• Social system (least emphasized)– Cultural diversity, social justice, gender equality,

participation

Methods of Analysis• Factual Issues

– Conflicts over a matter of fact crucial to problem solution (ex: global warming data interpretation)

• Conceptual Issues– Conflicts over a definition of a concept (ex: Terri

Schiavo case, definition of “death”)

• Application Issues– Conflicts over the application of a concept in a

particular situation (conflict of interest)

• Moral Issues– Conflict between values or obligations (

Spotted Owl and Timber Industry controversy, environmental and job protection)

Problem-Resolution (cont.)

– Bottom-Up Methods of Resolution (intuitive level of moral thinking, moral common sense)

• Weighing or balancing: evaluate and weighs alternatives• Casuistry/Line drawing: comparing with cases with clear ethical

characteristics (positive or negative) CASE STUDY• Creative middle ways: acceptable compromise

– Top-Down Methods of Resolution (philosophical theories)

• Utilitarianism: well being of the greatest number of people (ex: intellectual property, patented drugs in underdeveloped countries)

– Cost/benefit analysis• Respect for persons: justice and rights of individuals

A Classical Ethical Dilemma• Trolley problem or lifeboat problem

Adopted from http://web.lemoyne.edu/~hevern/psy340/lectures/psy340.12.1.emotions.html

Analogy between Moral Issues and Engineering Design (C. Whitebeck, 2003)

• Require synthesis and analysis

• Usually without a simple correct solution

• Some solutions are better than others

• An acceptable solution must– Achieve the desired goals– Conform to given specifications– Reasonably risk free– Consistent with constraints

Some Ethics References

• Online Ethics Center-sample assignments for student• Help on ethical decisions• Numerical and design problems with ethical content• Write case studies based on senior design projects• Key concepts to teach engineering ethics