Lecture2 3 4 Ethics Spring 2013

7/29/2019 Lecture2 3 4 Ethics Spring 2013

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ME 496, EE 496, CEE 496

Senior Design II

Engineering EthicsIhssan S. Masad, Ph.D.

Capstone Senior Design Coordinator

Biomedical Engineering Department

College of EngineeringKing Faisal University


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Presentation Purpose

Introduce ethical concepts

Help you recognize ethical issues

Introduce a code of ethics Stimulate your ethical imagination

Promote a sense of responsibility


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Presentation Outline

What is Engineering Ethics?

Basic Concepts and Moral Theories

Code(s) of Ethics Engineers and Others

Society, Public, Clients, Employers, Other Engineers

Concluding Remarks


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What is ethics?

ethics \eth-iks\ n

A set of moral principles or values

A theory or system of moral principlesor values

The principles of conduct governing

an individual or group


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Engineering ethics is

The study of moral issues and decisions

confronting individuals and organizations

involved in engineering

The study of related questions about moralconduct, character, ideals, and relationships

of people and organizations involved in

technological development

Martin and Schinzinger, Ethics in Engineering(2000)


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Core Ethical Values

Integrity

Honesty

Truthfulness Fidelity

www.engr.washington.edu/~uw-epp/Pepl/Ethics/

Charity

Responsibility

Self-Discipline


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Basic Concepts

Factual issues Is the issue true or false?

Conceptual issues What is the meaning or scope of the term or concept?

Moral issues Is a moral principle relevant or applicable?


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Basic Concepts


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Moral Theory

Moral Standard

a criterion test of what is right and wrong

Moral Principles

categorize different actions as right or wrong

Moral Judgments

statements about right and wrong


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Two Moral Standards

Utilitarianism Those actions are right that produce the greatest total

amount of human well-being.

Rights Analysis Those actions are right that equally respect each

human person as a moral agent.


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Utilitarianism Method of Analysis

1. Determine the audience of action or policy

2. Determine the positive and negative effects of thealternatives

3. Decide which course produces the greatest overall utility

Problems

What is well-being?

Requires extensive knowledge of facts to evaluate the

happiness objective function Can lead to injustice for certain individuals


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Rights Analysis

Method of Analysis1. Determine the audience of action or policy

2. Evaluate the seriousness of the rights infringement each action willimpose

3. Chose the action that produces the least serious rights infringement

Problems Can be too permissive

Can be too restrictive

Calls for a hierarchy of rights

Can lead to implausible results that conflict overall welfare


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Code of Ethics

NSPE Code of Ethics

ASME Code of Ethics

IEEE Code of Ethics NCEES Model Rules of Professional

Conduct


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NSPE Engineers' 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 standardsof professional conduct;

to place service before profit, the honor and standing of the professionbefore personal advantage, and the public welfare above all otherconsiderations.

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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Ethical Priorities

1. Society and the public

2. The law

3. The engineering profession4. Engineers client

5. Engineers firm

6. Other involved engineers7. The engineer personally


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Engineers, Society, and Public

Primary duty to protect public welfare

Social benefit vs. technological risk Risk definition, assessment, evaluation, and

management are complicatedvoluntary vs. involuntary, near-term vs. long-term

No self-laudatory advertising and indicate ifanyone benefits from statements

Notify others if public safety or welfare iscompromised


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Engineers, Clients, and Suppliers

Primary duty to protect public welfare

Client interests must be protected

Not bound by what client wants

Confidential information belongs to client Avoid conflicts of interest and appearanceof

conflicts of interest

Deliverables must be complete, definite, and specific

Must fully explain consequences and admit errors Only paid once for services and no gifts, discounts,

or indirect compensation


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Engineers and Employers

Loyalty to employer vs. obligation to

society

Primary duty is to society Ethical employees seek to protect

company assets

Competitive biddingis not prohibited


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Engineers and Profession

Keep skills at state-of-the-art level Recognize limitations technical and time

Develop appreciation and understanding of the

engineering profession

Do not ruin reputation of other engineers but informauthority of wrongdoing

Do not review another engineers work unless other

engineer is informed (if engineering is still employed)

Do not try to replace other engineers

Freely report useful information if permissible


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Engineers and the Environment

How clean, is clean?

Objection as an engineer or citizen?

Often regulated by law

Often neglects cost/benefit analysis


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Engineers must

Protect the public safety, health and welfare

Perform duties only in areas of competence

Be truthful and objective

Behave in an honorable and dignified manner

Continue to sharpen technical skills

Provide honest and hard work to employers

Inform authorities of harmful, dangerous, or

illegal activities


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Engineers must

Be involved with civic and community affairs

Protect the environment

Not accept bribes or gifts that would interfere

with engineering judgment

Protect confidential information of employer

Avoid conflicts of interest

Holtzapple-Reece: Foundations of Engineering(2000)


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Guidelines to solve ethical dilemmas

1. Determine the facts in the situation2. Define the stakeholders

3. Assess the motivations of the stakeholders

4. Formulate alternative solutions5. Evaluate proposed alternatives

6. Seek additional assistance, as appropriate

7. Select the best course of action

8. Implement the selected solution

9. Monitor and assess the outcome


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Guidelines for Dissent

Make sure the issue is sufficiently important

Try to catch problems early, and work with

the lowest managerial level

Establish a clear technical foundation

Keep arguments on a high professional plane

Use organizational dispute resolution

mechanisms

Keep records and collect paper


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As a Last Resort

Anonymity

Resigning

Outside resources

IEEE Ethics Committee 11/11/96


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Question

Does the current version of the NPSE Code of Ethics for

Engineersallow an engineer to work on a technology that

contributes to global warming?

Discuss and analyze this issue, as a group:

a.

Indicate on the provided checklist any relevant portionsof the NPSE Code.

b. Locate one source that would help you answer this

question. Summarize this source.

c. Would you recommend the NPSE Code be modified toaddress this issue?

Submit via email or hardcopy by Feb 24, 2008.


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Engineers have an obligation to

protect the safety, health, and welfare of the

public

be aware of the experimental nature of

projects, use imaginative forecasting ofpossible side effects, and make reasonable

efforts to monitor them

be personally involved in all steps of a project

Martin and Schinzinger: Ethics in Engineering(2000)


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Final Thoughts

Engineering involves risk-assessment and

resource allocation.

Engineers must make difficult decisions.

Engineering codes of ethics are important.

Engineers are responsible forthe results of their work!


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References

onlineethics.org

ethics.tamu.edu

www.niee.org www.ppi.com

nspe.org

asme.org

ieee.org ncees.org
http://www.niee.org/http://www.niee.org/

Documents

Lecture2 3 4 Ethics Spring 2013