PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY- PROFESSIONAL ETHICSusers.metu.edu.tr/sevaiogl/EE100 Course 03.pdf · 3/22/97 12:30 Chapter 3 3 Engineering profession is a complex subject matter. Layman

PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY

&PROFESSIONAL

ETHICS

PROFESSIONAL PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITYRESPONSIBILITY

&&PROFESSIONAL PROFESSIONAL

ETHICSETHICS

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Engineering profession is Engineering profession is a complex subject matter.a complex subject matter.Layman cannot differentiate Layman cannot differentiate between competent and between competent and incompetent professionals.

PROFESSIONAL PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITYRESPONSIBILITY

incompetent professionals.

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Professionals have special skills:

Professionals have Professionals have special skills:special skills:

where to find a specific where to find a specific knowledge & examplesknowledge & examplesmethodologies, algorithms, methodologies, algorithms, equationsequationsand know where, when and and know where, when and how to apply them.how to apply them.

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A professional differs from a A professional differs from a technically competent person technically competent person

in his awareness of the society in his awareness of the society in which the skills are being in which the skills are being

used. used. Therefore some of the Therefore some of the

educational background is educational background is devoted to cultural devoted to cultural

awareness.awareness.

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CERTIFICATION OF COMPETENCE

CERTIFICATION OF CERTIFICATION OF COMPETENCECOMPETENCE

Chartered EngineerChartered EngineerABETABET

ISO 9000ISO 9000TSETSE

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TRUSTWORTHINESSTRUSTWORTHINESSTRUSTWORTHINESSSociety must rely on Society must rely on

professionalsprofessionals’’ awareness of his awareness of his role in society and not being role in society and not being

self servingself servingProfession educates its member to Profession educates its member to

put society & client before selfput society & client before self--interest.interest.

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Compensation (Compensation (pay, income, pay, income, profitprofit) is important, but should ) is important, but should not be the only driving force.not be the only driving force.

Professional takes on workProfessional takes on workprimarily for primarily for moral satisfactionmoral satisfactionsecondarily for compensationsecondarily for compensation

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A practical way for A practical way for professionals to govern professionals to govern

themselves: themselves: an accepted code of ethicsan accepted code of ethics::

reminder of moral standardsreminder of moral standardsa source of guidance in difficult a source of guidance in difficult moral dilemmasmoral dilemmasstandard of evaluating cases of standard of evaluating cases of alleged misconductalleged misconduct

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NORMS OF CONDUCT needed to regulate relationships

between

NORMS OF CONDUCT NORMS OF CONDUCT needed to regulate relationships needed to regulate relationships

betweenbetweenThe engineer and the companyThe engineer and the companyThe engineer and the societyThe engineer and the societyThe engineer and other engineersThe engineer and other engineersThe company and the societyThe company and the societyThe company and other companiesThe company and other companiesEngineer and the professionEngineer and the professionCompany and the professionCompany and the profession

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All are actually based on All are actually based on the principle ofthe principle of

obligation towards the obligation towards the societysociety..

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Two basic forms:Two basic forms:Two basic forms:legislation legislation code of ethicscode of ethics

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MORAL DILEMMASMORAL DILEMMASMORAL DILEMMASWe analyze ethical problems, We analyze ethical problems,

often using our beliefs.often using our beliefs.Beliefs may be internally Beliefs may be internally

inconsistent & contradictory.inconsistent & contradictory.Different parts of the world have Different parts of the world have

different moral values.different moral values.

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Must find a way to incorporate Must find a way to incorporate moral judgments into a moral judgments into a

consistent and systematic consistent and systematic whole.whole.

Socratic method: analyzing Socratic method: analyzing beliefs or opinions for their beliefs or opinions for their logical weakness by asking logical weakness by asking questions (Like American questions (Like American

lawyers)lawyers)

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One must be aware of some One must be aware of some pitfalls in ethical analysis; pitfalls in ethical analysis;

principles are usually rather principles are usually rather vague:vague:

Often engineers ignore moral Often engineers ignore moral dilemmas, and deal with physical dilemmas, and deal with physical

problems.problems.Dilemmas are problems without a Dilemmas are problems without a

unique right solution.unique right solution.Being sensitive to areas outside Being sensitive to areas outside technical areas is an obligation.technical areas is an obligation.

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Some aspects of life an engineer must recognize:

Political implicationsproblems with no complete solutionsonly a minimization of bad solutions

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Engineers often work as part of a design team.

Engineers often work as Engineers often work as part of a design team.part of a design team.

Decisions:Decisions:affect the wholeaffect the wholeare affected by the work are affected by the work

of othersof others

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Engineers working for a company

often face the conflict between

Engineers working for a Engineers working for a company company

often face the conflict often face the conflict between between

loyalty to the societyloyalty to the societyloyalty to the employer loyalty to the employer (company)(company)loyalty to their conscienceloyalty to their conscienceloyalty to the professionloyalty to the profession

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PRODUCT SAFETY & QUALITY

PRODUCT SAFETY & PRODUCT SAFETY & QUALITYQUALITY

Engineers must take into Engineers must take into account the safety of the user.account the safety of the user.Manufacturer is responsible Manufacturer is responsible even if the product is used in even if the product is used in

an unintended wayan unintended way

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Engineers cannot foresee Engineers cannot foresee every circumstance in which every circumstance in which

a product can be used, a product can be used, but must try to assess how & but must try to assess how &

where it can fail.where it can fail.

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Company (not the engineer) is Company (not the engineer) is the liable (legally responsible) the liable (legally responsible)

party:party:Company is (legally) Company is (legally)

responsible to the responsible to the customer,customer,Engineer is responsible to Engineer is responsible to

the company.the company.

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Product quality conflictsProduct quality conflicts

customers (societycustomers (society’’s) s) satisfactionsatisfactioncompanycompany’’s profits profit

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Government’s Role:GovernmentGovernment’’s Role:s Role:

Standards must be set by a Standards must be set by a neutral partyneutral partyImprovement of standards Improvement of standards

may be costly and must be may be costly and must be compensated for.compensated for.

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ExamplesExamplesExamples

DCDC--10 incident10 incidentSpace shuttle disasterSpace shuttle disasterBuilding at Mithatpasa and Z. GokalpBuilding at Mithatpasa and Z. Gokalp

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With new technologies, engineers can

With new technologies, With new technologies, engineersengineers cancan

increase quality, at no increase quality, at no additional cost,additional cost,reduce cost, with no reduce cost, with no

sacrifice from quality.sacrifice from quality.

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Engineers Engineers often led the often led the consumer protection efforts.consumer protection efforts.

There is a marked increase in the There is a marked increase in the world in terms of product liability world in terms of product liability legislation. legislation. Companies become more responsible Companies become more responsible for their products & media stresses for their products & media stresses that too. that too. Engineers must design their products Engineers must design their products to high standards, so that company to high standards, so that company stays in business.stays in business.

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Company may be held liable if:Company may be held liable if:Company may be held liable if:Product is defective Product is defective cannot be used for its intended purpose.cannot be used for its intended purpose.

Manufacturing process is faulty, Manufacturing process is faulty, for example testing is not performed properly.for example testing is not performed properly.

Labeling is inadequate.Labeling is inadequate.(regarding warnings for proper use)(regarding warnings for proper use)

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Packaging is not proper, Packaging is not proper, resulting in damage during shipment.resulting in damage during shipment.Records Records regarding consumer complaints, regarding consumer complaints, sales, manufacturing and distributionsales, manufacturing and distribution is not is not maintained properly.maintained properly.Quality control & assurance Quality control & assurance in all in all phases of production (from design to phases of production (from design to distribution)distribution) is important.is important.

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ETHICAL PROBLEMSETHICAL PROBLEMSETHICAL PROBLEMSTrying to decrease cost may Trying to decrease cost may create some ethical problems create some ethical problems

for the engineer.for the engineer.quality and consumer safety quality and consumer safety

on one sideon one sidecompany profits & job company profits & job security on the other.security on the other.

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DILEMMADILEMMADILEMMAarises when superiors request you arises when superiors request you

not to pay much attention to not to pay much attention to obligations toward the customer. obligations toward the customer. If you insist on what you think is If you insist on what you think is

right, right, and let your opinion be known and let your opinion be known

outside the company, outside the company, you may loose your jobyou may loose your job......to no benefit to society. ......to no benefit to society.

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NSPE says: NSPE says: NSPE says: Do everything possible within the Do everything possible within the company, to correct the wrong action. company, to correct the wrong action. If it does not work notify the customer If it does not work notify the customer (or the public), (or the public), but let the company know of your but let the company know of your intentions. intentions. (This is not to be considered as a threat. It should (This is not to be considered as a threat. It should

not be bluffing either.)not be bluffing either.)

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Fight for your rights; otherwise you loose

your honor and dignity together with

your rights.

Fight for your rights; Fight for your rights; otherwise you loose otherwise you loose

your honor and your honor and dignity together with dignity together with

your rights.your rights.

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Case studiesCase studiesCase studiesPlease readPlease read

Being right is expensive Being right is expensive (p.96)(p.96)Holding the line (p.98)Holding the line (p.98)

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DESIGN CHANGESDESIGN CHANGESDESIGN CHANGES

Often changes are made in Often changes are made in the execution of design. the execution of design.

You must make sure that You must make sure that changes do not affect changes do not affect

product integrityproduct integrity

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Original designOriginal designOriginal design

5A fuses

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Modified productionModified productionModified production

10A fuse

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Note that:Note that:

One 10A fuse instead of One 10A fuse instead of two 5A fuses is a two 5A fuses is a deterioration in safety.deterioration in safety.First portion of the cable First portion of the cable carries twice the current.carries twice the current.

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Sometimes a design may fail in Sometimes a design may fail in spite of engineersspite of engineers’’ best efforts,best efforts,

because existing state of the because existing state of the technology is not enough.technology is not enough.

Therefore, a continuing effort Therefore, a continuing effort towards the advancement of towards the advancement of

technology is necessary.technology is necessary.Safety margins must be observedSafety margins must be observed

(increasing the cost!)(increasing the cost!)

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Kobe earthquakeKobe earthquakeThe construction technologies The construction technologies which proved to be satisfactory which proved to be satisfactory so far, were not good enough in so far, were not good enough in this case. this case. Will be analyzed and precautions Will be analyzed and precautions will be taken and technology will will be taken and technology will be improved.be improved.

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Tacoma bridge disasterTacoma bridge disasterStrong winds cause vibrations on Strong winds cause vibrations on the bridge.the bridge.At 42 mph. oscillation At 42 mph. oscillation

frequencies coincide with the frequencies coincide with the resonance frequency of the resonance frequency of the bridge, bridge, oscillation magnitude increases oscillation magnitude increases and the bridge collapses.and the bridge collapses.

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CODE OF ETHICSCODE OF ETHICS

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CODE OF ETHICS Rules of practice

CODE OF ETHICS CODE OF ETHICS Rules of practiceRules of practice

In the performance of In the performance of professional duties,professional duties, safety, safety, health and welfare of public health and welfare of public comes first.comes first.Perform services only in Perform services only in

your area of competence.your area of competence.

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CODE OF ETHICS Rules of practice (cont’d)

CODE OF ETHICS CODE OF ETHICS Rules of practice (contRules of practice (cont’’d)d)

While making public statementsWhile making public statements, be , be objective & truthful.objective & truthful.

WWhen you act for an employer or hen you act for an employer or customer,customer, be faithful.be faithful.

DonDon’’t try to get professional t try to get professional employment in improper ways.employment in improper ways.

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CODE OF ETHICS Professional obligations

CODE OF ETHICS CODE OF ETHICS Professional obligationsProfessional obligations

Always be guided by the Always be guided by the highest standards of highest standards of integrityintegrity..

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Professional obligations (Cont’d)Professional obligations Professional obligations (Cont(Cont’’d)d)

Always try to serve the Always try to serve the public public interestinterest..

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Always try to avoid doing Always try to avoid doing things that may discredit the things that may discredit the

profession or profession or deceive the deceive the publicpublic..

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Do not disclose Do not disclose business business secretssecrets of present or past of present or past

employers or clients without employers or clients without expressed consent.expressed consent.

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DonDon’’t be influenced by t be influenced by conflicts of interestconflicts of interest..

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Only appropriate and Only appropriate and adequate adequate compensationcompensation for performing for performing

professional duties.professional duties.

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DonDon’’t compete with other t compete with other engineers or companies engineers or companies

using questionable or using questionable or unfair unfair methodsmethods..

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Take the Take the professional professional responsibilityresponsibility for all your for all your

professional actions.professional actions.

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DonDon’’tt attempt to attempt to hurt the hurt the reputationreputation of other engineers of other engineers or criticize their work without or criticize their work without

proper evidence. proper evidence.

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If such evidence of unethical If such evidence of unethical or illegal conduct exists or illegal conduct exists present it to the present it to the proper proper

authorityauthority for action.for action.

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Give creditGive credit for engineering work for engineering work only to whom it belongs and only to whom it belongs and

recognize proprietary interests.recognize proprietary interests.

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Cooperate in extending the Cooperate in extending the effectiveness of the profession effectiveness of the profession

by interchanging ideas, by interchanging ideas, information and experience with information and experience with others and provide opportunity others and provide opportunity for for professional developmentprofessional development of of

engineers under your engineers under your supervision.supervision.

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HOMEWORK:HOMEWORK:HOMEWORK:

(Due next meeting)(Due next meeting)Read Read ““NSPE Code of Ethics NSPE Code of Ethics

for Engineersfor Engineers”” (Appendix (Appendix one) and write each one) and write each

(numbered) item in one (numbered) item in one sentence, in your sentence, in your ownown

wordswords

Documents

PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY- PROFESSIONAL ETHICSusers.metu.edu.tr/sevaiogl/EE100 Course 03.pdf · 3/22/97 12:30 Chapter 3 3 Engineering profession is a complex subject matter. Layman