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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/