Professional Ethics

(2)

S. Adalarasu
[email protected]

Formerly DGM,QIT,
Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala
Adjunct Professor/Guest Faculty,
NITT and NITPY
VIT University, Vellore, Tamil Nadu
Engineering
- important and learned profession
- exhibit the highest standards of honesty and integrity
- direct and vital impact on the quality of life
- The services provided by Engineers require honest, impartiality,
fairness and equity
- dedicated to the protection of public health, wealth and safety
Engineering ethics
- moral principles that apply to the practice of engineering
- sets the obligations by engineers to society, clients & profession
-Study of moral issues & decisions confronting engineering/person
Gain
Enhance capability to tackle issues arises from technical activities
-Codes of engineering ethics
- identify a specific precedence for engineers towards public,
clients, employers, and the profession
- general principles - similar for various engg. Societies in world
(e.g) American Society of Civil Engineers
Engineers - safety, health and welfare of the public -
performance of their professional duties
-shall perform services only in areas of their competence
- shall issue public statements only in an objective
-shall act in professional matters as faithful agents or trustees
for each employer or client, and shall avoid conflicts of
interest
- prime responsibility – safety, welfare and upliftment
Two types of engineering ethics
a) Preventive ethics
Engineers obligation - do no harm
guidelines for preventing harm to the public
must have education in preventive ethics
(e.g) making a housing colony in a heavily treed & hilly area will
end up in rainwater run off issue – due to possible shops in future
planned maintenance prevent the chances of sudden breakdown,
b) Aspiration ethics
- positive face of engineering ethics
- motivating considerations for using one's professional expertise
to promote human well-being
- Oriented towards producing a better life for mankind through
technology
(e.g) zero pollution automobiles, auditory visual tracker
There are two different senses (meanings) of engineering ethics
-Normative and the Descriptive senses
Normative sense:
(a) Knowing moral values, finding accurate solutions to moral
problems and justifying moral judgments in engineering practices
(b) Study of decisions, policies, and values that are morally
desirable in the engineering practice and research
(c) Using codes of ethics and standards and applying them in their
transactions by engineers
(e.g) Construction as per norms
Descriptive sense
It is a value free approach- not examining how systematic factors
affect an outcome – Heinz dilemma – logical reason
what specific individual or group of engineers believe an act,
without justifying their beliefs or actions
Descriptive sense
- what motivates pro-social behavior
- how people reason about ethics
- what people believe to have overriding importance
- how societies regulate behavior
(e.g) atomic power in an area without natural resources
Moral Problems arise in Engineering
1. Chemical plant dumping waste in a land fill
2. Draining effluents from dying industry to the river
3. Installing transformers in residential area
Moral issues/problems
- an issue to be resolved not only by considering the technical
stuff but also by keeping moral values in mind
Reasons for moral issues:
people behave unethically (compelling to use inferior item in
assy)
The reasons for behaving unethically
classified into three categories:
1. Resource Crunch
pressure due to schedule
pressure to complete the project in time (e.g.the elections)
non availability of budget
technology obsolescence.
reduction in the budget
(because of sudden war or natural calamity)
compelled to make cost effective to compete the project
(manipulation and unsafe and unethical execution of projects)
Remedy?
2. Opportunity
(a) Double standards of the employers - towards the employees
and the public
- a principle that is unequally applied to different people or groups
- Standard of Trust Leadership helps putting your people in control
(b) Management projecting their own interests more than that of
their employees
Limited expenses on labour results in semi skilled people
(c) Emphasis on results & gains at the expense of the employees
(Work extraction without compensation)
(d) Management by objectives, without focus on empowerment
and improvement of the infrastructure
Remedy - conscience keepers, whistle blowers, ombudsman
3. Attitude
Poor attitude of the employees set in due to
(a) Low morale of the employees because of dissatisfaction and
downsizing
(b) Absence of grievance redressal mechanism,
(c) Lack of promotion or career development policies or denied
promotions,
(d) Lack of transparency,
(e) Absence of recognition and reward system,
(f) Poor working environments
Remedy - promote positive attitudes among the employees
a. ethics training for all - recognizing ethical conduct in work place
b. include ethics in performance appraisal
c. Encourage open discussion on ethical issues
d. ethical standards must be set and adopted by the management
e. Get input from all personnel on your ethical standards
f. Create a good system of internal communication
Some cases where ethics kept in abeyance(moral issues)
An inspector finds a faulty part in the manufacture of a machine,
But his superior, takes this as a minor mistake and ordered to use
the faulty part so that the delay can be avoided. But the inspector
doesn’t want this and so he is threatened by the supervisor
An Industry applies for a permit to start a X-ray radiography
facility. Licensing authority - enquire the emergency measures for
safety of the surroundings - about the alarm system and
arrangements in local hospitals for the treatment of radiographers
- no plan for the surrounding people – unethical in engineers
part
A Yarn Dyeing company - dumps its wastes in the nearby river -
damages to the people those who are using the river - The plant
engineers are aware of this - do not change the disposal method
because their competitors also doing similarly – cheaper -
responsibility of the local govern – unethical in engineers
part Only careful reflection and discerning judgment can
adequately resolve such potential conflicts
Types of inquiry
Inquiry means an investigation
aims on either of these
1. augmenting knowledge 2. resolving doubt 3. solving a problem.
Uses of enquiry -
Issues can be resolved
clear understanding of the issue
to arrive at ethical decision
Three types of inquiries.
1. Normative Inquiries
2. Conceptual Inquiries
3. Factual or Descriptive Inquiries
Normative Inquiry
Normative Inquiry refers to what one ought to do under a
specific circumstance. (Normative ethics is the study of what one
should or should not do)
 seeks to identify the morally-desirable norms
 justify standards that guide individuals and groups
 theoretical goal of justifying particular moral judgments
 A normative question is one that asks “what should be” (a
subjective condition) — Therefore the basis of the question is
subjectivity i.e subject to interpretation
 Normative questions consists of subjectivity and goal of
justifying moral judgment.
(e.g) When should an engineer have to alarm their employers on
dangerous practices? (subjective condition - is subject to
interpretation) engineer’s interpretation on dangerous practice
Normative inquiries also have the theoretical goal of justifying
moral judgments – to stop the dangerous process
Normative inquiries also quote
 the laws and procedures that affect the engineering practice on
moral grounds
 the thought process where the moral rights are to be
implemented in order to fulfill their professional obligations
Factual / Descriptive Inquiries
 It is aimed to obtain facts needed for understanding and
resolving value issues
 providing the information regarding the engineering practice,
history of engineering profession, the effectiveness of professional
societies, the procedures to be adopted when assessing risks and
psychological profiles of engineers
 Descriptive is defined as
giving details or something that describes
someone giving detailed account of an experience they had
(e.g) How were the benefits assessed?
Ans aims to
 understand the assessment process
 Once known its effectiveness and the role of Engineers in the
process & method he followed will be known – should be ethical.
Conceptual Inquiries
Describe the meaning of concepts, principles, and issues related
to Engineering Ethics. Tries to find the underlying concept
conceptual issues are not always clear-cut and will often result in
controversy
(e.g) conceptually it must be determined if the gift of tickets to a
sporting event by a potential supplier of parts for your project is
meant to influence your decision or is just a nice gesture between
friends
Inquiries required for this determination – Conceptual inquiries
The following are some of the questions of conceptual inquiries:

1. What does it mean when codes of ethics say engineers should

protect the safety, health and welfare of the public?
Moral dilemma
Dilemmas are situations in which moral reasons come into
conflict,
 the application of moral values are problems,
 one is not clear of the immediate choice or solution of the
problems.
 Moral dilemma involves a situation with opposed obligations
that cannot all be satisfied
Conflicting Moral reasons could be either any of these or
combinations
1. rights 2. duties 3. goods 4. obligations
MD don’t mean that things had gone wrong, but they only indicate
the presence of moral complexity
This makes the decision complex.
(e.g) a promise to a friend & commitment to a relative — one has
to fix the priority.
There are some difficulties in arriving at the solution to the
problems, in dilemma
The three complex situations leading to moral dilemmas are
1. The problem of vagueness:
unable to distinguish between good and bad (right or
wrong)
(e.g) There is no sharp boundary demarcating the category
of bald men (no precise number of hairs separating the bald
from others). Sol: follow precedence
2. The problem of conflicting reasons
One is unable to choose between two good moral solutions.
(e.g) poor stealing a bread to feed a kid, euthanasia
One has to fix priority, through knowledge or value system
3. The problem of disagreement:
There may be two or more solutions and none of them
mandatory. These solutions may be better or worse in some
respects but not in all aspects
(e.g) Mahatma Gandhi & SC Bose in freedom fight
One has to interpret, apply different moral reasons, and
analyse and rank the decisions
Select the best suitable, under the existing and the most
probable condition

Resolving Moral Dilemmas /Moral problems

a) One moral principle (honesty) can have two or more
conflicting applications (hatred) for a particular given
situation
(e.g) Informing misbehaviors of your friend’s to his parents
b) Weigh the values of solution
c) Follow golden rule (An act is moral if you treat others the way
you would wish to be treated)
d) An act is moral if, you fulfill your duties; if there is conflict,
fulfill the duty to which you are most obligated
e) An act is moral if, in doing it, you don’t invite a major evil to
you or anyone else and if you don’t invite risk or permit a
minor evil to yourself or anyone
f) The moral dilemmas cannot easily be addressed or resolved;
always requires an elaborate searching for moral disposition

To find a solution to moral problems in the field of engineering

I. Engineers should have good idea on ethics
II. Decisions should always safe guard Public safety, health &
welfare
iii. Shall act in accordance with their professional ethics
guidelines
Moral Autonomy
self-governing or self-determining, i.e without the
influence/distortion of others
It doesn't mean - have the right to do whatever want - disobey
laws and regulations
Apply moral thinking to situations that arise in professional
engineering practice
It is concerned with independent attitude of a person related to
moral /ethical issues

 It helps to improve self-determination among the individuals
It deals with the improvement of an individual’s moral thoughts
which make him to adopt good habits
Moral autonomy is a skill and habit of thinking ethical
problems in a rational manner/logical way
Moral autonomy will strengthen professional values (honesty,
respect the colleagues and think for the welfare of the general
public)
Skill required for moral autonomy
Ability to relate the problems with the law, economics and
religious principles
(e.g) replacing a place of worship while land acquisition
Must have the competence to identify the moral problems,
ethical issues related to the field of engineering
Must possess the skills of understanding, clarifying and
assessing the arguments which are against the moral issues
 Must have the ability to suggest solutions to moral issues, on
the basis of facts.
Suggestions must be consistent and must include all the
aspects of the problem
Must have the imaginative skill to view the problems from all
view points and also be able to suggest a proper alternative
solution
Tolerance while giving moral judgment, which may cause
trouble
Skills for Improving Moral Autonomy
 Patience
 Knowledge
 Moral honesty
Kohlberg Theory
Lawrence Kohlberg - a psychology professor at Harvard
University 1970
conducted studies on Moral Development and proposed a
theory known as Kohlberg’s theory
The research performed with very young children as subjects

Postulates of the theory

People progress in moral reasoning based on their ethical
behaviour (speech, etiquettes, respect, mannerism, style etc)
Moral reasoning gives us principles for deciding what to
believe and accept as knowledge
Children can make moral decisions about what is right and
wrong from a young age; this makes morality fundamental to
the human condition
The steps of the thinking process to make a judgment show
the moral development of the thinker
 Theory based on the thinking of younger children throughout
their growing period as adults
The younger children make judgment based on the
consequences that might occur (eg) home works
The older children make judgment based on their
intuitions(understanding without reasoning)
(e.g) Ignoring advices

Lawrence Kohlberg developed three main levels of moral

development based on the kinds of reasoning and motivation
adopted by individuals with regard to moral questions

Level 1: Pre-conventional Morality

can be further divided into two stages:
a. obedience and punishment
b. Instrumental Relativist Orientation
Stage 1: Punishment- Obedience Orientation
First level of moral thinking, which is generally found at
Elementary school level

use of punishment so that the person refrains from doing the

action and continues to obey the rules.
( we follow the law because we do not want to go to jail)

Stage 2: Instrumental Relativist Orientation

Morality of an action is judged based on how it satisfies the
individual needs of the doer.
Right behaviour means acting in one's own best interests

(e.g) a person steals money from another person because he

needs money to buy food for his hungry children.
In Kohlberg’s theory, the children tend to say that this action is
morally right because of the serious need of the doer
Level 2: Conventional Morality
The second level of morality consists of stages 3&4 of moral
development.
Conventional morality includes the society and societal roles in
judging the morality of an action

Stage 3: Good Boy-Nice Girl Orientation

An action is judged based on the societal roles and social
expectations. This is also known as the “interpersonal
relationships” phase.
(e.g) a child gives away her lunch to a street peasant because she
thinks doing so means being nice

Stage 4: Law and Order Orientation

This stage includes respecting the authorities and following the
rules, as well as doing a person’s duty
The society is the main consideration of a person at this stage
(e.g) We are the part of society
(e.g) a policeman refuses the money offered to him and arrests
the offender because he believes this is his duty as an officer of
peace and order

Level 3: Post-conventional Morality

includes stage 5 and stage 6 - concerned with the universal
principles that relation to the action done

Stage 5 : Social Contract Orientation

the person is looking at various opinions & values of different
people before coming up with the decision on the morality of the
action.
In this stage the individual acts with an understanding that laws
are created by people coming together for the common good, and
that these same people can change these laws if new demands or
conditions arise
Thus, laws are not rigid, but need to be flexible and accommodate
new circumstances.
.
This is achieved through majority decision and inevitable
compromise.
Democratic government is theoretically based on stage five
reasoning

Stage 6 : Universal Ethical Principles Orientation

In this stage universally accepted ethical principles are
considered while judging the morality of an action
The judgment may become inherent and may even violate the
laws and rules as the person becomes attached to his own
principles of justice
E.g. human rights, justice and equality. The person will be
prepared to act to defend these principles even if it is against the
rest of society in the process and having to pay the
consequences of disapproval and or imprisonment.
Kohlberg doubted few people reached this stage
Caorl Gilligan - students of Kohlberg
On the basis of her studies and researches, criticizes Kohlberg’s
theory
1. “ the theory is based on male bias and his studies are of
typically male preoccupation(thinking) with general rules and
rights”
2. Carol Gilligan felt that Lawrence Kohlberg did not address
gender differences in moral development
Views of Caorl Gilligan
 men are interested in resolving moral dilemmas by applying
moral rules
 women always keep up the personal relationship with all those
involved in a situation and they always give attention to the
circumstances responsible for that critical situation and not on
general moral rules
 Kohlberg’s theory is only on ethics of rules and rights.
 But her theory is known as ethics of care.(context oriented
importance required to maintain the personal relationship)
 Her’s based on relationships and feelings of care and
responsibility for others
Gilligan reframed Kohlberg’s three levels of moral development on
the basis of her own studies of women, as follows
Pre-conventional Level
A person in this stage cares for oneself to ensure survival
Though the person’s attitude is selfish, this is the transition
phase, where the person finds the connection between oneself
and others
The Conventional Level
This level differs from Kohlberg’s second level.
•In this stage, the person feels responsible and shows care
towards other people.
•Carol Gilligan believes that this moral thinking can be identified in
the role of a mother and a wife. This sometimes leads to the
ignorance of the self.
According to her, women don’t want to hurt others and want to
help others
(i.e)women always want to give up their interests in order to help
others to fulfill their needs
The Post Conventional Level
This level is also differed from Kohlberg’s level.
•This is the stage, where the principle of care for self as well as
others, is accepted.
•However, a section of people may never reach this level.
In this level,
individual (particularly women) want to balance between caring
about other people and their interests.
The main aim here is to balance an individual’s needs with those
of others on the basis of mutual caring. This can be achieved
only through context-oriented reasoning and not by abstract
rules/thought oriented rules
According to the Carol Gilligan’s theory of moral development,
changes occur due to the change of self rather than the critical
thinking. It was stated that the post-conventional level of
Kohlberg is not attained by women.
But Carol Gilligan researched and found that the post-
conventional level of thinking/universal principle is not being
easy for women to go through because they care for the
relationships
Approx Age Stage Goal
Not listed Pre Conventional Individual survival

do Conventional Transition from

selfishness to
responsibility to others
Self sacrifice is
goodness

do Post Conventional Transition from goodness

to truth that is she is a
person too. Principle of
non violence. May never
be reached
Carol Gilligan: post-conventional level of moral thinking can be
dealt based on the two types of thinking

Gilligan’s theory is based on the two main ideas

 Care based morality (usually found in women)
 justice based morality (usually found in men)
Care-based morality is based on the following principles
1. More emphasis is given to inter-connected relationships and
universality
(e.g) rescuing one be close to you rather than a well known
person

2. Acting with a focus on avoidance of violence

(e.g) Positive social orientation, Highly developed social
skills/competencies
3. Women with this are usually interested in helping others
4. More common in girls because of their connections to their
mothers
(e.g) oxytocin hormone responsible for attachment. This is
roused by the high levels of estrogen (“female hormone”)
5. Because girls remain connected to their mothers, they are less
inclined to worry about issues of fairness/impartiality
Justice-based Morality
Justice-based morality is based on the following principles.
1. The world is composed of autonomous individuals who interact
with one another
2. Acting honestly means avoiding inequality
3. Individuals with this view are usually interested in protecting
individuality.
4. Thought to be more common among boys because of their
need to differentiate between themselves and their mothers
5. Because they are separated from their mothers, boys become
more concerned with the concept of inequality.
The Carol Gilligan’s theory can be better understood if explained
with an example
Williams, G. (2013). A case analysis of Olivia: Applying Gilligan’s
theory of women’s moral development. Palmetto Practitioner,
(Spring 2013). Retrieved from
www.sccpaweb.org/palmettopractitioner/spring2013/index.htm)
How justice based morality applies to Gilligan’s theory?
Individuality is preserved – no compromise
The conflict between self and other constitutes the central moral
problem for women, posing a dilemma
Resolution for this requires a reconciliation/reunion between
femininity and adulthood.
For Gilligan Justice -being fair – is a subcategory of moral actions.
Gilligan’s attempt is to integrate Justice and Care on equal terms.
i.e “The justice perspective is recast as one way of seeing moral
problems
Care perspective is brought forward as an alternate vision/frame”
(e.g) moles and the porcupine
not a resolution of the conflict, it is a verdict – JBMa way around
the problem/to remove the problem completely CBM
Consensus and Controversy
Moral autonomy of individual encourage him to deliver judgment
on moral issues.
The judgment may not be well received by all the stake holders -
The moral judgment may lead to conflicts – if they hurt the
feelings of the persons involved.
There are two stages after the judgment
leading to consensus and controversy
moral judgment contains
a subject who will judge,
an object whose action will be judged, and
a standard in accordance with which the action of the subject will
be judged
The stages are described below

Consensus state
- people come into agreement with the judgement given
- getting convinced with the moral reasons
- persons feel that justice has been done

Controversy state
- persons involved are not satisfied by the verdict and might feel
that it was decided on partial interests
- people feel dissatisfaction that justice was not done
-which might lead to another conflict
The decision makers will face similar situations
= the goal of teaching engineering ethics not merely enforcing
moral principles among engineers
= to reveal the ways of promoting tolerances to apply moral
autonomy
Theories about right action/Ethical theories
The ethical theories are useful in
1. In understanding moral dilemma
2. Providing practical guidance in moral issues to find solution
3. Justifying professional obligations and decisions
4. Relating ordinary and professional morality
Expectations in a best theory
1. must be clear with concepts that are logically connected.
2. None of its principles conflicts with any other
3. The theory and its defense must depend only upon facts
4. must fix priority of values and provide guidance in all situations
5. must provide guidance inline with our moral convictions/
(judgments) about concrete situations
(e.g) If theory says doesn’t matter for engineers making
explosive devices without the informed consent of the public; -
the theory is in adequate
6. Theories aim for the welfare of the humanity
(e.g)The duty ethics and right ethics differ in their emphasis but
are complementary
you have the right to free speech, but so does everyone around
you. Even if someone is saying something you do not agree
with, you have a duty to respect his right to say it
Utilitarian Theory
This approach weighs the costs and benefits
Right actions are the ones that produce greatest satisfaction to
affected persons
For finding a solution as per this we have to consider the
following
(a) Identify the various courses of action available to us
(b) Estimate who will be affected by each action and what
benefits or harms will be derived from each action.
(c) Choose the action that will produce the greatest benefits
and the least harm
(e.g) trolly – school of thought – utilitarianism
(e.g) stealing an old computer from the employer will benefit
the employee more than the loss to the employer. As per
utilitarian this action is right. But rule utilitarian observes
this as wrong, because the employee should act as faithful
agent or trustee of the employees

(a) Two types of theory - act utilitarian & rule utilitarian

(b) Act utilitarians focus on the effects of individual actions
(c) rule utilitarians focus on the effects of types of actions
Act utilitarian theory
- a person's act is morally right if and only if it produces the best
possible results in that specific situation
- (e.g) sputtering hand grenade to save your country men in
wartime
- The act utilitarian theory permitted a few immoral actions (not
neutral)

Rule utilitarian theory

- establishes morality and justice, in the transactions
- is a form of utilitarianism that says an action is right as it
conforms to a rule that leads to the greatest good
(e.g) road rules are an example of rule utilitarianism
One objection to rule-utilitarianism - in some situations the utility
of breaking a certain rule could be greater than keeping it
(e.g) doctors lie to fatally ill patients
Duty Ethics [proposed by Immanuel Kant:(1724-1804)
It states, that actions are consequences of performance of one’s
duties
(e.g) We work(performance)for earning money to lead a better
life(action)
In this Theory stress is on the universal principle of respect for
autonomy
As per Kant we have duties to ourselves, as we are
rational(logical) & autonomous beings
Ethical duties must not be externally enforced
Come through one’s own reason and the feelings and motives
arising a priori (derived ideas) from rational capacities
(e.g) duty to develop our talents and a duty to avoid harmful drugs

Kant insisted that moral duties are categorical and absolute

essential
They are commands that we impose on ourselves as well as other
rational beings
(e.g)we should be honest because honesty is required by duty
Businessman is to be honest because honesty pays —in terms of
profits from customers and from avoiding jail for dishonest

Later John Rawl proposed two basic moral principles;

(1) each person is entitled to the most extensive amount of liberty
compatible with an equal amount for others (freedom ends nose
starts)
(2) differences in social power and economic benefits are justified
only when they are likely to benefit every one
(e.g) the free enterprise is permissible so far it provides the capital
needed to invest and prosper, thereby making job opportunities to
the public and taxes to fund the government spending on the
welfare schemes on the poor people
C.W.D. Ross, introduced the term prima facie duties - means
duties having strong presumption of doing it. In fact, most duties
are prima facie ones;
1) Gratitude : duty to thank those who help us
2) Justice : duty to recognize merit
3) Self-improvement : duty to improve virtue and intelligence
This theory is criticized - not providing guideline for moral duties

3. Rights Theory (Immanuel Kant – 18th Centuary)

1. Rights are entitlement to act or to have another individual act in
a certain way
2. Rights serve as a protective barrier, shielding individuals from
unjustified violation by others
3. For every right, we have a corresponding duty of non
interference
(e.g) food security, housing, economic well being - rights
more production, fund generation, job creation - duty
human beings are having dignity: based on their ability to choose
freely what they will do with their lives - they have a fundamental
right to have these choices
(e.g) rights to speak, right to live, right to follow any principles etc

Other rights he advocated are:

1. The right to access the truth: We have a right to be told the truth
and to be informed about matters that significantly affect our
choices
(e.g) RTI act
2. The right of privacy: We have the right to do, believe & say
whatever we choose in our personal lives so long as we don’t
violate the rights of others
(e.g) right to any religion, right to do jobs of our intertest
3. The right not to be injured: We have the right not to be harmed
or injured unless we freely and knowingly do something to
deserve punishment or we freely and knowingly choose to risk
such injuries (e.g) accidental cut while sharpening with knife
4. The right to what is agreed by those with whom we have
entered into a contract or agreement
(e.g) contract agreement
4. The Virtue Theory (proposed by Mac Intyre)
•emphasizes on the character rather than the rights or duties
•highlightes on the actions aimed at achieving common good
social justice, promotion of health, creation of useful and safe
technological products and services
For professionals
Five types of virtues that constitute responsible
professionalism,
1. public-spirited virtues
2. proficiency virtues(talent and intellect of an engineer)
3. team-work virtues(working successfully with other
professionals)
4. self-governance virtues(commitment, courage, self-discipline,
perseverance, self-respect and integrity)
5. cardinal virtues [wisdom, justice, fortitude(mental and
emotional strength in facing difficulty, adversity, danger), and
temperance(self control in action)
5. Self-realisation Ethics
The theory of self-realization = a life of excellence is based on
the actualization of human potentialities
Aristotle “ we have the natural purpose to develop our
rationality/being based on reason to a degree”,
self-realization is that a life of excellence is based on the
actualization of human potentialities (e.g) Albert Einstein
self actualization = to be in touch with your inner self and have a
full understanding of your emotions and needs
-One will realize his potential only when he makes use of that in
life to the maximum
Usefulness
will allow you to unleash your full potential and become the
person you want to be
 Will make you more self-confident, mindful, and focused
lets you connect with your inner self and the people around you
on a profound level

Models of professional roles

1. Engineering is to improve the public safety, wealth and welfare
2. The engineers have to play various models
3. To channelize his attitudes towards the achievements of
objectives
Savior, Guardian, Bureaucratic Servant, Social Servant, Social
Enabler and catalyst, Game changer
1. Savior
The engineers are responsible safe guarding public from poverty,
illiteracy, ill health, inefficiency, waste and manual labour and poor
living standard
This can only be achieved through technological developments
made by the engineers (e.g) M. Visvesvaraya, G.D Naidu
2. Guardian
Engineers are guardians as they aim for better safety of the
society act as guardians to the technological improvements to
safe guard public from technical calamity
(e.g Data security, privacy concerns, Digital Media Manipulation
etc.)
3. Bureaucratic Servant
Engineers - middle management position
He serves the organization and the employers
The management fixes its goals and assigns the job of problem
solving to the engineer
accepts the challenge and create concrete achievements
Engineer receives and translates the directive of management into
better achievement
4. Social Servant
Engineers aims to help people develop their skills and their ability
to use their resources and those of the community to resolve
problems and improve well being
Engineers have to exhibit social responsibility (safety, health,
wealth)
Engineer translates the interest and aspirations of the society into
a reality. He is a social servant & his true master is the society at
large
5. Social enabler and Catalyst
-changes the society through technology
-The engineer must assist the management and the society to
understand their needs and make informed decisions on the
desirable technological development
-minimize the negative effects of technology on people and
environment .He is a social enabler and a catalyst for the growth
6. Game Changer
Engineers innovate society by technology development
Tech development improves Gross Domestic Product
They are playing the economic game rules which may be
effective at a given time
-Aims to play successfully and enjoying the happiness of
technological work and the satisfaction of winning and moving
ahead in a competitive world
-For example, Narayanamurthy, Infosys & DOS/ISRO

SELF – INTEREST, CUSTOMS AND RELIGION

self-interest - taking care of yourself but not at the expense of
others.
- to a focus on the needs or desires (interests) of the self
(e.g) thinking about your needs above the needs of others
Self-interest is necessary for your economic and career success
Selfishness - minimize sacrifice and maximize current payoff
- satisfying your own needs at the expense of others.
Adam Smith: “the best economic benefit for all can usually be
accomplished when individuals act in their own self-interest”
self-interest & competition - important economic forces
Self-interest is the motivator of economic activity
(e.g)self-interested people are competing in the marketplace
Competition is the regulator of economic activity
(e.g)competition restrains in taking advantage from customers

“Economic success can occur only at the expense of others”

If you are acting in your own self-interest, you are compensated
financially for providing a desirable service/product
self – interest must be balanced and kept under control by moral
responsibilities for the betterment of other people
(e.g) Shiv Nadar Foundation - pursues creative philanthropy. –
supports rural education & scholarships for underprivileged
students to study abroad
(e.g)Rattan TATA - education, medical or causes related to rural
development
you prosper as the result of helping other people
Selfish people don’t care the means to get money - have no
ethics, morals, or standards
- main focus is only what’s in it for them
At times selfish individuals may appear to profit, it’s only in the
short term and not sustainable

Religion
“ a pursuit or interest followed with great devotion”
“Religion is a means to ultimate transformation”
"Religion is the belief in Spiritual Beings"
Moral responsibilities and religious belief are intertwined in many
positive ways

 Religion has a limited role to play in developing a sense of

ethics
 The role of critical and independent thinking is important in
developing a sense of ethical responsibility, but religions tend not
to emphasize
 Religions give a list of 'do's' and 'don'ts' that the faithful need to
follow
 But it does not provide much explanation as to why these rules
should be followed
Views of Kant
 Kant defended the idea of God as a basic requirement of ethics
 Kant believed virtue(high morale) should be rewarded by
happiness
 It would be intolerable if high morale were not rewarded
 Many times virtue goes unrewarded in the present life
 Virtue must receive its due in a future life as soul is immortal
 There must be a God guaranteeing that it is so rewarded
Belief in India
- God, the creator, sustainer and destroyer of universe,
- With unlimited power, infinite knowledge, omnipresent, perfect
goodness, divine simplicity, and eternal
 The existence of God and the immortality of the soul were what
Kant called the postulates of practical reason
 Without this idea ethics and a moral life would not be possible
 Most of our epics & scriptures were authored/dictated by God
 The commands in them are God's own commands
 cannot be changed due to circumstances change/ethical ideas
progress
Role of religion in moral decision-making
 basic moral sentiments - directly connected to religious ideology
 According to the ancient codes of conduct murder & adultery
are always wrong, regardless of circumstances were also
following these traditions
 Most major world religions echo these sentiments
 Ethics and Morality also accepts that murder & adultery are
always wrong,
regardless of circumstances
Religion helps to improve the following
 individual behaviour & conduct
 strengthen family values & moral behaviour
 Drugs, alcoholic misuse can be curbed and tendency to be kind
will flourish
Same is emphasized in moral & ethics

Many religions include virtue ethics that stresses about particular

virtues
 epics- Ramayana, Nala Charitham Ideal human traits, Truth &
Honesty
 Christianity focuses in the virtue of hope, faith and love
 Buddhism emphasizes a feeling of pity (compassion)
 Islam pressures “insane” (being religious and excellence)
Religious set standards sometimes below the level of acceptable
moral standards
By giving stress on the positive connections between secular
morality & religion, we go for defining Divine Command ethics
Religions such as Buddhism, Taoism and Confucianism calls for
only faith in a right path from which code of ethics can be derived
For example in Buddhism the right path included eight steps such
as
right understanding, right intention,
right action, right livelihood, right effort,
right mindfulness and right concentration

Engineers following religious requirements will shape a better

moral character
good leadership quality
generous living
charity in action

This virtues will definitely be rewarded and should be within one’s

life time