Ee 394 Ethics Essay

Liam Gossman
Professor Prouty
CprE/EE 394
12/08/2022
Engineering Ethics Essay
The discussion of ethics in engineering is an important one to be had. Engineering as a
field is responsible for the invention and improvement of countless goods and services. With
such an integral role in the creation and maintenance of so many important subjects it is vitally
important as engineers to recognize how and where our services are applied. The world is a
complex place and there are many issues in it that are not easily identifiable as black and white.
The purpose of the engineering code of ethics is to outline clear steps to avoid these issues as
well as how to address them when they arise. Engineers possess the skills necessary to perform
potentially vital and dangerous work, so it is equally vital that engineers understand how to
properly conduct themselves in the workplace.
Ethics as a concept in the workplace is certainly not new. People almost universally
agree that harming others or facilitating the harm of others is an immoral act and will attempt to
avoid these scenarios unless they feel justified in doing so. When I am faced with an issue in the
workplace I often consider the problem from 3 perspectives. I think about how this will affect
myself, my coworkers, and my customers as well as considering how each of these groups would
go about fixing the problem if it were up to them. Going through this thought process allows me
to take different perspectives into account, giving me different options for a solution and
ensuring that a fix for one party will not be a problem for another. Engineering is unique in the
fact that seemingly innocent problems can have drastic consequences. For example, one article
discussed in the contemporary issues module focused on the pressures put on engineers in the
workplace and how they can affect their mental health. Obviously mental stress is not a positive
feature for any job, but it is considerably more dangerous for an engineer due to their
responsibilities. Engineers are accountable for the products they create and approve as well as
the potential harm that might come about because of those products. Stress brought on by a poor
work environment, project deadlines, high-stakes decisions, and other work related factors can
affect an engineer’s ability to properly and ethically perform their jobs. The jobs we perform are
important and we will be pushed to produce acceptable results every time. Engineers might be
tempted to take shortcuts in some areas in order to make up for others. A manager might forgo
safety equipment to meet budget demands, or a worker might skip a safety test in order to meet
an upcoming deadline. Engineers have a moral obligation to ensure that the work they perform or
approve is safe and reliable for the people that will be affected by it. Failing to address
work-related mental health issues can lead to problems performing or recognizing these
necessary obligations. My classmates expressed their agreement with the reasoning of the article
regarding the problem and offered potential solutions such as good communication, positive
work environments, and offering mental health resources. I definitely agree with the options
given by my classmates and think personal care is an important issue all engineers need to
recognize. This issue is a good illustration of several Virtues of Ethics, specifically integrity,
responsibility, and self-discipline. Integrity describes exercising good ethical judgment and
ensuring that engineers are mentally fit and alert is the best way for them to do so. Responsibility
describes taking accountability for one’s own moral obligations. Engineers can be responsible by
actively seeking to improve their mental health instead of pushing it aside and allowing it to
become a problem. Self-discipline describes knowing one’s limits and having personal and
professional balance. This plays a large role in maintaining stress levels and dealing with
problems in the workplace. While the other 3 virtues can certainly play parts in this matter
regarding ethical choices, I believe that integrity, self-discipline, and responsibility address the
matter more directly and offer clear advice on how to deal with the issue.
Ethical issues are far more complex and important than many might first think. Of
course there are obvious situations where choices would require little thought, but there are also
many scenarios where people might hesitate or misjudge. It is important as engineers that we
follow strict ethical guidelines to avoid these scenarios as the consequences for misjudging are
far greater in our line of work. Focusing on ourselves is just as important as checking in on those
around us when ensuring proper ethics are being practiced in the workplace. Engineers must
strive to put the needs and safety of others before themselves.

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Liam Gossman

Engineering Ethics Essay

The discussion of ethics in engineering is an important one to be had. Engineering as a

properly conduct themselves in the workplace.

strive to put the needs and safety of others before themselves.

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