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Topic 4 Engineering Ethics

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12 views14 pages

Topic 4 Engineering Ethics

Uploaded by

aerisyong38
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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4.

Engineering Ethics
Learning Objectives
 Explain why engineers should be ethical
 List the canons in the NSPE Code of Ethics
 Identify the correct ethical choices in engineering
applications

4-2
Moral, Ethics and Engineering Ethics
 Moral and ethics are part of behavior aspect of a person,
related person’s “right” or “wrong” conduct
 ethics refer to rules provided by an external source, e.g.,
codes of conduct in workplaces or principles in religions.
 Morals refer to an individual’s own principles regarding
right and wrong.
 Ethics are not always moral and vice visa.
 Engineering ethics are a special set of high standard ethical
code practiced in engineering profession and govern and regulate
engineers’ behaviour related with their profession activities

4-3
Moral vs Ethics
Ethics Moral
What are The rules of conduct recognized in Principles or habits with respect to
they respect to a particular class of human right or wrong conduct. While morals
actions or a particular group or also prescribe dos and don'ts, morality
culture. is ultimately a personal compass of
right and wrong.
Where do Social system - External Individual - Internal
they come
from
Why we do Because society says it is the right thing Because we believe in something being
it? to do right or wrong.
Flexibility Ethics are dependent on others for Usually consistent, although can change
definition. They tend to be consistent if an individual’s beliefs change
within a certain context, but can vary
between contexts

Acceptability Ethics are governed by professional and Morality transcends cultural norms
legal guidelines within a particular
time and place
4-4
Why Engineering Ethics?
 Engineering affect public safety, health and welfare
 As not easy to understand engineering work by the public,
the public trust in engineer must not demolished by
unethical behavior
 Codes of engineering ethics identify a specific precedence
with respect to the engineer's consideration for the public,
clients, employers, and the profession.
 Though different engineering profession may have different
set of ethical code, all of them will address:
 Obligation to society
 Responsibility of engineers
 Whistleblowing
4-5
 Conduct
Engineer’s conduct address:
 Relationships with clients, consultants, competitors, and
contractors
 Ensuring legal compliance by clients, client's contractors,
and others
 Conflict of interest
 Bribery and kickbacks, which also may include:
 Gifts, meals, services, and entertainment
 Treatment of confidential or proprietary information
 Consideration of the employer’s assets
 Outside employment/activities (Moonlighting)

4-6
NSPE’s Fundamental Canons of Ethics
 Engineers shall hold paramount the safety, health, and welfare
of the public
 Engineers shall perform service only in the area of their own
competence
 Engineers shall issue public statements only in objective and
truthful manner
 Engineers shall act for each employer or client as faithful
agent
 Engineers shall avoid deceptive acts
 Engineers shall conduct themselves honourably, responsibly,
ethically, and lawfully so as to enhance the honour,
reputation, and usefulness of the profession

4-7
 Code of Ethics from the American Society of civil engineers

Example of code  Hold safety paramount


of ethics  Service with competence
 Issue true statements
 Act as a faithful agent
 Reputation by merit
 Uphold professional honour
 Continue professional development
 Treat all persons fairly
ETHICAL THERORIES TO
ENGINEERING
 Utilitarianism

 This is a belief that actions


are right if they are useful or
beneficial to the majority of
people.
 Maximize the overall good
that you can do, taking into
account all of those that will
be affected by your actions.
Duty ethics
 Respecting another person’s • Applying engineering ethics is
autonomy all about trying to balance
 Builds on rights ethics, but these ethical theories with
focus on your duties, rather whatever situation you are put
than another person’s rights in.
Engineering Ethics case study
Kansas City Hyatt Walkway Collapse
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VnvGwFegbC8
What would you do if you notice the
building build based on your design
might fall?

Citicorp Tower case


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oUImgTJ
HJOw
Many things can go wrong because of
fundamental ethical problems

Space Shuttle challenger disaster


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OomSth3zGBs
4. Engineering Ethics

Thank you

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