NPTEL Online Certification Courses

Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur

Course Name: Ethics in Engineering Practice

Assignment - Week 1
TYPE OF QUESTION: MCQ/MSQ

Number of questions: 10 Total marks: 10 X 1 = 10

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QUESTION 1:

How does a person develop the ability to make moral choices?

A) By understanding his motives
B) By understanding the consequences of his actions
C) By being deterred and frightened of the penalties incurred on him for his action
D) By understanding the means adopted to execute action

a) 1,2 and 3
b) 1,3 and 4
c) 1,2,3 and 4
d) 1, 2 and 4

Correct Answer: d
Detailed Answer: Moral decisions are outcomes of one’s own motives, his understanding of the
actions and its consequences, and, the ways, methods adopted to execute the action.
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QUESTION 2:

Mr. Arjun Kumar, an intellectual property rights expert, was explaining to his client Ms. Kavita
Sharma, regarding the much-hyped case; Kavita Sharma vs. The State, the case which has been
the center of attraction for all media houses and the public at large. The case marks the ongoing
legal battle between Ms. Kavita and the state government regarding some patent issue. Mr.
Kumar, by utilizing his specialized knowledge and years of experience, explained to Ms. Kavita
in detail why she would undeniably win this case. The views shared by Mr. Kumar on Ms.
Kavita’s anticipated legal win can be technically referred to as a(n):
a) Reasoned Judgment
b) Value Judgement
c) Expert Opinion
d) None of these
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Correct Answer: c
Detailed Answer: The views shared by Mr. Kumar are expert opinions because he has
experience in dealing with intellectual property rights cases. A value judgment is any judgment
that can be expressed in the form “X is good/superior/meritorious/worthy/desirable” or “X is
bad/inferior/without merit/worthless/undesirable,” at least in some respects. Refer to week 1
slide 14.

QUESTION 3:

Ethics plays a crucial role in all aspects of life, but it holds particular significance in the
engineering profession. In this context, identify which of the following statements are true about
Engineering Ethics? (Select the most appropriate options)
1) Engineering Ethics is an area of practical or applied ethics
2) The aim of Engineering Ethics is to illuminate the ethical dimensions of engineering
practice
3) Engineering Ethics is constituted of an eclectic contribution of all schools of ethics
4) Professional Engineering Societies are a major source of codes for engineering ethics.

a) Only 2
b) All of 1,2,3,4
c) Only 1 and 4
d) None of these

Correct Answer: b
Detailed Answer:
Engineering ethics relate to the study of the moral issues and decisions confronting individuals
and organizations involved in engineering. It is the study of related questions about moral
conduct, character, policies, and relationships of people and corporations involved in
technological activity.

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QUESTION 4:
_________________ is the individual credited with championing ______________ utilitarianism
most effectively, believing that many common moral rules such as don’t steal, be honest, and
don’t harm others, provide a strong foundation for promoting this type of utilitarianism.
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Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur

a) John Stuart Mill (1806–1873), Rule

b) John Locke (1632–1704), Rule
c) John Locke (1632–1704), Act
d) None of these

Correct Answer: a

Detailed Answer:
Act utilitarianism focuses on individual actions rather than on rules. The best known proponent
of act utilitarianism was John Stuart Mill (1806–1873), who felt that most of the common rules
of morality (e.g., don’t steal, be honest, don’t harm others) are good guidelines derived from
centuries of human experience.

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QUESTION 5:

Indicate whether the following statement is true or false: According to McCuen’s ethical
dimension, loyalty to a company is entirely separate from loyalty to the profession, and good
engineering practices may not necessarily benefit the profession, but societal concerns are
given importance.

a) False
b) True

Correct Answer: a
Detailed Answer: Loyalty to company is connected to loyalty to the profession.Good
engineering is good for the profession, but the societal concerns are not emphasized.It precisely
represent Level 2 stage 4 of McCuen’s ethical dimension.
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QUESTION 6:
Identify the True/ False statements

S1: A code of ethics is a legal document.

S2: A code of ethics creates avenues for new moral or ethical principles.
S3: A code of ethics only a framework for arriving at good ethical choices.
S4: A code defines the roles and responsibilities of professionals.

a) S1-F, S2-F, S3-T,S4-F

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b) S1-F, S2-F, S3-F,S4-T

c) S1-T, S2-F, S3-T,S4-T
d) S1-F, S2-F, S3-T,S4-T

Correct Answer: d
Detailed Answer:
Codes of ethics are not limited to professional organizations. They can also be found, for
example, in corporations and universities as well. A code defines the roles and responsibilities of
professionals. A code of ethics is never a substitute for sound judgment. A code of ethics is not a
legal document. A code of ethics doesn’t create new moral or ethical principles.

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QUESTION 7:

Implementing public health policies is a perfect example of _____________.

a) Utilitarianism
b) Independent approach
c) Rights ethics
d) None of these

Correct Answer: a

Detailed Answer: Utilitarianism is an ethical theory that emphasizes the greatest good for the
greatest number of people. Public health policies are designed to benefit the health and well-
being of the majority of the population, even if they impose restrictions or require sacrifices from
individuals. This approach aligns with the core principle of utilitarianism, which seeks to
maximize overall happiness and minimize suffering.
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QUESTION 8:
In which of the following, the ultimate overall good of the actions is not taken into account?

1. Duty Ethics
2. Rights Ethics
3. Utilitarianism

a) 1 and 2
b) 1 and 3
c) 2 and 3
d) None of these
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Correct Answer: a

Detailed Answer: Duty ethics contends that there are duties that should be performed (for
example, the duty to treat others fairly or the duty not to injure others) regardless of whether
these acts lead to the most good. Rights ethics emphasizes that we all have moral rights, and any
action that violates these rights is ethically unacceptable. Like duty ethics, the ultimate overall
good of the actions is not taken into account.

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QUESTION 9:

_________ holds that the rightness or wrongness of an action in a given situation depends on
whether the person performing the action believes it to be right or wrong. This perspective
suggests that ethics lack objective standards, as it prioritizes the agent's beliefs over the validity
of those beliefs.

a) Ethical Relativism
b) Ethical imperative
c) Ethical objectivism
d) None of the above

Correct Answer: a

Detailed Answer: Ethical relativism posits that moral judgments and ethical standards are based
on individual beliefs and cultural norms, rather than universal or objective criteria. According to
this view, an action is deemed right or wrong depending on the individual's or society's beliefs
about that action. This means that if the person performing the act believes it to be right, then it
is considered right in that context, regardless of any external or objective moral standards. This
perspective highlights that ethics are subjective and vary from one person or culture to another,
emphasizing the absence of universal moral truths.

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QUESTION 10:

Which of the following scenarios constitutes a violation of Professional Ethics:

1. A financial advisor who recommends investments to clients based on personal financial

gain
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2. A teacher who fabricates data to enhance the academic performance of their students
3. A software developer who knowingly includes vulnerabilities in a program for personal
gain
4. A government official who accepts bribes in exchange for awarding contracts

a) Only 1
b) Only 2, 3 and 4
c) Only 1 and 4
d) All of these

Correct Answer: d

Detailed Answer: All of the above situations are breach of Professional ethics.
Referring patients to a specialist in return for monetary favors (Option 1) violates professional
ethics in the medical field. Physicians are expected to prioritize the well-being of their patients
and make referrals based on medical necessity and the best interests of the patient, rather than
personal financial gain. Exaggerating the importance of discoveries to encourage investors
(Option 2) is unethical behavior in the scientific community. Misrepresenting research findings
for personal gain undermines the integrity of scientific inquiry and can deceive investors. Lying
to a judge (Option 3) is a clear violation of professional ethics for a lawyer. Upholding the truth
and maintaining the integrity of the legal system are fundamental principles of legal practice.
Spreading fake news (Option 4) is also unethical conduct for a reporter. Journalists have a
responsibility to report accurate and truthful information to the public. Deliberately
disseminating false information undermines the credibility of the profession and can have
harmful consequences for society.

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