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ENGINEERING ETHICS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Dr. Montasser TahatDepartment of Industrial Engineering
Umm Al-Qura University
The Subject Matter of Ethics: Moral Dilemmas
“A moral dilemma may be defined as a conflict a person experiences between two or more moral obligations in a particular circumstance.”
Joe Herkert
List of Typical Engineering Ethics Issues Involving Conflicts of Obligation
1) conflict of interest 2) public safety and welfare 3) integrity of data & representation of it 4) whistle-blowing 5) choice of a job 6) accountability to clients and customers 7) plagiarism 8) trade secrets & industrial espionage 9) gift giving & bribes 10) fair treatment
To these as well as other high-profile ethics cases we apply:
De-ontologyUtilitarianismVirtue EthicsEtc.
IEEE Code of Ethics
We, the members of the IEEE, in recognition of the importance of our technologies in affecting the quality of life throughout the world, and in accepting a personal obligation to our profession, its members and the communities we serve, do hereby commit ourselves to the highest ethical and professional conduct and agree:
1. to accept responsibility in making engineering decisions consistent with the safety, health and welfare of the public, and to disclose promptly factors that might endanger the public or the environment;
2. to avoid real or perceived conflicts of interest whenever possible, and to disclose them to affected parties when they do exist;
3. to be honest and realistic in stating claims or estimates based on available data;
4. to reject bribery in all its forms;5. to improve the understanding of technology, its appropriate application,
and potential consequences;6. to maintain and improve our technical competence and to undertake
technological tasks for others only if qualified by training or experience, or after full disclosure of pertinent limitations;
7. to seek, accept, and offer honest criticism of technical work, to acknowledge and correct errors, and to credit properly the contributions of others;
8. to treat fairly all persons regardless of such factors as race, religion, gender, disability, age, or national origin;
9. to avoid injuring others, their property, reputation, or employment by false or malicious action;
10. to assist colleagues and co-workers in their professional development and to support them in following this code of ethics.
Approved by the IEEE Board of Directors
August 1990
HISTORY OF CODES OF ETHICS
1803 First code of professional ethics
(medical ethics)(Thomas Percival)
1852 ASCE (Civil Engineering)
1880 ASME (Mechanical Engineering)
1884 AIEE (Electrical Engineering)
All these Professional Engineering Societies had CODES OF ETHICS
Engineering is
1) an art 2) a science 3) design 4) a profession 5) a business
“Engineering is the practice of making good on the promise of technology.”
the project, the endeavor, the enterprise, the venture…
Contexts of the engineering project:
Ethical Assessment of the Engineering Project must ultimately take place within the Human
Lifeworld.
The Human Lifeworld
Wherein we pursue GOALS, enact ROLES, and take up with THINGS of all sorts…
Wherein we talk to each other rather than about each other.
Characterized by a human communication called THE CONVERSATION OF THE LIFEWORLD which is IDEALLY: Mutual / Interdependent / Genuine / Open / Honest / Non-Coercive
The Micro-view of the Engineering Project
The Engineered The Engineer Engineering
person / process / product
The Engineer Engineers the Engineered.
Three Types of Ethics
VIRTUE ETHICSCare/objectivity/honesty
CONCEPTUAL ETHICSSocial Justice/Environmental Sustainability/Health & Safety
MATERIAL ETHICSEngagement/Enlivenment/Resonance
ORIGINS
VE ---- Stems from being-toward/being-with/being-for
CE ---- Stems from “health, safety, welfare” phrase in CODES of ethics
ME ---- Stems from interactions of product/end-user/world
MATERIAL ETHICS
Within the Conversation of the Lifeworld the values of resonance / engagement / enlivenment are discussed. For example, “can such and such a product be engaging tothe end-user”? “If so, how so”? “If not, why not”?
THREE LEVELS OF ADJUDICATION
VIRTUE ETHICS – corporate level
CONCEPTUAL ETHICS – professional level
MATERIAL ETHICS – social level
“What would be the major consequence of complementing theoretical and practical ethics with real ethics? It would be the realization that we make our crucial decisions not as individuals, as consumers, taxpayers, and voters who navigate their course in preestablished and rigid channels, but as citizens, and not just citizens who pass on matters of civil rights and social welfare, but as citizens who take responsibility for the large design of our culture and either make it hospitable to commanding reality or continue to thicken its suffocating overlay of disposable reality.” --- Albert Borgmann
Developed for ASCE by the
National Institute for Engineering Ethics (www.niee.org)
Murdough Center for Engineering Professionalism
College of Engineering, Texas Tech University Lubbock, Texas 79409-1023
September 2001
Presented by
Insert Presenter’s nameTitle…etc
Ethics ....
Lies at the “Core” of the Civil Engineering Profession
Environmental
WaterCIVILENGINEERIN
G
Transportation
Structures
…and many other Civil Engineering specialties
Idea for graphic based on Professional Responsibility: The Role of the Engineer, Jnl. of Science and Engineering Ethics, Vol. 3, No. 3, 1997
by Drs. Steve Nichols and Bill Weldon, UT/Austin
What is a Licensed Engineer? “Engineering Practice Act” -- to protect the health,
safety and welfare of the citizens of that state. Having an engineering license means more than just meeting a State’s minimum requirements. It means you have accepted both the technical and the ethical obligations of the engineering profession. (Ref: ASCE Policy Statement # 433)
Licensing: the product of collaboration between Industry, Government &
Education
EDUCATION GOVERNMENT
INDUSTRYProfessional Associations
ABET NCEES
State Licensing BoardsProgram Accreditation
ABET - Accreditation Board for Engineering and TechnologyNCEES - National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying
What is a Licensed Engineer?
The professional engineer license grants you the opportunity to perform engineering services for the public, take responsibility for your designs, reports, professional opinions, plans, etc., and have the privilege of applying your State-authorized engineering “seal” to your engineering work.
Engineering Licensing Jurisdictions
- United States -
All 50 states plus the District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico, Northern Marianas Islands, Marshall Islands and Virgin Islands
400,000 Licensed Engineers (U.S. Engineering Population 2,000,000)
Wyoming Enacted First Licensing Law in 1907
Montana Last State to Enact Licensing (1947)
Source: “NSPE Grows as State Licensure Laws Spread,” Engineering Times, Vol. 16, No. 2, February, 1994.
“Typical” Licensure Requirements for Civil Engineering Students
Degree from ABET-accredited program (BS, MS)
NCEES Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) Exam
Engineer-in-Training Internship (4 yrs, 3 yrs)
Application for Licensure Character References Experience Record & etc.
NCEES Principles and Practices of Engineering (PE) Exam
Licensure!
Licensing Eligibility Based on Educational and Employment
Experience
Educational Experience
Employment Experience
Fundamentals of Engineering Exam
(Sometime Waivable)
Principles and Practice of EngineeringExam (Sometime Waivable)
Time
Eligible to
Applyfor
License
Six to Eight Years is the Nominal Minimum Experience Requirement
Eng. Ph.D.
Eng. M.S.
Eng. Bachelors
OtherCollege Degrees
Engineer-In-Training
Idealized Engineering Licensure Model
ABET AccreditedEngineering Bachelor
of Science Degree [or substantially
equivalent engineering degree]
FE Exam
Fail
Engineer-inTraining
Pass 4 Yearsof
AcceptableExperience
Fail
Pass No
“LicensedProfessional
Engineer”
PE Exam
Yes
Inactive
MandatoryContinuingProfessionalCompetency
Note: The number of years of acceptable experience depend on the academic career and highest earned degree.
Civil Engineering Students are Encouraged!
Civil Engineering students are encouraged to carefully prepare for the national Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) Exam, which may be taken during the senior year
Why Should I Become Licensed?
Technical Responsibility: Your education and experience will prepare you for technical engineering work. Your license legally allows you to take personal responsibility for the engineering work that you may perform for public and private clients.
Why Should I Become Licensed?
Public Recognition: As a licensed engineer, you achieve an enhanced status in the eyes of the public, which equates you with professionals licensed in other fields such as physicians, attorneys, accountants, etc.
Why Should I Become Licensed?
Private Practice: If you think you may now, or someday, want to pursue a career as a consulting engineer, or own your own engineering firm, or be in responsible charge of engineering work for the public, you must be licensed.
Why Should I Become Licensed?
Public Practice: Many federal, state, and municipal agencies require that certain responsible engineering positions, particularly those considered “higher level,” be filled only by licensed engineers.
(Ref: ASCE Policy Statement #385)
Why Should I Become Licensed?
Changing Workplace: Today’s workplace is rapidly changing: restructuring, downsizing, privatization, and outsourcing (where firms terminate employees and then hire them back as consultants) are common. You should be prepared to face a possible transition into a consulting or contract relationship with a former employer in the event of corporate outsourcing. Such a relationship requires an engineering license.
Why Should I Become Licensed?
Ethical Responsibility: Licensure also aids you and the profession in the important area of ethics. While technical societies such ASCE and others have codes of ethics for guidance, none have “legal” standing in the practice of engineering.
Why Should I Become Licensed?
On the other hand, state licensing boards have standards of ethical conduct that are legally binding. The recognition and enforcement of these standards gives greater definition to our profession, and significantly enhances the image of licensed civil engineers.
Technical and Ethical Responsibilities of Licensed Engineers?Most of a civil engineer’s education focuses on technical matters, that is, “how to do things right,” and most of the engineer’s professional practice is devoted to applying this technical knowledge in service to the needs of society. However, another important element of both education and practice involves ethics, or “how to do the right thing.”
Technical and Ethical Responsibilities of Licensed Engineers?
Engineering ethics is a vital part of the engineering profession. The ethical issues are not always easy to answer. Choosing between “good” and “bad” appears easy until unseen variables are introduced such as time constraints, family, promotion opportunities, job security, peer pressure, supervisor pressure, and professional reputation.
Technical and Ethical Responsibilities of Licensed Engineers?
Also, choosing between competing goods often confronts the civil engineer.
-- Critical Skills --
- beyond technical skills -
that CE Students Need
To achieve skills to resolve ethical issues, here are some traits we should develop:
Students Need to Develop
Understanding
... A clear understanding of
professional ethics
Students Need to Develop
Communication Skills
A capability and willingness to communicate ethical
issues.
Students Need to Develop
The Ability
to recognize ethical issues.
Students Need to Develop
An Appreciation
for the frequency at which ethical issues occur.
Students Need to Develop
An Awareness
that guidance on ethical dilemmas is available from
ASCEand elsewhere.
Students Need to Develop
Comprehension ...
“Knowing What’s Right”
Students Need to Develop
A Desire ...and the
Willingness
...to “Do What’s Right”
Students Need to Develop
The Ability
Listing our options
Testing our options
Making a decision, and
Most importantly, Acting !
to resolve ethical issues by using traditional engineering methods of inquiry, namely:
A Gift of Fire, 2ed Chapter 10: Professional Ethics and Responsibilities 53
2Social, Legal, and Ethical Issues
Source: PowerPoint slides created by Sherry Clark
Copyright 2003 Prentice Hall
A Gift of Fire, 2ed Chapter 10: Professional Ethics and Responsibilities 54
A Gift of Fire
Professional Ethics and Responsibilities
Ethics
Ethical Guidelines for Computer Professionals
Cases
A Gift of Fire, 2ed Chapter 10: Professional Ethics and Responsibilities 55
Ethics
Professional EthicsCategories:
• Medical,• Legal,• Accounting,• Computer,• …and more.
Q: What are the special responsibilities of these professionals?
A Gift of Fire, 2ed Chapter 10: Professional Ethics and Responsibilities 56
Ethics
Computer EthicsSpecial Responsibilities Facing Computer
Professionals and Users• Maintaining relationships with and responsibilities toward
customers, clients, coworkers, employees, and employers.• Making critical decisions that have significant consequences
for many people.• Determining how to manage, select, or use computers in a
professional setting.
Q: Describe an ethical scenario for one of the categories, above.
A Gift of Fire, 2ed Chapter 10: Professional Ethics and Responsibilities 57
Ethics
“Do the Right Thing”Behaving Ethically Includes:
• Being honest.• Keeping promises.• Doing your job well.• Not stealing.
Q: What other behaviors are usually considered “doing the right thing?”
A Gift of Fire, 2ed Chapter 10: Professional Ethics and Responsibilities 58
Ethics
Ethical ViewsDeontological
• Emphasizes duty and absolute rules.• Rules should apply to everyone.• Use logic or reason to determine what is good.• Treat people as an ends (not a means).
Q: Describe “rules” that follow deontological decision-making that apply to school or work.
A Gift of Fire, 2ed Chapter 10: Professional Ethics and Responsibilities 59
Ethics
Ethical Views (cont’d)Consequentialist
• Includes Utilitarianism• Strive to increase “utility” (that which satisfies a person’s
needs and values) for the most people (the greater good).• Consider the consequences for all affected people.
Q: Describe “rules” that follow consequentialist decision-making that apply to school or work.
A Gift of Fire, 2ed Chapter 10: Professional Ethics and Responsibilities 60
Ethics
Ethical Views (cont’d)Consequentialist (cont’d)
• Rule-Utilitarianism: Choose rules, or guidelines for behavior, that generally increase utility.
• Act-Utilitarianism: Analyze each action to determine if it increases utility.
Q: What are some problems with act-utilitarianism?
A Gift of Fire, 2ed Chapter 10: Professional Ethics and Responsibilities 61
Ethics
Ethical Views (cont’d)Natural Rights
• Derived from the nature of humanity• Focus is on the process by which people interact.• Respect the fundamental rights of others, including life,
liberty, and property.
Q: Describe an ethical scenario about use of a computer system and tell what rights the people involved have.
A Gift of Fire, 2ed Chapter 10: Professional Ethics and Responsibilities 62
Ethics
Ethical Views (cont’d)Reaching the Right Decision
• There is no formula to solve ethical problems.• The computer professional must consider trade-offs.• Ethical theories help to identify important principles or
guidelines.
Q: What trade-offs might a computer professional need to consider?
A Gift of Fire, 2ed Chapter 10: Professional Ethics and Responsibilities 63
Ethics
Ethical Views (cont’d)Some Important Distinctions
• Right, Wrong, and Okay: acts may be ethically obligatory, ethically prohibited, or ethically acceptable.
• Negative rights (liberties): the right to act without coercive interference.
• Positive rights (claim-rights): imposing an obligation on some people to provide certain things.
• Causing harm: some acts may cause harm to others but are not necessarily unethical.
Q: Describe an ethical scenario involving a computer professional that illustrates one of the items above.
A Gift of Fire, 2ed Chapter 10: Professional Ethics and Responsibilities 64
Ethics
Ethical Views (cont’d)Some Important Distinctions (cont’d)
• Goals vs. actions: the actions we take to achieve our goals should be consistent with our ethical constraints.
• Personal preference vs. ethics: some issues we disapprove of because of our dislikes, rather than on ethical grounds.
• Law vs. ethics: some acts are ethical, but illegal; other acts are legal, but unethical.
Q: Describe an ethical scenario involving a computer professional that illustrates one of the items above.
A Gift of Fire, 2ed Chapter 10: Professional Ethics and Responsibilities 65
Ethical Guidelines for Computer Professionals
Special Aspects of Professional EthicsComputer Professionals:
• Are experts in their field,• Know customers rely on their knowledge, expertise, and
honesty,• Understand their products (and related risks) affect many
people,• Follow good professional standards and practices,• Maintain an expected level of competence and are up-to-date
on current knowledge and technology, and• Educate the non-computer professional.
Q: Recall a computer professional who demonstrated some of these characteristics.
A Gift of Fire, 2ed Chapter 10: Professional Ethics and Responsibilities 66
Ethical Guidelines for Computer Professionals
Professional CodesACM and IEEE CS
• Software Engineering Code of Ethics and Professional Practice
ACM• ACM Code of Ethics
Ethical Behaviors Expected of the Computer Professional:
• Honest and fair; respects confidentiality; maintains professional competence; understands relevant laws; respects and protection of personal privacy; avoids harming others; and respects property rights.
Q: How does a software engineer “learn” to be ethical?
A Gift of Fire, 2ed Chapter 10: Professional Ethics and Responsibilities 67
Ethical Guidelines for Computer Professionals
Additional Guidelines for the Computer ProfessionalUnderstand Success
• Understand what success means—developers (especially) and users of computer systems must see beyond simply writing code to complete a task.
Design for Real Users• To provide useful systems, real users must be included in the
design stage.
Q: Give an example of a system for which consultation with real users in the design stage would be important.
A Gift of Fire, 2ed Chapter 10: Professional Ethics and Responsibilities 68
Ethical Guidelines for Computer Professionals
Additional Guidelines for the Computer Professional (cont’d)Thorough Planning and Scheduling
• Pay attention to details—do a thorough and careful job when planning and scheduling a project and when writing bids.
Test With Real Users• To provide safe systems, real users must be included in the
testing stage.
Q: Give an example of a system that has a straightforward user interface. A confusing interface. Would testing with real users improve the confusing one?
A Gift of Fire, 2ed Chapter 10: Professional Ethics and Responsibilities 69
Ethical Guidelines for Computer Professionals
Additional Guidelines for the Computer Professional (cont’d)Evaluate Re-use of Software
• Don’t assume existing software is safe and re-usable.
Candidness• Be open and honest about capabilities, safety, and limitations
of software.
Protect• Require a convincing case for safety.
Q: Describe a software program or computer system for which you think these guidelines were not followed.
A Gift of Fire, 2ed Chapter 10: Professional Ethics and Responsibilities 70
Cases
Analyzing a Professional Ethical ScenarioBrainstorming phase
• List risks, issues, problems, consequences.• List all the stakeholders.• List possible actions.
Q: What is the purpose of this stage?
A Gift of Fire, 2ed Chapter 10: Professional Ethics and Responsibilities 71
Cases
Analyzing Professional Responsibilities (cont’d)Analysis phase
• Identify the responsibilities of the decision-maker.• Identify the rights of stakeholders.• Consider the impact of the action options on the stakeholders.• Find sections in codes of ethics that apply. Categorize each
potential action or response as ethically obligatory, ethically prohibited, or ethically acceptable.
• Consider the ethical merits of each option and select one.
Q: What is the value of this stage?
A Gift of Fire, 2ed Chapter 10: Professional Ethics and Responsibilities 72
Cases
Applying the Brainstorming and Analysis PhasesRefer to any of the cases in the text or the general
exercises following each chapter or current scenarios in the news.
3-ASME Ethics Code (11/5/2006)
1. Engineers shall hold paramount the safety, health and welfare of the public in the performance of their professional duties.
2. Engineers shall perform services only in the areas of their competence; they shall build their professional reputation on the merit of their services and shall not compete unfairly with others.
3. Engineers shall continue their professional development throughout their careers and shall provide opportunities for the professional and ethical development of those engineers under their supervision.
ASME Ethics Code
4. Engineers shall act in professional matters for each employer or client as faithful agents or trustees, and shall avoid conflicts of interest or the appearance of conflicts of interest.
5. Engineers shall respect the proprietary information and intellectual property rights of others, including charitable organizations and professional societies in the engineering field.
6. Engineers shall associate only with reputable persons or organizations.
7. Engineers shall issue public statements only in an objective and truthful manner and shall avoid any conduct which brings discredit upon the profession.
8. Engineers shall consider environmental impact and sustainable development in the performance of their professional duties.
9. Engineers shall not seek ethical sanction against another engineer unless there is a good reason to do so under the relevant codes, policies and procedures governing that engineer’s ethical conduct.
10. Engineers who are members of the Society shall endeavor to abide by the Constitution, By-Laws and Policies of the Society, and they shall disclose knowledge of any matter involving another member’s alleged violation of this Code of Ethics or the Society’s Conflicts of Interest Policy in a prompt, Complete and truthful manner to the chair of the Committee on Ethical Standards and Review.
We all lose !
We all lose !
If the “Ethics Rope” Breaks,If the “Ethics Rope” Breaks,
4- Questions & Discussion
Distribute the ASCE Brochure.It is suggested that students read “Sara’s” Story
in the ASCE Brochure, and consider the ways the ASCE Code of Ethics can provide helpful guidance when confronting ethical issues.
A Case Study in Engineering Ethics
1. A “personal” viewpoint -- consider that “you” are the engineer facing the ethical issue.
2. An “impersonal” viewpoint -- assume you are aware of the situation, but not directly involved.
3. A “responsible” viewpoint -- assume that you are directly responsible for future decisions.
1. A “personal” viewpoint -- consider that “you” are the engineer facing the ethical issue.
2. An “impersonal” viewpoint -- assume you are aware of the situation, but not directly involved.
3. A “responsible” viewpoint -- assume that you are directly responsible for future decisions.
We ask you to consider Sara’s situation from 3 viewpoints:We ask you to consider Sara’s situation from 3 viewpoints:
1. Am I solving this issue in such a way that will cause people to “trust” me?
2. Am I keeping my promise -- explicit? implicit?
3. What is the “first step” that I must take?
4. What do the other people mean by “unfair?”
1. Am I solving this issue in such a way that will cause people to “trust” me?
2. Am I keeping my promise -- explicit? implicit?
3. What is the “first step” that I must take?
4. What do the other people mean by “unfair?”
Sara… by the Lake
Sara has been reported to her State’s Engineer’s Board for a possible ethics violation.
She reflects on how she got to this point.
Sara… the early years
Graduated from an ABET-accredited program
Took the FE Exam
Worked under the supervision of a licensed engineer for almost 4 years
Just before she took the PE Exam...
Sara and The Apartment
Complex
Sara’s firm was retained to investigate the structural integrity of an apartment complex.
STRICT confidentiality required.
Noticed no structural problems BUT, she did observe some
apparent electrical deficiencies
To Report, or NOT to Report...
Sara knew these electrical deficiencies might pose a hazard to the occupants
She knew the client didn’t want to hear bad news
To Report, or NOT to Report...
She felt the strain of the strict confidentiality requirement
She did not want to damage the client relationship...
The Decision...
She verbally informed the client about the problem
She made an “oblique” reference to the problem in her report
Those Nagging Doubts...
Later Sara learned the client did not disclose any of her concerns about the electrical deficiencies
She struggled with whether she should have been more persistent in making her concerns known.
She eventually put it out of her mind.
Questions for Discussion
What were the main issues Sara was wrestling with in this situation?
Do you think Sara had a “right” or an “obligation” to report the deficiency to the proper authorities?
Who might Sara have spoken with about the dilemma?
Questions for Discussion
Who should be responsible for what happened: Sara, or Sara’s employer, or the client, or someone else?
How does this situation conflict with Sara’s obligation to be faithful to her client?
Is it wise practice to ignore “gut feelings” that arise?
Time Passes……..
Involvement with Professional & Technical
Societies
Sara is encouraged to become active in professional and technical societies
But her new supervisor opposes her participation and requires that Sara take vacation to attend meetings.
Sara is very frustrated about this.
When Opportunity Knocks...
When attending a meeting with the CEO on another matter…
Sara inquires about company policy on the matter of professional society participation.
The CEO reaffirms the company policy to be active in professional societies.
Fallout Sara informs her supervisor of the
CEO’s support and resumes her participation.
Her relationship with her supervisor is strained.
What might Sara have done differently to seek a remedy and yet preserve her relationship with her supervisor?
Where could Sara have found guidance in the ASCE Code of Ethics, appropriate to this situation?
Questions for Discussion
Vendor Bender: The Christmas Ham
As Christmas approached the following year, Sara discovered a gift bag on her desk.
Inside the gift bag was an expensive honey-glazed spiral cut ham.
Why Bother?
This concerned Sara as she felt it might cast doubt on the integrity of their business relationship.
Several others received gifts from the vendor as well.
The Decision
After sleeping on it, Sara sent a polite note to the vendor returning the ham.
Was she really obligated to return the ham?
Or was this taking ethics too far? On the other hand, could she be
obligated to pursue the matter further than just returning the gift she had received?
Questions for Discussion
Sara for City Council! Sara, now a highly successful
principal in a respected engineering firm, is urged to run for public office.
She agrees to run. A draft political advertisement is
prepared that includes her photograph, her engineering seal, and the following text:
What’s in an “Ad”?
“Vote for Sara! We need an engineer on the City Council. That is simple common sense, isn’t it? Sara is an experienced licensed engineer with years of rich accomplishments, who disdains delays and takes action now!”
Should Sara’s engineering seal be included in the advertisement?
Should Sara ask someone in ASCE his or her opinion before deciding?
Questions for Discussion
The Apartment Complex, Again...
Sara’s investigation of the apartment complex so many years ago resurfaced.
The Apartment Complex, Again...
Sara learned that the apartment complex caught on fire, and people had been seriously injured.
During the investigation, Sara’s report was reviewed, and somehow the cause of the fire was traced to the electrical deficiencies.
Thinking it Over
Sara pondered her situation.
Legally, she felt she might claim some immunity since she was not a licensed engineer at the time of her work
Professionally, she keenly felt she had let the public down.
Input from the ASCE Code of Ethics
Having carefully studied the ASCE Code of Ethics, Sara now realized that occasionally some elements of the code may be in conflict with other elements.
Input from the ASCE Code of Ethics
In her case, this was Canon 1 (her obligation to protect the health, safety and welfare of the public) versus Canon 4 (her obligation to her client).
Questions for Discussion
Why do you think that Codes of Ethics conflict within themselves?
What are some ways to recognize a conflict of interest?
List some options whereby Sara might have resolved this basic conflict.
Sara Before the BOARD
The meeting with the Licensing Board began early the following morning.
The State Licensing Board only enforces their own Rules of Conduct and Ethics, but they noted that their rules are very similar to the ASCE Code of Ethics.
The BOARD Finds...It is important for Sara, or any licensed engineer, to realize the engineer’s paramount responsibility is for the safety of the public.
The occupants of the apartment complex were not aware of the electrical deficiencies.
Although not an electrical engineer, Sara had some knowledge of city building codes and the ability to foresee the potential dangers.
Sara had informed her client of the possible electrical deficiencies, but she failed to mention possible consequences of ignoring her concerns.
Sara could have referred to the ASCE Code of Ethics before making a decision.
The BOARD Finds… continued
Canon 1. Engineers shall hold paramount the safety, health and welfare of the public….
From the ASCE Code of Ethics
On the way home...
In the taxi back to the airport, Sara thumbed through her newspaper
She saw an editorial about her campaign which claimed that, as a result of the allegations against her, she was no longer fit for public office.
How should Sara respond to such claims?
Questions for Discussion
The American Society of Civil
Engineers wishes you a long and
prosperous engineering career!
“Gilbane Gold” is an excellent engineering ethics video available from NIEE at www.niee.org.
(NIEE recently submitted a proposal to NSF requesting funding for a sequel for Gilbane Gold.)
Acknowledgement
We want to acknowledge ……(SPEAKER PROVIDES INFO HERE)
Questions & Discussion
Recommended