Week 4Week 4Codes and CasesCodes and Cases

Alan FeathererAlan Featherer Timothy Timothy

CapparellaCapparella James TuckowskiJames Tuckowski Thad KumarThad Kumar

The Role of The Role of Professional Codes Professional Codes

of of EthicsEthicsAnd The National Society And The National Society

of Professional Engineersof Professional Engineers

Use of Engineer’s CreedUse of Engineer’s Creed

Use of Engineer’s Creed Use of Engineer’s Creed Cont.Cont.

Unethical.Unethical.

Reason:Reason:o In no way was the creed necessary in the In no way was the creed necessary in the

advertisement. The creed should only be advertisement. The creed should only be applied in situations of engineering.applied in situations of engineering.

Ex. He/ She could have used examples from Ex. He/ She could have used examples from his/ her personal engineering experiences his/ her personal engineering experiences without making a direct reference to the code.without making a direct reference to the code.

Supplanting Another Supplanting Another EngineerEngineer

ScenarioScenarioo A public agency needed a design for an unusual, complex A public agency needed a design for an unusual, complex

structure. They obtain a contract with an out-of-state structure. They obtain a contract with an out-of-state engineering firm familiar with this type of design.engineering firm familiar with this type of design.

ProblemProblemo A local engineering firm requested the contract be A local engineering firm requested the contract be

terminated on account of their being able to arrange an terminated on account of their being able to arrange an experienced staff to handle the problem.experienced staff to handle the problem.

Public AgencyPublic Agency: Ethical or Unethical?: Ethical or Unethical?

Local FirmLocal Firm: Ethical or Unethical?: Ethical or Unethical?

Supplanting Another Engineer Supplanting Another Engineer Cont.Cont.

Public Agency: EthicalPublic Agency: Ethicalo Reason:Reason:

Chose the agency with they deemed best Chose the agency with they deemed best qualified for the job.qualified for the job.

Local Firm: UnethicalLocal Firm: Unethicalo Reason:Reason:

Attempted to supplant a firm which had Attempted to supplant a firm which had been retained for the work.been retained for the work.

National Society of Professional National Society of Professional Engineer’s Code of EthicsEngineer’s Code of Ethics

CodesCodes AdvantagesAdvantages

o Codes help us to examine the feelings engineers have Codes help us to examine the feelings engineers have about their ethical or professional responsibilities.about their ethical or professional responsibilities.

o Assist engineers in behaving in socially responsible Assist engineers in behaving in socially responsible ways.ways.

o Engineers may point to the professional code to support Engineers may point to the professional code to support their decisions.their decisions.

DisadvantageDisadvantageo In following one code, it is possible another code may be In following one code, it is possible another code may be

broken.broken.

Engineer’s CreedEngineer’s Creed As a Professional Engineer, I dedicate my professional As a Professional Engineer, I dedicate my professional

knowledge and skill to the advancement and betterment knowledge and skill to the advancement and betterment of human welfare.of human welfare.o I pledge:I pledge:

To give the utmost of performance;To give the utmost of performance; To participate in none but honest enterprise;To participate in none but honest enterprise; To live and work according to the laws of man and the To live and work according to the laws of man and the

highest standards of professional conduct;highest standards of professional conduct; To place service before profit, the honor and standing of To place service before profit, the honor and standing of

the profession before personal advantage, and the public the profession before personal advantage, and the public welfare above all other considerations.welfare above all other considerations.

In humility and with need for Divine Guidance, I make this pledgeIn humility and with need for Divine Guidance, I make this pledge ..

ADOPTED BY NATIONAL SOCIETY OF PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERS, JUNE, 1954ADOPTED BY NATIONAL SOCIETY OF PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERS, JUNE, 1954

Code of Ethics for EngineersCode of Ethics for Engineers

FUNDAMENTAL CANONSFUNDAMENTAL CANONSEngineers, in the fulfillment of their professional Engineers, in the fulfillment of their professional

duties, shall:duties, shall:1.1. Hold paramount the safety, health and welfare of the public Hold paramount the safety, health and welfare of the public

in the performance of their professional duties.in the performance of their professional duties.

2.2. Perform services only in areas of their competence.Perform services only in areas of their competence.

3.3. Issue public statements only in an objective and truthful Issue public statements only in an objective and truthful manner.manner.

4.4. Act in professional matters for each employer or client as Act in professional matters for each employer or client as faithful agents or trustees.faithful agents or trustees.

5.5. Avoid deceptive acts in the solicitation of professional Avoid deceptive acts in the solicitation of professional employment.employment.

Code of Ethics for Engineers Code of Ethics for Engineers Cont.Cont.

PROFESSIONAL OBLIGATIONSPROFESSIONAL OBLIGATIONS1.1. Engineers shall be guided in all their professional relations by the highest Engineers shall be guided in all their professional relations by the highest

standards of integrity.standards of integrity.

2.2. Engineers shall at all times strive to serve the public interest.Engineers shall at all times strive to serve the public interest.

3.3. Engineers shall avoid all conduct or practice which is likely to discredit Engineers shall avoid all conduct or practice which is likely to discredit the profession or deceive the public.the profession or deceive the public.

4.4. Engineers shall not disclose confidential information concerning the Engineers shall not disclose confidential information concerning the business affairs or technical processed of any present or former client or business affairs or technical processed of any present or former client or employer without his consent.employer without his consent.

5.5. Engineers shall not be influenced in their professional duties by Engineers shall not be influenced in their professional duties by conflicting interests.conflicting interests.

6.6. Engineers shall uphold the principle of appropriate and adequate Engineers shall uphold the principle of appropriate and adequate compensation for those engaged in engineering work.compensation for those engaged in engineering work.

7.7. Engineers shall not attempt to obtain employment or advancement or Engineers shall not attempt to obtain employment or advancement or professional engagements by untruthfully criticizing other engineers, or professional engagements by untruthfully criticizing other engineers, or by other improper or questionable methods.by other improper or questionable methods.

Code of Ethics for Engineers Code of Ethics for Engineers Cont.Cont.

8.8. Engineers shall not attempt to injure, maliciously or falsely, directly Engineers shall not attempt to injure, maliciously or falsely, directly or indirectly, the professional reputation, prospects, practice or or indirectly, the professional reputation, prospects, practice or employment of other engineers, nor untruthfully criticize other employment of other engineers, nor untruthfully criticize other engineers’ work. Engineers who believe others are guilty of engineers’ work. Engineers who believe others are guilty of unethical or illegal practice shall present such information to the unethical or illegal practice shall present such information to the proper authority for action.proper authority for action.

9.9. Engineers shall accept responsibility for their professional activities; Engineers shall accept responsibility for their professional activities; provided, however, that Engineers may seek indemnification for provided, however, that Engineers may seek indemnification for professional services arising out of their practice for other than gross professional services arising out of their practice for other than gross negligence, where the Engineer’s interests cannot otherwise be negligence, where the Engineer’s interests cannot otherwise be protected.protected.

10.10. Engineers shall give credit for engineering work to those to whom Engineers shall give credit for engineering work to those to whom credit is due, and will recognize the proprietary interests of others.credit is due, and will recognize the proprietary interests of others.

11.11. Engineers shall cooperate in extending the effectiveness of the Engineers shall cooperate in extending the effectiveness of the profession by interchanging information and experience with other profession by interchanging information and experience with other engineers and students, and will endeavor to provide opportunity for engineers and students, and will endeavor to provide opportunity for the professional development and advancement of engineers under the professional development and advancement of engineers under their supervision.their supervision.

National Society of Professional National Society of Professional EngineersEngineers

Background:Background:o Founded in 1934Founded in 1934o Serves 54,000 members over 53 states and Serves 54,000 members over 53 states and

territorial societiesterritorial societieso More than 500 chaptersMore than 500 chapterso Promotes ethical practice of engineeringPromotes ethical practice of engineering

To Become a Member:To Become a Member:o Must have an EIT or Professional Engineer Must have an EIT or Professional Engineer

CertificateCertificateo Payment of $220.00 Payment of $220.00

““Developing an Developing an Ethical Code for Ethical Code for Engineers: The Engineers: The

Discursive Approach”Discursive Approach”

J. Felix LozanoJ. Felix Lozano

Introduction to Ethical Introduction to Ethical CodesCodes Early code of conduct - Hammurabi’s Code; first ethical document - Hippocratic Oath.

Complexity of society calls for the need of organizations and professional associations to develop specific codes which are more suited to the area of expertise.

Functions

Regulatory Ideological

Guiding Contractual Legal

Directs conduct, avoids conflicts between morality and self interest

The tie between professional obligations and social legitimacy

Organizes punitive elements so principles are followed

Set of ideas used by a group to present its status as a profession; beyond basic duties, refers to essential element of legitimacy, commitment, and personal fulfillment

Approaches, Values vs. Approaches, Values vs. NormsNorms Compliance Approach – establishes a system of incentives and punishments to

encourage people to comply with norms. Integrity Approach – encourages voluntary commitment to shared values.

Lozano believes both approaches should complement each other but prefers the Integrity Approach (value-oriented) because:

1. Strengthens voluntary commitment2. Provides the necessary freedom for productive performance3. Difficult to control professionals so Compliance Approach really is not

feasible Norms – rules; statements that permit action Values – several attempts to define them:

“Qualities of the real which human beings discover creatively and use to equip reality.” (A. Cortina) “Moral values are prescriptive or guiding beliefs as to what is good and fair.” “Serve to legitimize, orient or judge ways of actions and facts.” (German Society of Engineers)

The Process of The Process of Developing a CodeDeveloping a Code

Development requires a logical, hermeneutical (interpretive methodology to provide explanation) process:

Step 1 – Analysis of the institution and its environment Identify ethical problems Desk research and interviews Survey of literature – engineering associations

Step 2 – First proposal Identify values associated with problems structure information with fine detail

Step 3 – Final formulation Explicit, precise listing of values and commitments Consulted experts in ethics with knowledge of engineering

Following this method, a code of ethics was created for the Official Association of Industrial Engineers in Valencia, Spain.

The Study and ResultsThe Study and Results Detailed study of the association’s documents and publications, which were compared with documents of other similar organizations such as ABET, IEEE, ASME. In-depth, 3-part interviews with 10 people from association with long careers and recognized prestige:

General ideas on ethics Identifying ethical problems Opinions and proposals on solutions to problems

Group Dynamics Sessions – make association members aware of the project, refine ethical problems discussed and develop more accurate ethical values. Consultation of experts in ethics and submittal of a document to the board of the association for final amendments. Scientific/hermeneutics approach valued and appreciated by participants. Not as many participants as expected and while those interviewed had great careers, they generally lacked ethical training. Recommends more emphasis on ethical training, both professionally and academically.

Highlights from the Highlights from the Ethical CodeEthical Code Seven section headings:

Integrity – “put the public’s and our clients’ welfare before our own particular interests”

Commitment – “work to improve the profession’s image and legitimacy” Respect – “treat colleagues and collaborators fairly” Responsibility – “ accept our own errors and any criticism given in good faith” Safety – “put the safety of people before any other professional criterion” Efficiency – “inform clients of best technical and financial options” Professionalism – “foster communication and continuous training, and foster the development of knowledge, abilities and skills in our collaborators”

George Carlin on George Carlin on the 10 the 10

CommandmentsCommandments

vs.vs.

George Carlin, stand-up comedian

““It’s always kind of bugged the shit out of It’s always kind of bugged the shit out of me…the 10 commandments” – GCme…the 10 commandments” – GC

Says about 5000 years ago a “bunch of Says about 5000 years ago a “bunch of religious/ political hustlers” got together religious/ political hustlers” got together to figure out a way to control people.to figure out a way to control people.

Says they knew people were “basically Says they knew people were “basically stupid and would believe anything they stupid and would believe anything they were told”…so they said God gave them were told”…so they said God gave them the commandments.the commandments.

Says they picked 10 only because it Says they picked 10 only because it sounded official…”psychologically sounded official…”psychologically satisfying number”, just like the satisfying number”, just like the decimal system.decimal system.

Calls it a “bullshit list, a political Calls it a “bullshit list, a political document artificially inflated to sell document artificially inflated to sell better”.better”.

““Why are there 10? Why are there 10? You don’t need You don’t need 10.”10.”

First 3First 3 I am the Lord your God, I am the Lord your God,

you shall not have you shall not have strange gods before me.strange gods before me.

You shall not take the You shall not take the Lord’s name in vain.Lord’s name in vain.

Keep holy the Sabbath.Keep holy the Sabbath.

Carlin says the first three can be summed up as “pure bullshit, spooky language” meant to scare and control primitive people. He says none of the first 3 apply to modern people.

44 Honor your father Honor your father

and mother.and mother.

1010 You shall not You shall not

covet your covet your neighbor’s goods.neighbor’s goods.

Carlin says honor should not be automatic but instead based on the parents’ performance. He crosses this one off the list along with the first 3.

Carlin says “coveting your neighbors goods is what keeps the economy going”.

6,7,8,96,7,8,9 You shall not commit You shall not commit

adultery.adultery. You shall not steal.You shall not steal. You shall not bear You shall not bear

false witness against false witness against your neighbor.your neighbor.

You shall not covet You shall not covet your neighbor’s your neighbor’s wife.wife.

Carlin says all four of these can be combined into one new commandment: “Thou shall be honest and faithful”.

55 You shall not You shall not

kill.kill.

Carlin says “more people have been killed in the name of God than for any other reason”, in reference to the Crusades, the Middle East, 9-11, etc.

In SummaryIn Summary

Carlin reduced the 10 Carlin reduced the 10 Commandments into 2 new Commandments into 2 new Commandments.Commandments. (1) “Thou shall be honest and faithful”.(1) “Thou shall be honest and faithful”. (2) “Thou shall try real hard not to kill (2) “Thou shall try real hard not to kill

anyone, unless they pray to a different anyone, unless they pray to a different invisible man than you do”.invisible man than you do”.

Questions to ConsiderQuestions to Consider

Are Carlin’s commandments as good Are Carlin’s commandments as good as the original 10?as the original 10?

Is the effectiveness of a code really Is the effectiveness of a code really determined by the number of codes?determined by the number of codes?

References "National Society of Professional Engineers -." Wikipedia, the free

encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation Inc. 13 July 2009 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_society_of_professional_engineers>.

"Membership, Join Now." National Society of Professional Engineers. 13 July 2009 <http://www.nspe.org/JoinNow/index.html>.