Professional Engineering Ethics

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Morality and EthicsConcerns the goodness of voluntary human conduct that affects the self or other living thingsMorality (Latin mores) usually refers to any aspect of human actionEthics (Greek ethos) commonly refers only to professional behavior

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What Is Ethics?Josephson Institute of EthicsEthics refers to standards of conduct . . . that indicate how one should behave based on . . .principles of right and wrong. As a practical matter, ethics is about how we meet the challenge of doing the right thing

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The Existence of Right and WrongPrinciple: Certain aspects of right and wrong exist objectively, independent of culture or personal opinion.Accepting this principle is essential for ethics to discern an objective reality rather than just define a subjective standard.

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The Four Main VirtuesPrudence (mind): to think about a moral problem clearly and completelyTemperance (emotions): control attraction to positive emotionsFortitude (emotions): control aversion for negative emotionsJustice (will): choose according to truth and fairness.

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Professional EthicsWhat is a profession?What is ethics?What is professional ethics?Ethical theoriesThinking about professional ethicsProfessional valuesCodes of Ethics

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ProfessionAll professions are occupations, but not all occupations are professionsCan take a broad or narrow view of what is a professionA self-regulated occupational group capable of legally prohibiting others (including incompetent or unethical members) from practising is a narrow view

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ProfessionMatter of degree there are many emerging professions.Obstacle in the way of the OHS professional is the diverse nature of practice with competing co-professionals.

You are not a professional until you are a member of a group of colleagues who have articulated a set of standards and values and can enforce them, at the very least, by exclusion from the group.

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What is a professional? Possesses specialized knowledge and skillsBelongs to and abides by the standards of a societyServes an important aspect of the public good

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What is a professional engineer?Has a bachelors degree in engineering from an accredited schoolPerforms engineering workIs a registered P.E.Acts in a morally responsible way while practicing engineering

*These are not necessary or sufficient conditions.

The Engineering ProfessionHow we view ourselves:Problem-solversEngineering is enjoyable; esprit de corpsEngineering benefits people, provides a public serviceEngineering provides the most freedom of all professions (Florman, 1976)Engineering is an honorable profession

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The Engineering ProfessionHow the public views engineering:The Engineers RoleEngineers as UtilitariansEngineers as PositivistsApplied Physical ScientistsThis role does not mesh well with an overarching social science bias of the public.

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Professional EthicsPurpose Helps professional decide when faced with a problem that raises a moral issueComplexity Can be many people, with many issues involved may be involved history to the issues may be an issue WHO decides, not just WHAT decided.

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Why the Interest in Professional Ethics?As occupations become more specialized, the ethical issues become more specializedProfessional societies have increased efforts to establish ethical codes to guide membersIncreasing public scrutiny, lack of traditional deferenceRegulatory oversight, public protection

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What is Engineering Ethics*The study of the moral issues and decisions confronting individuals and organizations engaged in engineeringThe study of related questions about the moral ideals, character, policies, and relationships of people and corporations involved in technological activity.

* from Martin. M. & Schinzinger, R. Ethics in Engineering (3rd Ed.) (New York: McGraw-Hill, 1996, pp. 2-3.

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Ethics and EngineeringWhere the ethical issues can arise:Conceptualization, Design, Testing, Manufacturing, Sales, ServiceSupervision and Project TeamsProject timelines and budgetsExpectations, opinions, or judgmentsProducts: Unsafe or Less than UsefulDesigned for obsolescenceInferior materials or componentsUnforeseen harmful effects to society

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Ethics and EngineeringOther fields where ethics are criticalMedical Ethics, Legal EthicsBusiness Ethics (closest to Engineering Ethics)Scientific EthicsAn applied ethics domain (rather than a theoretical analysis of philosophy)Engineering occurs at the confluence of technology, social science, and businessEngineering is done by people and for peopleEngineers decisions have a impact on all three areas in the confluenceThe public nature of an engineers work ensures that ethics will always play a role

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Ethics and EngineeringImpacts of an engineers ethical decisions:The Products & Services (safety and utility)The Company and its StockholdersThe Public and Society (benefits to the people)Environment (Earth and beyond)The Profession (how the public views it)The Law (how legislation affects the profession and industry)Personal Position (job, internal moral conflict)

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Ethics and EngineeringTypically, good ethical decisions may be just that: good, but rarely great or idealwill not always be in the best interest (irrespective of the timeline) of all stakeholdersare not automatic but require thought, consideration, evaluation, and communication (much like the design process)

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Ethics and MoralityMorality making choices with reasonsEthics the study of HOW the choices are made, ie ethics is the study of moralityOften use ethics and morality interchangeably

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Ethics and LawLaw the authority is externalEthics the authority is internal

Much of law, but not all, is based in moralitySometimes law is unethicalMuch of what is ethical is unaddressed by legal rules

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Descriptive Ethics Burgess and Mullen study Most common cases:PlagiarismConfidentiality of dataFaked dataCriticizing colleagues for gainHolding back, disguising dataDestruction of dataNot reporting incident deliberately

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CODE OF ETHICSCivil engineers should uphold and advance the integrity, honor and dignity of the civil engineering profession by:

using their knowledge and skill for the enhancement of human welfare and the environment;being honest and impartial and serving with fidelity the public, their employers/employees and clients;

striving to increase the competence and prestige of the civil engineering profession; and

supporting the professional and technical societies of their discipline.

FUNDAMENTAL CANONSCivil Engineers shall hold paramount the safety, health and welfare of the public and shall strive to comply with the principles of sustainable development in the performance of their duties.Civil Engineers shall perform services only in areas of their competence.Civil Engineers shall issue public statements only in an objective and truthful manner.

Civil Engineers shall act in professional matters for each employer or client as faithful agents or trustees, and shall avoid conflict of interest.Civil Engineers shall build their professional reputation on the merit of their services and shall not compete unfairly with others.

Civil Engineers shall act in such a manner as to uphold and enhance the honor, integrity, and dignity of the civil engineering profession.Civil Engineers shall continue their professional development throughout their careers, and shall provide opportunities for the professional development of those civil engineers under their supervision.

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*These are not necessary or sufficient conditions.*

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