Thinking Like an Engineer: The Place of a Code of Ethics in the
Practice of a Profession Michael Davis Article PowerPoint Lecture
Prepared by Christy Moore Slide 2 (Davis, 1991),
(www.ccastronomy.org/ high_flight.htm) The Challenger disaster is
the foundation of the discussion. Slide 3 (Davis, 1991), image:
(www.enforcer31.com/ wanted1.htm) The Challenger disaster is the
foundation of the discussion. Robert Lund (VP for Engineering at
Morton Thiokol) Recommends against the launch Because of faulty
O-rings Jerald Mason (Lunds boss) Asks him to reconsider Asks him
to think like a manager, not an engineer Slide 4 (Davis, 1991),
(www.aerospaceweb.org/.../q0122.shtml Lund changes his
recommendation Slide 5 (Davis, 1991), (www.space- shuttle.com/
challeng.htm) The shuttle crashes seconds after take-off Slide 6
(Davis, 1991), image (grin.hq.nasa.gov/ BROWSE/JSC_13.html)
Challenger Astronauts lost during the Space Shuttle Challenger
disaster on January 28, 1986 (Top Row, L to R: Ellison Onizuka,
Teacher in Space Christa McAuliffe, Gregory Jarvis, Judy Resnick.
Bottom Row, L to R: Pilot Michael Smith, Cmdr. Dick Scobee, Ron
McNair) Slide 7 (Davis, 1991) Davis asks us to consider several
questions. 1.Whats the difference between thinking like a manager
and thinking like an engineer? 2.Why do we have codes of ethics?
3.Why obey ones code of ethics? 4.Why isnt conscience enough? What
does Davis say? Other ideas? Slide 8 (Davis, 1991) Whats the
difference in thinking like a manager and thinking like an
engineer? hilton.org.uk/ obc.phtml?c=hostelswww.narowing.org/
photoalbum/Speakmon2003.htm Slide 9 (Davis, 1991) Managers, it
might be said, are trained to handle people; engineers, to handle
things. To think like a manager rather than an engineer is to focus
on people rather than on things. Whats the difference in thinking
like a manager and thinking like an engineer? Slide 10 (Davis,
1991) What is thinking like an engineer? to use ones technical
knowledge of things Asking Lund to think like a manager was asking
him to ignore his technical knowledge. Slide 11 (Davis, 1991) Why
do we have codes of ethics? a convention between professionals a
guide to what engineers may reasonably expect of one another a
guide to what engineers may expect other members of to profession
to help each other do Slide 12 (Davis, 1991) Why obey ones code?
Protects professionals from certain pressures Such as cutting
corners By making it more likely that good conduct will not be
punished Protects professionals from certain consequences of
competition Legitimizes the profession Slide 13 (Davis, 1991)
National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE) Code of Ethics.
Fundamental Canons Engineers, in the fulfillment of their
professional duties, shall: 1. Hold paramount the safety, health
and welfare of the public. 2. Perform services only in areas of
their competence. 3. Issue public statements only in an objective
and truthful manner. 4. Act for each employer or client as faithful
agents or trustees. 5. Avoid deceptive acts. 6. Conduct themselves
honorably, responsibly, ethically, and lawfully so as to enhance
the honor, reputation, and usefulness of the profession. (More
extensive Rules of Practice follow in the Code)
http://www.nspe.org/ethics/eh1-code.asp Slide 14 ABET Code of
Ethics of Engineers The Fundamental Canons 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. 3.
Engineers shall issue public statements only in an objective and
truthful manner. 4. Engineers shall act in professional matters for
each employer or client as faithful agents or trustees, and shall
avoid conflicts of interest. 5. Engineers shall build their
professional reputation on the merit of their services and shall
not compete unfairly with others. 6. Engineers shall act in such a
manner as to uphold and enhance the honor, integrity, and dignity
of the profession. 7. Engineers shall continue their professional
development throughout their careers and shall provide
opportunities for the professional development of those engineers
under their supervision. Slide 15 15 What is the paramountcy
principle? NSPE Code of Ethics Engineers, in the fulfillment of
their professional duties, shall: 1. Hold paramount the safety,
health and welfare of the public. ABET Code of Ethics for Engineers
1. Engineers shall hold paramount the safety, health and welfare of
the public in the performance of their professional duties. Slide
16 (Davis, 1991) Professional Codes of Ethics National Society of
Professional Engineers (NSPE) Biomedical Engineering Society (BMES)
Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) American
Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) Slide 17 (Davis, 1991) Why
isnt conscience enough? What would it be like to be an engineer if
engineers did not generally hold paramount the safety, health, and
welfare of the public? What if the client or employer would benefit
from ignoring the code? What are some situations in which the
engineers interests as an engineer conflict with his/her interests
as a person? Slide 18 (Davis, 1991) What if Lund had insisted on
cancelling the launch? Would he have been a hero? What would have
been the repercussions of his decision? Slide 19 (Davis, 1991) Do
engineers professional responsibilities go beyond the code? Davis
says Yes. In addition to following the code themselves, [e]ngineers
should [encourage] others to do as [the code] requires and by
criticizing, ostracizing, or otherwise calling to account those who
do not. Slide 20 (Davis, 1991) Additional comments? Slide 21
(Davis, 1991) What is the moral principle of Daviss argument? Since
Lund voluntarily accepts the benefits of being an engineer, he is
morally obliged to follow the convention that helps to make those
benefits possible. Fairness Slide 22 (Davis, 1991) What were Lunds
two ethical options? To either refuse to authorize the launch To
insist that the astronauts be briefed in order to get their
informed consent
