1 Introduction to Engineering Spring 2007 Lecture 5: Ethics

2 Review Detailed Design Test & Evaluation Presentation Project

3 Presentation & Delivery Test & Evaluation Preliminary Design Review - Design Steps Design is an iterative process: Word Description Detailed Design

4 Review - Cost of Changes Costs increase exponentially as the project lifetime increases Cost Time

5 Outline Ethical Leaders Introduction to Ethics Historical Overview Case Studies

6 Ethical Leaders

7 Why Ethics? Sometimes engineers are asked to design things that they have serious moral or ethical reservations about. In such cases, it is extremely important to consider the consequences of accepting such clients. While there are no easy answers, the engineer must realize that not all possible engineering solutions are ethical, and not all clients who can afford to pay are entitled to your services. Only by thinking about such matters prior to confronting a situation can the engineer expect to behave ethically

8 Ethical Leaders I An effective ethical leader will… …Create “Candor” in the workplace… …an environment where the engineer feels safe bringing up and resolving ethical issues.

9 Ethical Leaders II An effective ethical leader will … … Foster an environment of “Trust” among individuals in the Workplace… …and this trust will encourage openness among team members without fear of retribution.

10 Ethical Leaders III An effective ethical leader will: Treat everyone as intrinsically valuable… and not as a means to an end.

11 Traits of an Ethical Leader I Understanding A clear understanding of professional ethics Communication skills A ability to communicate ethical concerns Ability To recognize ethical issues Appreciation For the frequency at which ethical issues arise Awareness That guidance on ethical dilemmas is available from a variety of sources The desire, willingness and courage To do what is right

12 Introduction to Ethics

13 Basic Understanding Sometimes there are several right answers to ethics issues... Sometimes there are no right answers... But, like engineering design problems, there is a personal best answer

14 Personal Ethics Software piracy Expense account padding Copying of homework or tests Income taxes “Borrowing” nuts and bolts, office supplies from employer Copying of Videos or CD’s Plagiarism Using the copy machine at work

15 Basic Ethical Concepts E Ethical considerations are an integral part of making engineering decisions. T The professional obligations of engineers go beyond fulfilling a contract with a client or customer. C Codes of ethics can provide guidance in the decision-making process.

16 Legal and/or Ethical? A chemical company develops a new process that has a waste by product. Their internal studies show this byproduct is carcinogenic. However, the by-product is not on a government list of banned chemicals because it is new Is it legal or ethical to sell the product? Is it legal or ethical to drive over the speed limit when you (or a passenger with you) are having a baby?

17 Rules of Behavior Etiquette - rules of acceptable personal behavior and courtesy when interacting with others in a social setting. Laws - a system of rules and punishments clearly established by a society to maintain a safe and orderly social environment. Morals - personal rules of right and wrong behavior derived from a person’s upbringing, religious beliefs, and societal influences. Ethics - a code of rules defining moral behavior for a particular society.

18 Professional Ethics Ethics is the study of the morality of human actions. Professional ethics guide the conduct of a professional. Most technical societies ( AIChE, ASME, ASCE, IEEE ) have written codes of ethics. Engineers have a code of ethics: a set of behavioral standards that all engineers are expected to follow.

19 General Engineering Code Protect the public safety, health and welfare. Perform duties only in areas of competence. Be truthful and objective. Behave in an honorable and a dignified manner. Continue learning to sharpen technical skills. Provide honest hard work to both your employers and clients. Inform proper authorities of harmful, dangerous or illegal activities. Be involved with civic and community affairs. Protect the environment. Don’t accept bribes/gifts that would interfere with eng. judgment. Protect confidential information of both your employer and client. Avoid conflicts of interest.

20 Ethical Tests I Harm test Harm test - Do the benefits outweigh the harms, short term and long term? Reversibility test Reversibility test - Would I think this choice were good if I traded places? Colleague test Colleague test - What would professional colleagues say?

21 Ethical Tests II Legality test Legality test - Would this choice violate a law or a policy of my employer? Publicity test Publicity test - How would this choice look on the front page of a newspaper? Common practice test Common practice test - What if everyone behaved in this way? Wise relative test Wise relative test - What would my wise old aunt or uncle do?

22 Historical Overview

23 Code of Hammurabi Babylonian Law (~1750 BC) If a builder build(s) a house for someone, and does not construct it properly, and the house which he built fall(s) in and kill(s) its owner, then that builder shall be put to death. If it kill(s) the son of the owner the son of that builder shall be put to death.

24 Philosophy & Ethics The Greek Philosophers: Socrates ( B.C.) Plato ( B.C.) Aristotle ( B.C.) Ethics based on a universal set of rules and principles (after René Descartes ) John Locke ( ) – “Rights” based Immanuel Kant ( ) - “Duties” based Jeremy Bentham ( ) – Utilitarian based

25 Utilitarianism I In Ethics, the theory that takes the ultimate good to be the greatest happiness of the largest number. It defines the rightness of actions in terms of their contribution to the general happiness. David Hume ( ) Jeremy Bentham ( ) John Stuart Mill ( )

26 Utilitarianism II Engineering and technological decision making, for the most part, are based on derivatives of utilitarianism Basic tenant: “Greatest good for the greatest number” This gives rise to economic determinism as manifest in: “cost/benefit” or “risk/benefit” analysis PROBLEMS Only the total good and not its distribution among people is relevant How to quantify the “greater good” Judges by consequences

27 End vs. Means The obligation to avoid what is bad outweighs the obligation to do what is good. Or, the end does not justify the means.

28 Alternative Principle: 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.

29 Case Studies

30 Case 1

31 Case 2 During crash tests which proceeded the introduction of the Pinto to the public, it became evident that there was a serious design flaw. The gas tank was so designed that when it was involved in a rear end collision at an impact speed of 20 MPH or greater, the tank was apt to rupture, causing a fire and explosion. The tank was only 5’ forward of the rear sheet metal of the body and only 3’ from the back rear axle. In most rear-end crashes, the axle housing deformed the tank and sharp bolts punctured the tank. Following crash tests, the conclusion was that the rear end structure was not satisfactory. Suggested changes would have cost about $11 per car. A confidential company memo directed that the safety features not be adopted at that time until required by law.

32 Possible Quiz Remember that even though each quiz is worth only 5 to 10 points, the points do add up to a significant contribution to your overall grade If there is a quiz it might cover these issues: Define ethics? What is utilitarianism? Why is ethics an important topic for engineers?