ENGINEERING PROFESSIONALISM AND ETHICS EGN 4034 FALL TERM 2008 CHAPTER 3 Engineering Ethics: FRAMING THE PROBLEM

n Relevant facts (Factual Issues) n Relevant ethical issues n (see Figure 3.2) n Unknown Facts n Conceptual Issues Analysis Method

n We usually experience moral disagreement and controversy within a context of agreement. n The OSHA case illustrates this. n Both OSHA and the Supreme Court felt that safety of the workers was important. n They didn’t agree however (conceptual issue) on the definition of “Safe” WE MAY AGREE

n This is important. n If we first determine what we do agree upon. n We do this by asking questions. n We may find that when we eliminate those things we agree upon n We can more easily focus on the real problem or issue. WE MAY AGREE

n When we look at agreement, we must also consider what we agree to that is: n Unclear n Or simply unknown WE MAY AGREE

n That common stock of moral beliefs. n Just as we agree on what is “common sense” n We all have a common stock of basic beliefs we feel should guide our lives: n Moral standards n Rules n principles Common Morality

n We believe that murder is wrong n But we also agree that murder does occur n and that it is wrong. n We may observe that an engineer has failed to report a conflict of interest n And agree that this is wrong. Common Morality

n Although we agree on common morality n Moral disagreement often occurs. n This raises the question n Can we isolate the major factors that account for this? n Differences occur with respect to beliefs about “specific” practices or issues: n Abortion n Euthanasia n Sexual orientation n Capital punishment n Etc. Common Morality

n What would we like to see in others? n Fair-mindedness n Self-respect n Respect for others n Compassion n Benevolence n What other traits would you like to see? n Do most of us share these desires? Common Moral Traits

n With our Common Moral beliefs, can we develop a set of Moral Rules for all people to go by? n We do this as a society n Through laws n Through group norms n Through CODES as professionals n Breaking the rules always has consequences. Moral Rules?

n THERE ARE THREE BASIC KINDS OF MORALITY n COMMON MORALITY – Generally universally accepted n PERSONAL MORALITY – rules or principles, rules, or standards we accept as individuals but are not necessarily shared by others. n PROFSSIONAL MORALITY – Moral standards that apply to ones role as a member of a profession. TYPES OF MORLITY

n Most often we find that there is not a conflict with applying these three types of morality. n Most often we will arrive at the same answer to a moral question regardless of which of these three moral principles we apply. n However, there can be conflicts among these moral beliefs. TYPES OF MORLITY

n To analyze anything, we must gather information relevant to the solution of the ethical problem. n We first ask: n What are the ethical questions? n What are the facts? n The facts should be relevant to the specific ethical questions. n Do the facts support the ethical questions? ANALYZING A CASE

n What are the resources we might use in framing the ethical considerations? n Common Morality n Professional Codes n Personal Morality n Comprehensive principles of ethics (later chapters) ANALYZING A CASE

n FACTUAL ISSUES n Many times moral disagreements turn out to be disagreements over the relevant facts. n Without the facts each side only has opinion n Factual Issues are sometimes very difficult to resolve n We may find that we have all of the available facts yet there are still unanswered questions (unknown facts). ANALYZING A CASE

n FACTUAL ISSUES n Once Factual Issues are clearly isolated, disagreement can reemerge on another and often more clearly defined level. n We may now find that we don’t disagree on the facts, but on the definition of some standard such as “Safe” (Conceptual Issues) ANALYZING A CASE

n CONCEPTUAL ISSUES n This deals with the meaning of terms n What is “Bribery?” n What is “Safe?” n What is a “Conflict of Interest?” n What is “Confidentiality?” n What is a “Trade Secret? n What is “Loyalty?” n To determine Conceptual Issues, we must ask, “What are the important concepts in our case?” ANALYZING A CASE

n APPLICATOION ISSUES n Once we have determined the facts and identified the “terms” or “concepts” n We need to agree if this is, in fact, an instance of that concept. n For example, is our moral question really related to a “conflict of interest” or is it something else? n Does the concept we defined describe our present situation? ANALYZING A CASE

n Line-drawing or paradigm cases is a good way to analyze ethical issues n We first define the “concept” such as bribery and agree on: n What are the features of bribery n What is definitely bribery (positive paradigm) n What is definitely not bribery (Negative paradigm) n Section 4.4 describes this analysis Applying Concepts

Feature Bribery Test Case Not Bribery Gift Size Timing Reason Responsibility Quality Cost Small≤ $10.00 After Decision Educational None Best Large Before decision Personal Gain Sole Worst HighestLowest

Applying Concepts Feature Bribery Test Case Not Bribery Gift Size Timing Reason Responsibility Quality Cost Small≤ $10.00 After Decision Educational None Best Large Before decision Personal Gain Sole Worst HighestLowest Where does our case fall on each of these lines?

n Case Statement n Relevant Facts n Factual Issues n Conceptual and Application Issues n Moral Issues n Analysis Review for Analyzing a Moral Problem

n What is the Case Statement? n Define the Relevant Facts n Define Factual Issues if any n Define Conceptual and Application Issues n Define Moral Issues n Analyze the case based on the information you’ve developed n Can a “Line Drawing” help resolve the issue? Moral Problem Analysis