You are here! Engineering Ethics Cath Polito, MS

Introductions Who’s your “Jiminy Cricket?”

What is Ethics?

Foundations of Ethics 1)Aristotle: Virtue and Character (c. 350 BC) Practical wisdom Plato ( BC) and Aristotle ( BC)

2)Kant: duties and rights Categorical imperative Immanuel Kant ( ) Foundations of Ethics

3)Bentham and Mill: Utilitarianism John Stuart Mill ( ) Jeremy Bentham ( ) Foundations of Ethics

Your Challenges  Describe an ethical challenge that you have faced  Which approach applies to this challenge?

Questions to ask …  Can I sleep at night?  What if everybody did this?  What is the greatest good for the greatest number?  Aristotle – virtuous life  Kant – categorical imperative  Bentham and Mill – utilitarianism

Today …

NSPE Code of Ethics 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.

NSPE Code of Ethics 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.

Problems? Five factors that can lead to ethical problems: 1)Pressure to meet numbers or performance goals 2)Fear and silence 3)A culture of non-productive conflict 4)A strong sense of being unique/exceptional 5)Minimal accountability or checks and balances

Framework 1)Do a pre-mortem 2)Analyze how you got into the situation in the first place 3)Identify the primary people who can influence the situation and/or will be affected by its outcome 4)Articulate the principles that might apply 5)Determine and prioritize the viable options 6)Choose an option and act

Questions?

Contact Closing thought: Check out Lockheed Martin’s “The Ethics Challenge” board game featuring Dilbert and Dogbert Cath Polito