Ethics

What is the basis for moral criticism? A well thought-out code of ethics All engineering societies have promulgated a version of a code of ethics. They are all very similar. CODES OF ETHICS

Statement of a code of ethics is an explicit recognition of the implicit contract between the professional and the society in which he functions. CODES OF ETHICS CODES OF ETHICS continued…

The “meeting of the minds” between society and the engineer is based on assumption that the engineer will act objectively in the best interest of the client, as long as what is requested is lawful and not harmful to others. CODES OF ETHICS CODES OF ETHICS continued…

The test of competency to enter into the contract is the preparation and careful practice of the engineer in carrying out tasks in his/her area of expertise. Note how these elements are stated or implied in the examples of ethical codes which we will survey. CODES OF ETHICS CODES OF ETHICS continued…

ECE Related Ethical Codes IEEE NSPE

IEEE’s CODE OF ETHICS We, the members of the IEEE, … agree: 1. to accept responsibility in making decisions consistent with the safety, health and welfare of the public, and to disclose promptly factors that might endanger the public or the environment; 2. to avoid real or perceived conflicts of interest whenever possible, and to disclose them to affected parties when they do exist; 3. to be honest and realistic in stating claims or estimates based on available data; 4. to reject bribery in all its forms; 5. to improve the understanding of technology, its appropriate application, and potential consequences;

IEEE’s CODE OF ETHICS IEEE’s CODE OF ETHICS continued… 6. to maintain and improve our technical competence and to undertake technological tasks for others only if qualified by training or experience, or after full disclosure of pertinent limitations; 7. to seek, accept, and offer honest criticism of technical work, to acknowledge and correct errors, and to credit properly the contributions of others; 8. to treat fairly all persons regardless of such factors as race, religion, gender, disability, age, or national origin; 9. to avoid injuring others, their property, reputation, or employment by false or malicious action; 10. to assist colleagues and co-workers in their professional development and to support them in following this code of ethics.

NSPE’s 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. 4)Act for each employer or client as faithful agents or trustees. -- Disclosure of confidential business or technical information

NSPE’s CODE OF ETHICS NSPE’s CODE OF ETHICS continued… 5)Avoid deceptive acts. 6)Conduct themselves honorably, responsibly, ethically, and lawfully so as to enhance the honor, reputation, and usefulness of the profession. 7)Responsibility and Accountability → “gross negligence” 8)Engineers shall give credit for engineering work to those whom credit is due, and will recognize the proprietary interests of others.

Application of Ethics Early 19 th Century Idea could revolutionize the world if improved upon Initiative is taken, and filament is enhanced Who takes credit for the idea which “sparked” a new era? Thomas Edison, Heinrich Göbel, or one of the other so-called inventors of the light bulb?

While working for a security company, the project engineer asks you to build a complete electronic locking system for the military’s secret vault. Being short on engineers, he ask you to tackle this assignment on your own. Ethically, are you allowed to design this device? Application of Ethics

ETHICS IN ACTION Decisions on ethical matters seem clear in hindsight, but are sometimes difficult to make during the actual transactions which lead up to the decision. Consider the Challenger disaster, a tragic example of flawed decision making.

In January, 1968 the freezing temperatures were being predicted for the night of Jan at Cape Canaveral prior to the scheduled launch. The Morton-Thiokol representative at the Cape arranged a teleconference between NASA and M-T engineers at their plant in Utah. M-T engineers expressed concern to their management and to NASA that the O-ring seals might not work effectively. ETHICS IN ACTION ETHICS IN ACTION CONTINUED…

During a break, a Senior VP told the engineering VP: “take off your engineering hat and put on your management hat.” A subsequent vote of managers only for M-T advanced the position that the seals could not be shown to be unsafe. This was communicated to NASA officials, who decided to launch. You have no doubt seen the result, along with tens of millions of other people, on TV - live or replay. ETHICS IN ACTION ETHICS IN ACTION CONTINUED…

It is easy to think that you can resist such pressures, but only if there is a clear thought out policy of ethics before the fact. “Eternal vigilance is a price of your professional reputation.” ETHICS IN ACTION ETHICS IN ACTION CONTINUED…

SUMMARY Professionals have a contract with society. This contract grants them much autonomy in return for their placing the interests of their clients and the public foremost in their actions.

When there is a dilemma between the interests of their client (or employer) and those of the public, the codes of ethics are clear: The health, safety and welfare of the public comes before all other considerations. SUMMARY SUMMARY CONTINUED…

More often than not, ethical decisions come as dilemmas. In such cases, the choices are not easy to make and must be carefully thought out. Being thoroughly familiar with a code of ethics aids in deciding.