Professionalism and Ethics Murali Varanasi September 16, 2009

What is a Profession? In a broad sense, any occupation by which to earn a living. In a broad sense, any occupation by which to earn a living. the people who do a type of work, considered as a group. the people who do a type of work, considered as a group. any type of work which needs special training or a particular skill, often one which is respected. B) because it involves a high level of education. any type of work which needs special training or a particular skill, often one which is respected. B) because it involves a high level of education. Finally, which is held to set standards and code of ethics. Finally, which is held to set standards and code of ethics.

What is a Profession? For our purpose, professions are those forms of work involving advanced expertise, self- regulation and serving the public good. For our purpose, professions are those forms of work involving advanced expertise, self- regulation and serving the public good. Examples: Doctors, Lawyers, Engineers. Examples: Doctors, Lawyers, Engineers. Can we distinguish between a profession and an occupation? Can we distinguish between a profession and an occupation?

Discussion Michael Davies defines a profession as : Michael Davies defines a profession as : “ A profession is a number of individuals in the same occupation voluntarily organized to earn a living by openly serving a certain morally permissible way beyond what law, market and [everyday] morality would otherwise require” “ A profession is a number of individuals in the same occupation voluntarily organized to earn a living by openly serving a certain morally permissible way beyond what law, market and [everyday] morality would otherwise require”

In that case, carpenters, barbers and porters, and other groups who organize their work around a shared code of ethics should be recognized as professionals. In that case, carpenters, barbers and porters, and other groups who organize their work around a shared code of ethics should be recognized as professionals. What about athletes? What about athletes? Do you agree or disagree, and why? Can this issue be settled by a reference to dictionary ? Do you agree or disagree, and why? Can this issue be settled by a reference to dictionary ? Discussion – cont.

Do the following definitions, or partial definitions, of professionalism express something important, or do they express unwarranted views? Do the following definitions, or partial definitions, of professionalism express something important, or do they express unwarranted views? Consider:

a. “Professionalism implies a certain set of attitudes. A professional analyzes problems from a base of knowledge in a specific area, in a manner which is objective and independent of self – interest and directed towards the best interests of his client. In fact, the professional’s task is to know what is best for his client even if his client does not know himself”. a. “Professionalism implies a certain set of attitudes. A professional analyzes problems from a base of knowledge in a specific area, in a manner which is objective and independent of self – interest and directed towards the best interests of his client. In fact, the professional’s task is to know what is best for his client even if his client does not know himself”. Consider:

b. “So long as the individual is looked upon as an employee rather than as a free artisan, to that extent there is no professional status”. b. “So long as the individual is looked upon as an employee rather than as a free artisan, to that extent there is no professional status”. Consider:

c. “ A truly professional man will go beyond the call of duty. He will assume his just share of the responsibility to use his special knowledge to make his community, his state, and his nation a better place in which to live. He will give freely of his time, his energy, and his worldly goods to assist his fellow man and promote the welfare of his community. He will assume his full share of civic responsibility.” c. “ A truly professional man will go beyond the call of duty. He will assume his just share of the responsibility to use his special knowledge to make his community, his state, and his nation a better place in which to live. He will give freely of his time, his energy, and his worldly goods to assist his fellow man and promote the welfare of his community. He will assume his full share of civic responsibility.” Consider:

Disputes arise over how a person becomes or should become a member of an accepted profession. Such disputes often occur in engineering. Each of the following has been proposed as a criterion for being a “professional engineer” in United States. Assess these definitions to determine which, if any, captures what you think should be a part of meaning of “engineers ”. Disputes arise over how a person becomes or should become a member of an accepted profession. Such disputes often occur in engineering. Each of the following has been proposed as a criterion for being a “professional engineer” in United States. Assess these definitions to determine which, if any, captures what you think should be a part of meaning of “engineers ”. Definitions?

a. Earning a bachelor’s degree in engineering at a school approved by ABET (formerly known as the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. (If applied in retrospect, this would rule out Leonardo Da Vinci, Thomas Edison, and Nicola Tesla) a. Earning a bachelor’s degree in engineering at a school approved by ABET (formerly known as the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. (If applied in retrospect, this would rule out Leonardo Da Vinci, Thomas Edison, and Nicola Tesla) Definitions?

b. Performing work commonly recognized as what engineers do. (This rules out many engineers who have become full-time managers, but embraces some people who do not hold engineering degrees.) b. Performing work commonly recognized as what engineers do. (This rules out many engineers who have become full-time managers, but embraces some people who do not hold engineering degrees.) Definitions?

c. In the united states, being officially registered and licensed as a professional Engineer (PE). Becoming registered typically includes: c. In the united states, being officially registered and licensed as a professional Engineer (PE). Becoming registered typically includes: Definitions?

(1) Passing the Engineer-in-Training Examination shortly after or before graduation from an engineering school (1) Passing the Engineer-in-Training Examination shortly after or before graduation from an engineering school (2) Working four to five years at responsible engineering. (2) Working four to five years at responsible engineering. (3)Passing a professional examination, and (3)Passing a professional examination, and (4) Paying the requisite registration fees. (4) Paying the requisite registration fees. (Only those engineers whose work directly affects public safety and who sign official documents such as drawings for buildings are required to be registered as PE’s. Engineers who practice in manufacturing or teach at engineering schools are exempt. Nevertheless, many require their PE license out of respect for the profession or for prestige.) (Only those engineers whose work directly affects public safety and who sign official documents such as drawings for buildings are required to be registered as PE’s. Engineers who practice in manufacturing or teach at engineering schools are exempt. Nevertheless, many require their PE license out of respect for the profession or for prestige.) Definitions?

d. Acting in morally responsible ways while practicing engineering. The standards for responsible conduct might be those specified in engineering codes of ethics or an even fuller set of valid standards. d. Acting in morally responsible ways while practicing engineering. The standards for responsible conduct might be those specified in engineering codes of ethics or an even fuller set of valid standards. ( This rules out scoundrels, no matter how creative they maybe in practice of engineering ) Definitions?

e. Continuous Improvement: Imagine presenting a computer design utilizing vacuum tube technology. e. Continuous Improvement: Imagine presenting a computer design utilizing vacuum tube technology. Definitions?

Character The Professional Choice, Integrity, Honesty, Truthfulness, Forthrightness, Trustworthiness, Being Responsible, Being Diligent, Doing What Is Right, and Projecting a Professional Image Character The Professional Choice, Integrity, Honesty, Truthfulness, Forthrightness, Trustworthiness, Being Responsible, Being Diligent, Doing What Is Right, and Projecting a Professional Image Attitude The Professional Approach, Adopting a Service Mentality, Seeking Responsibility, Determination, and Being a Team Player Attitude The Professional Approach, Adopting a Service Mentality, Seeking Responsibility, Determination, and Being a Team Player Excellence Pressing for Excellence, Continual Improvement, Being Attentive, and Following Instructions Excellence Pressing for Excellence, Continual Improvement, Being Attentive, and Following Instructions Competency Expertise, Performance, Personal Effectiveness, and Being a Good Communicator Competency Expertise, Performance, Personal Effectiveness, and Being a Good Communicator Conduct Professional Maturity, Manners Matter, Loyalty, Respect for Authority, Confidences and Confidentiality, and A Touch of Class Conduct Professional Maturity, Manners Matter, Loyalty, Respect for Authority, Confidences and Confidentiality, and A Touch of Class The Five Keys Summary of each of the Five Keys to Being a True Professional

DEFINITION - Globalization the interaction and expansion of scientific and engineering discoveries geographically causing specificity of career paths within a discipline.

DEFINITION – Team Building necessary interaction of individuals and groups as a consequence of specialization and globalization.

DEFINITION - Ethics The science of human duty; the body of rules of duty drawn from this science; a particular system of principles and rules concerting duty, whether true or false; rules of practice in respect to a single class of human actions; as, political or social ethics; medical ethics. [1913 Webster] [1913 Webster]

Why study Ethics? - 1 Engineering projects impact society Engineering projects impact society Engineers share responsibility to create new products, prevent harm and alert dangers Engineers share responsibility to create new products, prevent harm and alert dangers Engineering students should become aware of situations in which moral reasons come into conflict and correct actions are not obvious Engineering students should become aware of situations in which moral reasons come into conflict and correct actions are not obvious One level of ethical responsibility is for decisions made by individual and companies One level of ethical responsibility is for decisions made by individual and companies

Why study Ethics? - 2 At another level, issues such as technological advances, responsibilities of engineers, professional societies, and industrial organizations are important. At another level, issues such as technological advances, responsibilities of engineers, professional societies, and industrial organizations are important. Many professional societies have developed a code of ethics for their members Many professional societies have developed a code of ethics for their members Electrical Engineers belong to IEEE Electrical Engineers belong to IEEE

Why study Ethics? - 3 Typical topics in study of ethics include: Typical topics in study of ethics include: Moral awareness and reasoning Moral awareness and reasoning Taking responsibility Taking responsibility Respect for persons Respect for persons Tolerance of diversity Tolerance of diversity Resolving moral conflicts Resolving moral conflicts Minimizing harm to humans and animals Minimizing harm to humans and animals

Why study Ethics? - 4 Commitment to safety Commitment to safety Workplace responsibilities and rights Workplace responsibilities and rights Honesty Honesty Environmental issues Environmental issues Global issues Global issues Computer ethics Computer ethics

References Ethics in Engineering, 4 th edition Ethics in Engineering, 4 th edition Martin and Schinzinger Martin and Schinzinger McGraw-Hill, Inc McGraw-Hill, Inc