1. Engineering Ethics ELEC 422, Spring 2006 (kudos to Drs. Peeples and Jerse for portions of this presentation)

2. Introduction What is Engineering? What is Engineering? Engineering is the profession in which a knowledge of the mathematical and natural sciences, gained by study, experience and practice, is applied with judgment to develop ways to utilize, economically, the materials and forces of nature for the benefit of mankind. ABET

3. Introduction What are ethics? What are ethics? 1: a discipline dealing with good and evil and with moral duty 2: moral principles or practices OK, so what does “moral” mean? OK, so what does “moral” mean? 1: of or relating to principles of right and wrong 2: conforming to a standard of right behavior

4. Introduction So, who determines “right” behavior? So, who determines “right” behavior? –Society? –The government? –God? –Basic human nature? What about professional ethics? What about professional ethics? –A subset of ethics at large –Professional societies get involved

5. Ethical Values Honesty Honesty –Freedom from deception –Not just “non-lying” Fairness Fairness –Morally or legally right –Different than equitableness Civility Civility Respect Respect Kindness Kindness

6. Ethical Tests Harm Do the benefits outweigh the harms, short term and long term? Harm Do the benefits outweigh the harms, short term and long term? Reversibility Would I think this choice was good if I traded places? Reversibility Would I think this choice was good if I traded places? Colleague What would professional colleagues say? Colleague What would professional colleagues say? Legality Would this choice violate a law or a policy of my employer? Legality Would this choice violate a law or a policy of my employer? Davis, M (1997), Teaching Philosophy, vol. 20, no. 4, pp 353-385

7. Ethical Tests Publicity How would this choice look on the front page of a newspaper? Publicity How would this choice look on the front page of a newspaper? Common practice What if everyone behaved in this way? Common practice What if everyone behaved in this way? Wise relative What would my wise old aunt or uncle do? Wise relative What would my wise old aunt or uncle do? Davis, M (1997), Teaching Philosophy, vol. 20, no. 4, pp 353-385

8. Engineering Ethics An engineer has a multitude of relationships

9. Engineering Ethics Responsibilities to Co-workers Honest data exchange Honest data exchange Credit where credit is due Credit where credit is due Sharing of resources Sharing of resources

10. Engineering Ethics Responsibilities to Supervisor Realistic appraisal of project status Realistic appraisal of project status Ask for help when needed Ask for help when needed Communicate resource needs Communicate resource needs

11. Engineering Ethics Responsibilities to Upper Management Realistic appraisal of project status Realistic appraisal of project status Implementation of company ethics policies Implementation of company ethics policies Prompt disclosure of potential conflicts of interest and intellectual property Prompt disclosure of potential conflicts of interest and intellectual property

12. Engineering Ethics Responsibilities to Customers Products that work and meet specifications Products that work and meet specifications Products that are safe with known hazards communicated Products that are safe with known hazards communicated Honest claims about current and future products Honest claims about current and future products

13. Engineering Ethics Responsibilities to Vendors Do not accept gratuities Do not accept gratuities Do not give out information about other vendors Do not give out information about other vendors Honest appraisal of component needs Honest appraisal of component needs

14. Engineering Ethics Responsibilities to the Public Safe products Safe products Control of environmental hazards Control of environmental hazards Disclosure of hazardous situations Disclosure of hazardous situations

15. Engineering Ethics Responsibilities to the Government Compliance with regulations using honest data Compliance with regulations using honest data Disclosure of hazardous situations Disclosure of hazardous situations

16. Engineering Ethics A Difficult Task A Difficult Task –Application and interpretation of ethics canons are often not straight-forward –Personal and corporate ethics are not always in alignment –Cover-ups are thought of harshly in the court of public opinion and in courts of law

17. Codes of Ethics Many organizations have their own codes of ethics Many organizations have their own codes of ethics In a court of law you may be held to these standards In a court of law you may be held to these standards Professional organizations may review cases based on their own code of ethics Professional organizations may review cases based on their own code of ethics Codes range from short and idealistic to very lengthy and specific Codes range from short and idealistic to very lengthy and specific

18. Codes of Ethics IEEE Code of Ethics IEEE Code of Ethics –“Aspiration code” –Articulated ideals that IEEE members commit themselves to –Does not deal with specific situations NPSE Code of Ethics NPSE Code of Ethics –Very specific code –NSPE makes rulings on ethical behavior based on the code Tau Beta Pi Code of Ethics Tau Beta Pi Code of Ethics –Essentially the fundamental canons from the NSPE code

19. NSPE Code of Ethics Preamble Engineering is an important and learned profession. As members of this profession, engineers are expected to exhibit the highest standards of honesty and integrity. Engineering has a direct and vital impact on the quality of life for all people. Accordingly, the services provided by engineers require honesty, impartiality, fairness and equity, and must be dedicated to the protection of the public health, safety, and welfare. Engineers must perform under a standard of professional behavior that requires adherence to the highest principles of ethical conduct.

20. NSPE Code of Ethics Engineers, in the fulfillment of their professional duties, shall: 1. 1. Hold paramount the safety, health and welfare of the public. 2. 2. Perform services only in areas of their competence. 3. 3. Issue public statements only in an objective and truthful manner. 4. 4. Act for each employer or client as faithful agents or trustees. 5. 5. Avoid deceptive acts. 6. 6. Conduct themselves honorably, responsibly, ethically, and lawfully so as to enhance the honor, reputation, and usefulness of the profession.

21. The Incident at Morales 2003 production by the National Institute for Engineering Ethics (NIEE) Morales portrays many ethical questions but emphasizes three – –Ethical considerations are an integral part of making engineering decisions – –Although legal requirements may vary among states and nations, ethical obligations do not stop at state or national borders – –Wherever engineers practice, they should strive to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the public.