1. Introduction To Ethics
Goals
Introduce and Define Ethics
Develop a Process for Responding to Ethical Problems
Understand the Role of Engineering Codes of Ethics
Practice the Process on Engineering Cases
This session assumes that the students have worked through the pre-class website materials on ethics and engineering ethics. A very limited review of the material presented there is given for reinforcement (The first two bullets.) NSPE code of ethics will be used as example code. Hopefully the bulk of the class will be familiar with working in a discussion mode on case studies, using the method introduced in pre-reading.
Introduction To Ethics

2. Defining Ethics
Ethics - synonyms for “morally correct” or justified - set of justified moral principles of obligation, rights, and ideals
Ethics - particular beliefs or attitudes concerning morality
Ethics - area of study or inquiry – an activity of understanding moral values, resolving moral issues, and justifying moral judgments
Main source here is Martin & Schinzinger; Chap 1, pages 8 and 9
(Note that student’s do not purchase this text)
In one sense, the word ethics and its grammatical variants are synonyms for “morally correct” or justified. In this usage, engineering ethics amounts to the set of justified moral principles of obligation, rights, and ideals that ought to be endorsed, as they apply generally to engineering in particular, by those engaged in engineering. Clarifying such principles and applying them to concrete situations is the central goal of engineering ethics as an area of study.
In a second sense the word ethics refers to the particular beliefs or attitudes concerning morality that are endorsed by specific groups or individuals. Using this sense, engineering ethics consists of the requirements specified in the currently accepted engineering codes of ethics. (We will look at the NSPE Code of Ethics later in the class.) Alternatively, engineering ethics may refer to the actual conduct of individuals who are engineers.
In the sense we will use most ethics refers to an area of study or inquiry – an activity of understanding moral values, resolving moral issues, and justifying moral judgments.
Introduction To Ethics

3. What are moral values? What is morality?
Dictionary – concerns right and wrong, good and bad, the rules that ought to be followed.
Morality – about reasons centered in respect for other people as well as ourselves, reasons that involve their good as well as our own.
p. 9 of Martin & Schinzinger
Dictionary definition is not necessarily very helpful in putting into practice.
There are a number of theories of the development of ethics and morals. We will not have time to develop those here, but a course (or independent reading) in ethics or engineering ethics in particular would likely provide that.
Working definition for our purpose could be: Morality – about reasons centered in respect for other people as well as ourselves, reasons that involve their good as well as our own.
fair and just
respect for rights of others
keeping promises
avoiding cheating and dishonesty
Introduction To Ethics

4. How are ethics and law related?
Legal & Ethical
Unethical
Ethical
Legal
Illegal
Illegal & Ethical
Illegal & Unethical
Legal & Unethical
It is an interesting question as to how law and ethics relate.
Students should have done this exercise in the pre-reading. Might want to ask for examples they came up with for each quadrant. The following examples were given in the module:
Coming to class
Speeding to for an emergency, not waiting for stop light during emergency
Fraud, theft, murder
Advertising in a self-selected way (drug ads before disclaimers) or sharing the content of an exam for the students who have not yet taken the exam
Summary: Ethics is related but different from and above the law. Ethical behavior is references to, but more than legal behavior. Mostly involves action (what we do), not knowledge (what we know). May “know” the law and a) still not know what is morally or ethically correct, or b) may chose to violate the law. The personalized way you see your values profile to make value-laden decisions is involved.
Introduction To Ethics

5. Developing a Well-Reasoned Response to a Moral Dilemma
Moral dilemmas are situations in which two or more moral obligations, duties, rights, goods, or ideals come into conflict with one another.
How does one decide whether a response is well-reasoned? What criteria apply? Can we reliably judge?
Varies approaches to ethical or moral dilemmas are presented in the literature on ethics, in particular philosophy textbook on the topic. We will use a very basic definition of moral dilemma.
Introduction To Ethics

6. Responses can be judged on these criteria:
Whether the response addresses each of the issues and points of ethical conflict presented in the case or problem;
Whether each interested party’s legitimate expectations are considered;
Whether the consequences of acting are recognized, specifically described (not just generally mentioned), and incorporated into the decision; and
Whether each of the duties or obligations of the protagonist are described and grounded in moral considerations.
We will use a fairly simple approach as outlined in the pre-reading. This is not the only possible approach, but give a common one that we can then use to structure case study discussions.
These terms should be familiar to the students from the pre-reading and exercises.
Might want to ask if they have any questions regarding these.
Review Definition of Protagonist - protagonist. leading figure: a main participant in an event, for example, a contest or dispute, for example, "two protagonists in a long-running dispute"
NOTE: definition and UNDERSTANDING of the difference between a protagonist and other interested parties and how these two pieces interact is extremely important and this importance will be reflected on the online quiz for homework!!!!
Introduction To Ethics

7. Engineering Ethics
Why Ethics should be important to you as an engineer
What resources are available to help you make ethical decisions when confronted with a moral dilemma
Introduction To Ethics

8. Example: The Challenger Explosion
Mission 51 - NASA January 28, 1986
During the online module, students had to complete read a case similar to the Challenger case but with a lot less detail. However, after completing the quiz that went along with the case and identifying stakeholders, consequences, and obligations, they also had the option to look at a lot of information on the Challenger case and its ethical dilemmas. There is not a guarantee that students will have read the specific information, however, they may be able to get a idea based on the sample quiz.
Click on the left picture for a video of the challenger explosion.
You can use this case, or one from your own experience, as a lead-in to why engineers need to have a Code of Ethics to guide their behavior (just as other professions do).
Introduction To Ethics

9. Engineering Ethics
Engineering ethics is the study of the moral values, issues, and decisions involved in engineering practice.
responsibilities
ideals
character traits
social policies
relationships desirable from individuals and corporations engaged in engineering.
Want to focus on they are going to school to become engineers. Engineering ethics is a sub or specialized field that cross ethics and practice of engineering. We could do whole courses on this topic alone.
Engineering ethics is the study of the moral values, issues, and decisions involved in engineering practice. The moral values take on forms including:
responsibilities
ideals
character traits
social policies
relationships desirable from individuals and corporations engaged in engineering
Introduction To Ethics

10. Ethics and Practicing Engineering
Family
Global Environment
Clients or Consumers
Engineering Profession
Law, Government & Public
Industry & Other Firms
Engineering Firm
Engineer
Manager
Colleagues
This figure is very similar a Figure in the reading.
Point of this slide is to point out that engineers work in a system.
This system also includes their families. If they lose their job or it impacts their performance it will impact family. If not comfortable with work will impact family.
Want to focus on what engineering professions can bring as resources, like Codes of Ethics. Page 17 (Martin & Schinzinger)
Introduction To Ethics

11. Engineering Code of Ethics
Some professional organizations have addressed the complexity of moral issues in their fields by developing codes of ethics
Professional codes of ethics consist primarily of principles of responsibility that delineate how to promote the public good.
Roles of Codes of Ethics
Introduction To Ethics

12. Roles of Codes Shared Standards Positive Support to Act Ethically
Guidance Concerning Obligations
Motivation
Education
Deterrence and Discipline
Professional Image
Shared Values – The great diversity of moral views makes it essential that professions establish explicit standards. Shared standards throughout the profession has values, even if not idea.
Support – Codes give positive support to those seeking to act ethically. “I am bound by the code of ethics of my profession to …”
Guidance – Give helpful guidance concerning the main obligations of engineers. More specific directions may be in supplemental materials or can be developed by discussion based on fundamental guidance. Give forum to discuss.
Inspiration – Reflections profession’s positive statement of intent. Show that you have support of others for following positive ethical practices.
Education and Mutual Understanding – Good tool for classroom and continuing education. Case studies published ever issue of NSPE Newsletter for example. These examples and discussion help develop common understanding and experience.
Deterrence and Discipline – Can serve as the formal basis for investigation of unethical conduct. Professional societies do suspend members based on violations.
Contributing to the Professional Image – Positive image to the public of a committed professional. Represents self-regulation of the profession that helps reduce other regulation.
Need to acknowledge that code can be abused and does have limitations. For example, people may want to protect public image (of themselves or their company) when wrong has occurred or want to protect the status quo when progress is needed. Codes are no substitute for individuals grapping with concrete dilemmas
Introduction To Ethics

13. NSPE Code of Ethics for Engineers
Preamble
I. Fundamental Canons
II. Rules of Practice
III. Professional Obligations
Briefly go over the structure of the Code of Ethics. Note that other societies and professions may have code that have a different format.
Note that students should have reviewed this online when completing the module. They do not have paper copies in their course packets.
NSPE: National Society of Professional Engineers
Introduction To Ethics

14. Fundamental Canon
Engineers, in the fulfillment of their professional duties, shall:
Hold paramount the safety, health and welfare of the public.
Perform services only in areas of their competence.
Issue public statements only in an objective and truthful manner.
Canon – an accepted principle or – an official and authoritative list
NOTE: List of 6 fundamental canons is continued on the next slide
Introduction To Ethics

15. Fundamental Canon
Act for each employer or client as faithful agents or trustees.
Avoid deceptive acts.
Conduct themselves honorably, responsibly, ethically, and lawfully so as to enhance the honor, reputation, and usefulness of the profession.
Canon – an accepted principle or – an official and authoritative list
Introduction To Ethics

16. In-Class Exercise & Discussion Application of the Code
Handouts: NSPE Code of Ethics, Sample Cases
Large Group Discussion: Case 1
Small Group Discussion:
Using the sample case provided, fill out the in-class discussion worksheet and write any comments on the back
After groups have completed this exercise, groups will report back to the class on their findings
In your packet of materials, you have 6 sample cases that you can use for discussion in your class. You were also provided with in-class discussion handouts for each member of your class. The purpose of this exercise is to make sure students understand the methodology discussed in the module and this presentation. Try to be sure students don’t get caught up in the details of the case before laying it out based on the methodology. The worksheets should help in this regard.
In-Class Discussion Process
Display the first case for the class. Using the worksheet, have the class help you fill out the different sections of the worksheet for the first case.
Pass out one case per table
Have each table do a case together. One person at the table would fill out the worksheet. Let them discuss for some amount of time,
Bring the full group back together and discuss each case
Since more than one table will have the same case, let students at different tables debate if they have non-corresponding answers on their handouts.
Introduction To Ethics

17. Assignment – Concept & Application Quiz
On WebCT, in the Ethics Module section.
You will have to:
Be able to answer general questions about the methodology and terminology related to ethics
Be able to apply terminology and methodology to a case similar to the exercises completed in class today
Check syllabus for due date
Introduction To Ethics

18. Summary Defined ethics and engineering ethics
Tried one approach to developing a well-reasoned response to a moral dilemma
Introduced the NSPE Engineering Code of Ethics
Tried application of the Code of Ethics to engineering cases
Summary:
Defined ethics and engineering ethics
One common def. = set of justified moral principles of obligation, rights, and ideals
Eng. Ethics = The study of the moral values, issues, and decisions involved in engineering practice.
Tried one approach to developing a well-reasoned response to a moral dilemma
Issues or points of conflict
Interested Parties (others not mentioned in case may have a stake)
Consequences (identify those that have a good probability of occurring)
Obligations (primarily protagonist toward various interested parties)
Introduced the NSPE Engineering Code of Ethics – remind students that other codes of ethics exit, they may want to check out their societies version.
Tried application of the Code of Ethics to engineering cases
Introduction To Ethics