1. rJ noAitaA taooD trDh:AohtuA
t Engineering Ethics
The rules and standards which govern the conduct of
engineers in their role as professionals. Engineering
ethics are similar to general ethics, but apply to the
specific issues which affect engineering professionals.
Engineering ethics is the study of moral issues and
decisions confronting individuals and organizations
engaged in engineering.
The study of related questions about moral ideals,
character, policies and relationship of people and
corporations involved in technological activity.
2. rJ noAitaA taooD trDh:AohtuA
WHY STUDY ENGINEERING
ETHICS?
- What is the point in studying engineering ethics?
- What can be gained from taking a course in ethics?
Engineering ethics course is not about preaching virtue
rather, its objective is to increase your ability as
engineers to responsibly confront moral issues raised by
technological activity.
Increased awareness of importance due to publicity
surrounding high profile engineering failures.
Engineering decisions can impact public health, safety,
business practices and politics. Engineers should be
aware of moral implications as they make decisions in
the workplace.
3. rJ noAitaA taooD trDh:AohtuA
The scope of engineering ethics
See fig.
4. rJ noAitaA taooD trDh:AohtuA
t Questionable Engineering Practices
- Trimming – “smoothing of irregularities to make data
look extremely accurate and precise"
- Cooking – “retaining only those results that fit the
theory and discarding others"
- Forging – “inventing some or all of the research data"
- Plagiarism – misappropriating intellectual property.
- Conflicts of interest (such as accepting gifts).
- Actual
- Potential
- Apparent
Ethical Issues Faced by Engineers
- Public Safety
- Bribery and Fraud
- Environmental Protection
- Fairness
- Honesty in Research and Testing
- Conflicts of Interest
5. rJ noAitaA taooD trDh:AohtuA
Goal
Sensitize you to the important ethical issues before you
have to confront them.
Moral autonomy:
To think critically and independently about moral issues.
To apply this moral thinking to situations that arises in
professional engineering practice.
Ethics
Ethics define rules or norms for acceptable and
unacceptable behavior
What does it mean to “Do the Right Thing”?
Behaving Ethically Includes:
Being honest.
Keeping promises.
Doing your job well.
Not stealing.
6. rJ noAitaA taooD trDh:AohtuA
Ethical Views (cont’d) : Reaching the Right
Decision:
-There is no formula to solve ethical problems.
-The professional must consider trade-offs.
-Ethical theories help to identify important
principles or guidelines.
Ethical Views (cont’d) Some Important
Distinctions (cont’d):
-Goals vs. actions: the actions we take to
achieve our goals should be consistent with
our ethical constraints.
-Personal preference vs. ethics: some issues we
disapprove of because of our dislikes, rather
than on ethical grounds.
-Law vs. ethics: some acts are ethical, but
illegal; other acts are legal, but unethical.