Transcript Engineering without Ethics

Recipe for Disaster:
Engineering without Ethics
Dr. C. Dianne Martin
Professor, Computer Science
The George Washington University
[email protected]
1
Welcome to the Moral High Ground!
2
Why Ethics in Computer Science?
BOB, I’LL NEVER MAKE A NAME FOR
MYSELF IN THE HIGH-TECH INDUSTRY!
ALL THE BIG COMPUTER NETWORKS
HAVE ALREADY BEEN BROKEN INTO!
IS THAT REALLY
HOW THE BIG
COMPANIES FIND
YOUNG TALENT,
BUD?
YEAH!
IT’S THE ONLY
PROFESSION WHERE
COMMITTING A FELONY
IS CONSIDERED A
CAREER MOVE
3
The Cherynobyl Lesson
• This was no accident!
• Modern disaster lesson:
–Highly intelligent engineers and
scientists
–Advanced technologies
–Unethical decisions
4
Ethics Defined
• Study of human morality
• Determining values in human conduct
• Deciding the “right thing to do” based upon a set of norms
• In Engineering:
– dealing with colleagues
– dealing with clients
– dealing with employees
– dealing with “users’
– dealing with public
5
Why Focus on Ethics?
 Raise awareness - ethics radar
 Make decisions – make the right choice
 Take action – do the right thing
 Personal integrity and self-respect
# 1 element of professional reputation
 HIGH ETHICS -> HIGH PROFITS
6
Analysis of an Ethical Quandry
1. Who are the “stakeholders?”
2. What are the KEY statements (clues)
in the problem?
3. What are the legal considerations?
4. What are the possible actions to be
taken? (generate options)
5. Is there a clearly “right” action to be
taken? (evaluate options)
7
3 Ethical “What’s”
•What? situation
•So What? impact
•Now What? reaction
Awareness
Analysis
Action
8
The Ford Pinto Case
During crash tests which proceeded
the introduction of the Pinto to the
public, it became evident that there
was a serious design flaw. The gas tank
was so designed that when it was involved
in a rear end collision at an impact speed
of 20 MPH or greater, the tank was apt to rupture, causing a fire and
explosion. The tank was only 5’ forward of the rear sheet metal of the
body and only 3’ from the back rear axle. In most rear-end crashes, the
axle housing deformed the tank and sharp bolts punctured the tank.
Following crash tests, the conclusion was that the rear end structure was
not satisfactory. Suggested changes would have cost about $11 per car.
A confidential company memo directed that the safety features not be
adopted at that time until required by law.
ECONOMICS OR ETHICS ???
9
Engineering as an Ethical Profession
• What is a Profession?
– special expertise
– shared moral values
– dependent public
– self-regulation
– promote and protect right actions
• The responsibility to be ethical
• The right to be ethical
• Values embedded in technology
10
How to evaluate a code of ethics.
 Will the code of ethics enable an employee to make the
right decisions when situations arise?
 Will it provide a positive source of public evaluation,
enhance reputation, and build public trust?
 Will it enable new employees to be effectively socialized
into the professional culture, know what’s expected?
 Is it specific enough to deter unethical behavior and
provide support to the employee who wants to do the
right thing?
 Can it be used to provide legal protection to employees
during litigation?
11
So Why Bother With Ethics??
• Special knowledge
• Involved in decision-making
• Engineering pervades society
BOTTOM LINE: Practicing engineers are
more apt to get into trouble as a result of
a failure to properly anticipate and handle
ethical problems rather than as a result of
a traditional engineering problems!
12
Results of the Ethics Equation
ETHICAL BEHAVIOR
• Quality products
• Conservation of
resources
• Pride in work
• Public safety
• Timeliness
• GOOD BUSINESS
UNETHICAL BEHAVIOR
•
•
•
•
•
•
Shoddy products
Waste, fraud, greed
Abuse of expertise
Guilt, fear
Lack of safety
Cutting corners
– poor design
– rushed testing
• DISASTERS!
13
Ethics will be THE issue of the 21st Century
• Modern recipe for disaster:
–Highly intelligent engineers and
scientists
–Advanced technologies
–Unethical decisions
• Remember Cherynobyl, Challenger,
Pinto, Robert Morris computer virus,
Mars lander.....
14
Thanks for your attention!
QUESTIONS??
Dr. C. Dianne Martin
Professor, Computer Science
The George Washington University
[email protected]
15