Transcript The Professional Role of the Engineer

Foundations of
Engineering Ethics
ESI 4554
ISE Senior Design
Goals of this Lecture

Give some basic concepts and tools for moral
analysis and reasoning.

Promote understanding that engineering work, no
matter what branch, can have a great impact on
society.

Engineers have great power, through their
technical knowledge, to bring about social change!

Reinforce your inclinations to act and reason
morally.
“Ethics"
the word ethos, Greek word for
character.
 Concerns concepts of the individual or
group by which actions are judged
“right” or “wrong”.
 From
Some Definitions

1. a system of moral principles: the ethics of a culture.

2. the rules of conduct recognized in respect to a
particular class of human actions or a particular group,
culture, etc.: medical ethics; Christian ethics.

3. moral principles, as of an individual: His ethics forbade
betrayal of a confidence.

4. (usually used with a singular verb) that branch of
philosophy dealing with values relating to human conduct,
with respect to the rightness and wrongness of certain
actions and to the goodness and badness of the motives
and ends of such actions.
Source: www.dictionary.com
Engineering and Ethics
Engineering:
Definition:
Application of scientific principles through the use of
models and technology.
Purpose:
Design new systems and improve existing ones for
the benefit of the human race.
Ethics examines the moral significance of the
creative ability.
The Development Stages of
Moral
1. Pre-conventional level
2. Conventional level
3. Post-conventional level
The Development Stages of
Moral
1. Pre-conventional level

Most primitive.

Conduct judged by actions that directly benefit
the person.

Motivation: desire to avoid punishment, power,
self-gratification.

Natural to young children, may be significant in
some adults.
The Development Stages of
Moral
2. Conventional level.

Standard of morality is stated by one’s family,
group, society.
– ie.: We do what our parent’s say we should do.

Motivation is to please others, to fit in within
a social group.

Self-interest is suppressed.

Morality is equal to legality.
Most people don’t go beyond this level.
The Development Stages of
Moral
3. Post-conventional Level
Individual is autonomous, thinks for him/herself.

Does not accept customs or precepts without analysis.

Analysis is based on general principles.

Motivation: to act morally, above self-interest.

Moral integrity, self-respect and respect for

Others guides all his/her activities.
The Three Phases of Moral Inquiry
What do to when facing a moral dilemma…
1. Gather factual information.
2. Study and analyze information.
(based on concepts, principles and related problems)
3. Evaluate the issue in light of ethical norms and
standards.
Ethics transcends the legal
system.

They overlap when you believe the probability
of “being caught” on a legal wrong is nearly
zero.
 Then, you are your own judge.
Is
?
it ethical?
Is
it legal?
Why Have a System of Ethics?

Gives engineer integrity and consistency in behavior in
all matters: personal and professional.

This is the essence of professional peace.

Most important possession a person will ever have is a
spotless reputation.
– No amount of money, fame or knowledge is an adequate
substitute.
Your Professional Reputation
Regard your good name as the richest jewel
you can possibly be possessed of for credit is like fire;
when once you have kindled it
you may easily preserve it,
but if you once extinguish it,
you will find it an arduous task to rekindle it again.
The way to gain a good reputation
is to endeavor to be what you desire to appear.
Socrates
What to Engineering Students Think
about Ethics?
In your view, what are the characteristics
of ideal professional engineers?
Survey of Engineering Students
at University of Illinois (2004)

Pool included:
– 9 students not taken a course on ethics
– 77 students taking the class Engineering Ethics
Adapted From: http://repo-nt.tcc.virginia.edu/ethics/links.htm
Survey of Engineering Students
at University of Illinois
Survey results showed students grouped
them into four kinds:
– Technical competence and knowledge, problem
solving skills and creativity.
– Communication skills for effective teamwork.
– Conscientiousness, diligence, persistence, and a
drive toward maximal performance.
– High moral standards.
(Notice that ethics was not mentioned, however honesty is implied.)
Adapted From: http://repo-nt.tcc.virginia.edu/ethics/links.htm
Survey of Engineering Students
at University of Illinois
One electrical engineering student wrote:
“A professional engineer seeks to apply their
sound moral reasoning, technical competency,
communication ability, ethical behavior to ALL
situations they are faced with, BOTH on and off
the clock. I will know that I am a professional
engineer when other people see as someone who
possesses the traits I listed above.”
Adapted From: http://repo-nt.tcc.virginia.edu/ethics/links.htm
Survey of Engineering Students
at University of Illinois
Factors in this statement:
- External validation
- “Both on and off the clock”
- Professionalism is integral to the
person’s identity.
Adapted From: http://repo-nt.tcc.virginia.edu/ethics/links.htm
Professionalism for Engineers

Professionalism is an individual state of mind.

It is a way of thinking, working, and living.

It is a way of adding something valuable to
competence.
Professionalism for an engineer means:

Striving to improve his/her work until it becomes a
model for those in his/her field, as a minimum using
the most up-to-date techniques and procedures.

Proper credit for work done and ideas developed by
subordinates.

Loyalty to his/her employer or client, always with
concern for the public safety in construction, product
design, plant operation, and all other phases of
engineering.
Professionalism for an engineer means:

Leadership of less experienced colleagues and
subordinates toward personal development and an
enthusiasm for the profession.

Activity in technical societies in order to keep
current in his/her field.

Participation in professional societies.

Registration.
How to know if an issue becomes
an ethical issue?

Some decisions are easy to make.

Others leave that feeling of uncertainty that
continues to make us question our decision.

An Ethics Quick Test applied to the
decision-making process might help.
– Provides seven checks to examine the ethical
implications of your decisions.
An Ethics Quick Test
1.
Is the action legal? (*)
2.
Does it comply with your understanding of
your company’s values? (*)
3.
If you do it, will you feel bad?
4.
How would it look in the newspaper?
5.
If you know it is wrong, do not do it.
6.
If you are not sure, ask. (*)
7.
Keep asking until you get an answer. (*)
Adapted From: http://repo-nt.tcc.virginia.edu/ethics/links.htm
An Ethics Quick Test (*)

(*) You can get help with the first two and
the last two, by having information
regarding the applicable rules, procedures
and policies.

However, the middle three depend solely on
your personal principles and values.
Adapted From: http://repo-nt.tcc.virginia.edu/ethics/links.htm
What to do in a yellow light?

Often you may see warning signs that we
are making an especially tough decision that
might require special considerations.

If traffic light is green or red, few decisions
to make. Choice may be clear.
Adapted From: http://repo-nt.tcc.virginia.edu/ethics/links.htm
What to do in a yellow light?

If the light is yellow, when it is not a clear
decision, that is when the decision-making
gets tough.
 You must look out for these signs or flags.
 Must be careful to examine every aspect of
the problem.
Adapted From: http://repo-nt.tcc.virginia.edu/ethics/links.htm
What to do in a yellow light?

Like in driving, you may not see a warning…

We can be:
– distracted by a passing concern or a speeding diversion.
– Your eyes are not on the road.
– Don’t understand the rules or perhaps the dangers.
– For whatever reason, we do not recognize the warning.
What to do in a yellow light?
Consider the following questions to help identify
the ethical problem:
1. Would I decide differently or change my opinion
if the financial costs were significantly altered?
2. Am I placing a monetary value on my ethics?
3. Are others pushing this decision onto me because
nobody else wants to make it?
4. If I make this decision, am I going to feel bad?
What to do in a yellow light?
5. Does it conflict with my natural instincts or my
basic values?
6. Do my personal values and my professional
values come in conflict over this decision?
7. Is someone being treated unfairly in my decision?
Will anyone be harmed?
8. Am I responsible for delaying a decision in this
matter?
9. Am I making this decision or taking this action
out of the view of others? Am I tempted to shield
it from my co-workers?
What to do in a yellow light?

A "yes" answer to any of them might indicate
that this situation may require time for extra
caution and consideration in your decisionmaking.

Time for checking your decision with a friend or
co-worker, your manager or supervisor

Be careful: this could be a very important
decision for you and for those who work around
you.
CODE OF ETHICS FOR
ENGINEERS
SUMMARY
(for thorough text, see Appendix)
Preamble
The engineer, to uphold and advance the honor
and dignity of the engineering profession and in
keeping with high standards of ethical conduct:

Will be honest and impartial, and will serve with
devotion his/her employer, his/her clients, and
the public;

Will strive to increase the competence and
prestige of the engineering profession;

Will use his/her knowledge and skill for the
advancement of human welfare.
Section 1: General Behavior Standards.
The Engineer will be guided in all his/her
professional relations by the highest
standards of integrity

He/she will be realistic and honest in all
estimates, reports, statements, and testimony.

He/she will admit and accept his/her own errors.
Section 1: General Behavior Standards.

He/she will advise his/her client or employer
when he/she believes a project will not be
successful.

He/she will not actively participate in strikes,
picket lines, or other collective coercive action.
Section 2: Safety and Welfare of the Public

The Engineer will have proper regard for the safety,
health, and welfare of the public in the performance of
his/her professional duties.

If his/her engineering judgment is overruled by nontechnical authority, he/she will clearly point out the
consequences.
Section 3: Dignity of the Profession

The Engineer will avoid all conduct or practice
likely to discredit or unfavorably reflect upon the
dignity or honor of the profession.

The Engineer shall not advertise his/her
professional services but may utilize the
following means of identification:
– Professional cards and listings in recognized and dignified
publications
– Signs on equipment, offices and at the site of projects
– Brochures, business cards, letterheads and other factual
representations
– Listings in the classified section of telephone directories
Section 4: Safeguarding the profession.

The Engineer will endeavor to extend public knowledge
and appreciation of engineering and its achievements
and to protect the engineering profession from
misrepresentation and misunderstanding.

He/she shall not issue statements, criticisms, or
arguments on matters connected with public policy,
which are inspired or paid for by private interests, unless
he/she indicates on whose behalf he/she is making the
statement.
Section 5: Qualifications & Capabilities


The Engineer will express an opinion of an
engineering subject only when founded on
adequate knowledge and honest conviction.
The Engineer will insist on the use of facts in
reference to an engineering project in a group
discussion, public forum or publication of
articles.
Section 6: Qualifications and Capabilities
The Engineer will undertake engineering assignments
for which he/she will be responsible only when
qualified by training or experience; and he/she will
engage, or advise engaging, experts and specialists
whenever the client's or employer's interests are best
served by such service.
Section 7: Confidentiality

The Engineer will not disclose confidential
information concerning the business affairs or
technical processes of any present or former
client or employer without his/her consent.
Section 8: Conflicts of Interest
•The Engineer will endeavor to avoid a conflict of
interest with his/her employer or client, but when
unavoidable, the Engineer shall fully disclose the
circumstances to his/her employer or client.
•An engineer shall not solicit or accept an
engineering contract from a governmental body
on which a principal or officer of his/her
organization serves as a member.
Section 9: Compensation and Wages

The Engineer will uphold the principle of
appropriate and adequate compensation for those
engaged in engineering work.

He/she will not undertake or agree to perform any
engineering service on a free basis, except for
civic, charitable, religious, or eleemosynary
nonprofit organizations when the professional
services are advisory in nature.
Section 9: Compensation and Wages

He/she will not undertake work at a fee or
salary below the accepted standards of the
profession in the area.

When hiring other engineers, he/she shall
offer a salary according to the engineer's
qualifications and the recognized standards
in the particular geographical area.
Section 10: Compensation

The Engineer will not accept compensation,
financial or otherwise, from more than one
interested party for the same service, or for
services pertaining to the same work, unless
there is full disclosure to and consent of all
interested parties.

He/she will not accept commissions or
allowances, directly or indirectly, from contractors
of other parties dealing with his/her clients or
employer in connection with work for which
he/she is responsible.
Section 11: Compensation

The Engineer will not accept compensation,
financial or otherwise, from more than one
interested party for the same service, or for
services pertaining to the same work, unless
there is full disclosure to and consent of all
interested parties.

He/she will not accept commissions or
allowances, directly or indirectly, from contractors
of other parties dealing with his/her clients or
employer in connection with work for which
he/she is responsible.
Section 11: Competition
The Engineer will not compete unfairly with another
engineer by attempting to obtain employment or
advancement or professional engagements by
competitive bidding, by taking advantage of a salaried
position, by criticizing other engineers, or by other
improper or questionable methods.
He/she will not offer to pay, either directly or indirectly,
any commission, political contribution, or a gift, or other
consideration in order to secure work, exclusive of
securing salaried positions through employment
agencies.
Section 11: Competition
While in a salaried position, he/she will accept part-time
engineering work only at a salary or fee not less than
that recognized as standard in the area.
An engineer will not use equipment, supplies, laboratory,
or office facilities of his/her employer to carry on outside
private practice without consent.
Section 12: Peer Relations

The Engineer will not attempt to injure, maliciously or
falsely, directly or indirectly, the professional reputation,
prospects, practice or employment of another engineer,
nor will he/she indiscriminately criticize another engineer's
work in public. If he/she believes that another engineer
is guilty of unethical or illegal practice, he/she shall
present such information to the proper authority for
action.

An Engineer in private practice will not review the work of
another engineer for the same client, except with the
knowledge of such engineer, or unless the connection of
such engineer with the work has been terminated.
Section 13: Name Abuse
The Engineer will not associate with or allow the use of
his/her name by an enterprise of questionable character,
nor will he/she become professionally associated with
engineers who do not conform to ethical practices, or
with persons not legally qualified to render the
professional services for which the association is
intended.
Section 14: Credit
The Engineer will give credit for engineering work
to who credit is due, and will recognize the
proprietary interests of others.
 Whenever possible, he/she will name the person
or persons who may be individually responsible
for designs, inventions, writings, or other
accomplishments.
 When an engineer uses designs supplied to him
by a client, the designs remain the property of
the client and should not be duplicated by the
Engineer for others without express permission.

Section 14: Credit

Before undertaking work for others in connection
with which he/she may make improvements,
plans, designs, inventions, or other records which
may justify copy-rights or patents, the Engineer
should enter into a positive agreement regarding
the ownership.

Designs, data, records, and notes made by an
engineer and referring exclusively to his/her
employer's work are his/her employer's property.
Section 15: Cooperation
 The Engineer will cooperate in extending the effectiveness
of the profession by interchanging information and
experience with other engineers and students, and will
endeavor to provide opportunity for the professional
development and advancement of engineers under his/her
supervision.
 He/she will encourage his/her engineering employees'
efforts to improve their education.
 He/she will encourage engineering employees to attend
and present papers at professional and technical society
meetings.
Section 15: Cooperation

He/she will urge his/her engineering employees to
become registered at the earliest possible date.

He/she will assign professional engineer duties of
a nature to utilize his/her full training and
experience, insofar as possible, and delegate
lesser functions to sub-professionals or to
technicians.
Section 15 Cooperation
He/she will urge his/her engineering employees to
become registered at the earliest possible date.
 He/she will assign professional engineer duties of
a nature to utilize his/her full training and
experience, insofar as possible, and delegate
lesser functions to sub-professionals or to
technicians.
 He/she will provide a prospective engineering
employee with complete information on working
conditions and his/her proposed status of
employment, and after employment will keep him
informed of any changes in them.

Section 15 Cooperation
 The Engineer will cooperate in extending the effectiveness
of the profession by interchanging information and
experience with other engineers and students, and will
endeavor to provide opportunity for the professional
development and advancement of engineers under his/her
supervision.
 He/she will encourage his/her engineering employees'
efforts to improve their education.
 He/she will encourage engineering employees to attend
and present papers at professional and technical society
meetings.