Transcript 1100ClassNotesSet02v14

ECE 1100: Introduction to
Electrical and Computer Engineering
Lecture Notes – Set #2
Dr. Dave Shattuck
Associate Professor, ECE Dept.
[email protected]
713 743-4422
W326-D3
Slides adapted from lectures by Len Trombetta
Engineering Ethics
References:
• Martin and Schinzinger, Ethics in Engineering,
2e., McGraw Hill, N. Y., 1989
• Harris, Pritchard, and Rabins, Engineering
Ethics, Wadsworth Publishing Co., N. Y., 1995
Definitions
Engineering Ethics (Martin and Schinzinger):
• The study of moral issues and decisions
confronting engineers.
• The study of questions about moral conduct,
character, ideals, and relationships among people in
engineering.
Ethical Decision-Making
• Ethical Decisions vs.
Analytical Decisions
• Codes of Ethics
• National Society of
Professional Engineers (NSPE)
• IEEE
Definitions (con’t)
Moral (Webster’s New Collegiate Dictionary)
• Of or relating to principles of right and wrong
behavior: ethical.
• Conforming to a standard of right behavior.
• Sanctioned by or operative on one’s conscience or
ethical judgement.
Is This a Problem?
Are engineers ethical?
Heinz’s Dilemma
A woman dying from a rare disease must have an expensive
drug that her doctors think will help her. She and her
husband Heinz cannot afford the drug, in part because the
local pharmacist is charging ten times the cost of producing
the drug. The pharmacist has invented the drug and remains
its only source. Heinz attempts to borrow the money but is
able to raise only half of what is needed. He asks the
pharmacist to reduce the price or to accept half now and the
remainder later, but the pharmacist refuses. In desperation,
Heinz breaks into the pharmacy and steals the drug.
Was Heinz’s theft justified? Did Heinz do the right thing?
Blame vs. Responsibility
We can choose to...
...abide by minimum standards and attempt to
assign blame when something goes wrong, or
...assume “positive responsibility” by looking
ahead to possible problems, and proactively
asking what we can best do to minimize risk and
harm.
Blame vs. Responsibility
We can choose to...
...abide by minimum standards and attempt to assign blame
when something goes wrong, or
...assume “positive responsibility” by looking ahead to
possible problems, and proactively asking what we can best
do to minimize risk and harm.
The Bhopal Disaster (India, ca. 1984): A Union Carbide plant released a
toxic cloud of gas (methyl isocyanate), exposing 100’s of thousands.
Cause: Systematic lack of concern for basic safety issues; gradual decay
of safety procedures and worker training; shut-down of emergency
systems to save money.
The Trade-Off
Safety vs. Cost
No product can be engineered to be absolutely
safe, and still practical and affordable.
No procedure can be made absolutely safe and
effective, and still time-efficient and affordable.
No engineering design can absolutely guarantee
against misuse or potential flaws.
Confronting Moral Decisions
•Recognize moral issues.
•Gather the facts.
•Rank moral considerations.
•Consider alternatives.
•Talk with others for a sense of perspective.
•Weigh all factors in light of the facts.
Ethics at UH
Academic Honesty Policy
- Student Handbook, 2000-2001, pp. 8 - 11
The Engineer’s Creed
Whistle-blowing
Whistle-blowing: To convey information
outside approved organizational channels to
bring attention to a problem within the
organization.
Whistle-Blowing:
Considerations
Evidence of potential harm to public is necessary.
Documentation
Consultation with colleagues
Moral obligations based on
...responsibility to society
...responsibility to one’s employer
Whistle-Blowing:
Considerations
Personal Liability
-”…most whistleblowers have suffered
unhappy, even tragic fates.”
-”…generally it holds little promise as the best
possible method for remedying problems, and
should be viewed as a last resort.”
-Martin and Schinzinger, Ethics in
Engineering
Homework on Videotape:
Gilbane Gold
A summary of the videotape is available to you on the web and
the LAN.
The web address is:
http://www.egr.uh.edu/courses/Ece1100/Engineering_Ethics_files/Gilbane.h
tm
There is also a copy of the complete script for the videotape. It
is available as a Adobe Acrobat file (pdf file) on the web and
LAN, in the same directory. This file is copyrighted, but we
have received permission to let you view it.
Coming Up...
• Circuit
Analysis
Fundamentals!