Engineering Ethics Moral and Sociological Foundations of Professional Ethics HUMANITIES AND ENGINEERING GEN N0012 Engineering 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 Cases3 Professional Responsibility & Trust Professionals have special knowledge and skills that directly influence human well-being, and that brings with it special responsibilities that others may not have. Because of their influence on human well-being, it is necessary that professionals gain public trust. Trust is gained and maintained not only by being competent, but by having moral standards. 4 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 judgments5 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. Ethics is the study of morality.6 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?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 dilemma8 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.9 Ethics and Practicing Engineering Family Global Environment Clients or Consumers Engineering Profession Law, Government & Public Industry & Other Firms Engineering Firm Engineer Manager Colleagues10 Controlling Technology in the Face of Uncertainty Engineers influence Human well-being through Technology To what extent technology can be directed and controlled? Who should do so, and how should such control be done? 11 Technology has obviously brought great benefits to humanity. But it has also brought problems! There are unforeseen problems that arise in large scale projects or Unforeseen social problems that result from technological growth Technology cannot be totally controlled or directed. 12 Professional Responsibilities of the Individual Engineer (1) 1. Background Skills Faced with ethical situations concerning: safety, workplace issues, intellectual property, Engineers must answer two main questions: 1. What should be done? 2. How should these concerns be raised to supervisors? 13 Professional Responsibilities of the Individual Engineer (2) 1. Background Skills 2. Responsibility for Safety Engineers are personally responsible for the safety of those affected by the projects they create. But concerns for safety contradict with other concerns, such as the client's concerns for economic prosperity. 14 Professional Responsibilities of the Individual Engineer (3) 1. Background Skills 2. Responsibility for Safety 3. Credit and Intellectual Property Economy has made the connection between ownership of ideas and profit incredibly strong. Thus, questions about who owns & can use intellectual ideas are very important for engineers. 15 Professional Responsibilities of the Individual Engineer (4) 1. Background Skills 2. Responsibility for Safety 3. Credit and Intellectual Property 4. Issues in Workplace In addition to issues specifically associated with the practice of engineering there are general issues that can arise in any workplace Harassment, Prejudice, Privacy Discrimination16 Responsibility for Societal and Environmental Consequences (1) 1. Environmental Consequences Engineers play a central role in the decision-making process about things like “HOW TO USE RESOURCES” “There is flexibility on what directions technology can take and the choices among alternative paths are often significant." 17 Responsibility for Societal and Environmental Consequences (2) 1. Environmental Consequences 2. Societal Consequences Decisions about what direction technology takes have incredible social impacts. Job displacement and Loss of privacy are two examples of societal consequences of technology. 18 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.19 Code of Ethics Principles Engineers uphold and advance the integrity, honor and dignity of the engineering profession by responding to: environment : using their knowledge & skill for the enhancement of human welfare and the environment clients : being honest and serving with integrity the public, their employers and clients profession striving to increase the competence and prestige of the engineering profession technical societies supporting professional & technical societies of their disciplines 20 The 7 Fundamental Cannons 1. Engineers shall hold safety, health, and welfare of the public and shall comply with principles of sustainable development in performance of their duties. 2. Engineers shall perform services only in areas of their competence. 3. Engineers shall issue public statements only in an objective and truthful manner. 4. Engineers shall act in professional matters for each client as faithful agents, and shall avoid conflicts of interest. 21 The 7 Fundamental Cannons 5. Engineers shall build their professional reputation on the merit of their services and shall not compete unfairly with others. 6. Engineers shall act in such a manner to enhance the honor of the profession. 7. Engineers shall continue their professional development throughout their careers, and shall provide opportunities for the development of those engineers under their supervision. 22 The 7 Fundamental Cannons 1. Public Safety is the main concern 2. Give Advice in Areas of Competence 3. Be Objective and Truthful 4. Avoid conflicts of Interest 5. Compete Fairly 6. Protect Dignity of Engineering Profession 7. Promote Professional Development23 Cannon 1 protect the safety, health and welfare of the public comply with principles of sustainable development Protect welfare of general public Engineers shall recognize that the lives, safety, health and welfare of general public are dependent upon engineering judgments, decisions incorporated into structures, machines, products, processes and devices. approve design documents based on engineering standards Engineers shall approve design documents, reviewed or prepared by them, which are safe for public health and welfare in conformity with engineering standards. Inform clients of possible consequences Engineers whose professional judgment is overruled under circumstances where the safety, health of the public are endangered, shall inform clients or employers of the possible consequences. present information of violation to the proper authority in writing Engineers who have knowledge or reason to believe that another person or firm may be in violation shall present such information to the proper authority in writing and cooperate with authority in furnishing such information if required. Provide Constructive service in civic affairs Engineers should seek opportunities to be of service in civic affairs and work for the advancement of safety, and well-being of communities. Sustainable development Engineers should be committed to improving the environment by adherence to the principles of sustainable development .24 Cannon 2 Engineers shall perform services only in areas of their competence. qualification by education or experience Engineers shall undertake to perform engineering assignments only when qualified by education or experience in the technical field of engineering involved. Participate in phases of the project in which they are qualified Engineers may accept an assignment requiring education or experience outside of their own fields of competence, provided their services are restricted to those phases of the project in which they are qualified. All other phases of such project shall be performed by qualified associates, consultants, or employees. Review documents before signature and seal Engineers shall not affix their signatures or seals to any engineering plan or document dealing with subject matter in which they lack competence by virtue of education or experience or to any such plan or document not reviewed or prepared under their supervisory control. 25 Cannon 3 Engineers shall issue public statements only in an objective and truthful manner. Avoid unfair and exaggerated statements Engineers should endeavor to extend the public knowledge of engineering and sustainable development, and shall not participate in the dissemination of untrue, unfair or exaggerated statements regarding engineering. Be truthful in reporting and documenting statements Engineers shall be objective and truthful in professional reports, statements, or testimony. They shall include all relevant and pertinent information in such reports, statements, or testimony. Provide founded engineering opinion Engineers, serving as experts witnesses, shall express an engineering opinion only when it is founded upon adequate knowledge of the facts, upon a background of technical competence, and upon honest conviction. Unbiased opinions Engineers shall not issue statements, criticisms, on engineering matters which are inspired or paid for by interested parties, unless they indicate on whose behalf the statements are made. Respect integrity of profession Engineers shall be dignified and modest in explaining their work and merit, and will avoid any act tending to promote their own interests at the expense of the integrity of the profession. 26 Cannon 4 act in professional matters for each employer or client as faithful agents or trustees, and shall avoid conflicts of interest Avoid Conflict of Interest Engineers shall avoid potential conflicts of interest with employers or clients and inform their employers or clients of any business association, interests, which influence their judgment or the quality of their services. Paid only once from the same service Engineers shall not accept compensation from more than one party for services on the same project, unless the circumstances are fully disclosed and agreed to, by all interested parties. Refuse gratuities from contractors Engineers shall not accept gratuities, directly or indirectly, from contractors, their agents, or other parties dealing with their clients or employers in connection with work for which they are responsible. public service engineers do not provide private services Engineers in public service as employees of a government shall not participate in actions with respect to services provided by them in private or public engineering practice. 27 Cannon 4 act in professional matters for each employer or client as faithful agents or trustees, and shall avoid conflicts of interest Give honest advice to clients Engineers shall advise their employers or clients when, they believe a project will not be successful. Protect confidential information Engineers shall not use confidential information coming to them from assignments as a means of personal profit if such action is adverse to the interests of their clients, employers or the public. Inform employers in case on another job commitment Engineers shall not accept professional employment outside of their regular work or interest without the knowledge of their employers. 28 Cannon 5 Engineers shall build their professional reputation on the merit of services and shall not compete unfairly with others. Engineers should negotiate contracts for professional services on the basis of demonstrated competence. Engineers may request professional commissions on a contingent basis only under circumstances in which their professional judgments would not be compromised. Engineers shall not falsify or permit misrepresentation of their academic or professional qualifications or experience. Engineers shall give proper credit for engineering work to those to whom credit is due, and shall recognize the interests of others. they shall name the person responsible for designs, inventions, writings etc 29 Cannon 5 Engineers shall build their professional reputation on the merit of services and shall not compete unfairly with others. Engineers may advertise professional services in a way that does not contain misleading language or is in any other manner derogatory to the dignity of the profession. Engineers shall not maliciously injure the professional reputation, prospects, practice or employment of another engineer Engineers shall not use equipment, supplies, laboratory and/or office facilities of their employers to carry on outside private practice without the consent of their employers. 30 Cannon 6 Engineers shall act in such a manner as to uphold & enhance the honor, integrity, and dignity of the engineering profession. Engineers shall not knowingly act in a manner which will be derogatory to the honor, integrity, or dignity of the engineering profession or knowingly engage in business or professional practices of a fraudulent, dishonest or unethical nature. 31 Cannon 7 Engineers shall continue their professional development throughout their careers, and shall provide opportunities for the professional development of those engineers under their supervision. Engineers should keep current in their specialty fields by engaging in professional practice, participating in continuing education courses, reading in the technical literature, and attending professional meetings and seminars. Engineers should encourage their engineering employees to become registered at the earliest possible date. Engineers should encourage engineering employees to attend and present papers at professional and technical society meetings. Engineers shall uphold the principle of mutually satisfying relationships between employers and employees with respect to terms of employment including professional grade descriptions, salary ranges, and fringe benefits. Case Study Responsibility for Public Safety and the Obligation of Client Confidentiality33 Facts Tenants of a building sue owner to force him to repair many defects in building which affect quality of use. Owner's attorney hires Engineer A to inspect building and give expert testimony in support of the owner. Engineer A discovers serious structural defects in building which constitute an immediate threat to the safety of tenants. The tenant’s suit has not mentioned these safety related defects. Upon reporting the findings to the attorney, Engineer A is told he must maintain this information as confidential as it is part of a lawsuit. Engineer A complies with the request of the attorney.34 Question: Was it ethical for engineer A to conceal his knowledge of the safetyrellate defects in view of the fact that it was an attorney who told him he was legally bound to maintain confidentiality?35 Discussion: 1. The obligation of the engineer to protect the public health and safety is acknowledged by the Code of Ethics. 2. The ethical obligation of engineers in protecting the public health and safety conflict with the ethical obligation of engineers to maintain the right of confidentiality to a client. 3. This conflict is a natural tension which exists within the Code. 4. We think that there were reasonable alternatives available to Engineer A which could assist him in averting an ethical conflict. 36 Discussion: 1. Engineer A, having become aware of the imminent danger to the structure, 2. Engineer A had an obligation to make certain that the tenants and public authorities were aware of the dangers that existed. 3. We believe that in cases where the public health and safety is endangered, engineers not only have the right but also the ethical responsibility to reveal such facts to the proper authorities. It was unethical for Engineer A not to report the information directly to the tenants and public authorities.Thank you for attention