Ethics
Who is bound by a professional society code?
members of the society
Respect for persons model
moral agency of individuals
(ASCE Code) 1st Fundamental Principle
using their knowledge and skill for the enhancement of human welfare and the environment;
Organization Test
what does my organization ethics officer or legal council would say about ethics.
Systematic group process
- Define the ethical dilemma - Exhaustive list of options created by the group - Drop options that are considered by the group to be unacceptable - Provisional/ethically responsible options - Drop options that one or more individuals are opposed to - Viable options - Make decisions (could be contentious) - Select options
Clarifying concepts - (not always agreed upon) *Key Terms for Engineering*
- Public health, safety and welfare. - Conflict of interest - Bribery - Extortion - Confidentiality - Trade secrets - Loyalty
Two common models of morality
- The utilitarian model - the respect for person model
ASCE Fundamental Principle
1. Using their knowledge and skill for the enhancement of human welfare and the environment; 2. being honest and impartial and serving with fidelity the public, their employers and clients; 3. striving to increase the competence and prestige of the engineering term of profession; and 4. supporting the professional and technical societies of their disciplines.
Examples of Ethical Violations
1. Practice Engineering when not qualified 2. Revealing facts or data without consent of client 3. Expressing an opinion publicly without having facts. 4. Soliciting/Accepting gratuities without client's approval 5 Failing to disclose a conflict of interest 6. "plan stamping" 7. Failure to use due care - negligence
ASCE Code of ethics focuses on three constituents (at least one)
1. Public 2. Client & Employer 3. Licensed civil engineers
Where are most engineers on the ethical & legal grid? (1. ethical & legal, 2. unethical & legal, 3. unethical & illegal, 4. ethical & illegal)
1. ethical & legal
Determining the facts
1. often, moral disagreements turn out to be disagreements over the relevant facts. 2. Factual issues sometimes very difficult to resolve 3. Sometimes we must decide important moral issues in light of irresolvable factual uncertainty.
What are traits that may define the professional character of a good or ideal engineer?
1. professional pride - technical expertise 2. social awareness & concern for the larger social environment 3. environmental conscientiousness
Honesty (According to lecture)
1.) 3rd canon of code of ethics - IEEE - "to be honest and realistic in stating claims or estimates" 2.) ASME (American Society of Mechanical Engineers) - "being honest & impartial" 3.) NSPE - "to participate in none but honest enterprise" 4.) Chapter 5 introduction, "engineers should be objective and truthful"
Line Drawing
1.) For each feature, we can place an "X" on the continuum between the 2 paradigms which will indicated whether a feature of the test case is closer to the paradigm bribe or the paradigm non-bribe. 2.) It is useful to circle a few of the "X" to us indicate which ones have special importance in evaluating this test case.
How are risk managed?
1.)Design codes rules for design (ex. lane widths, speed of vehicles, clear zones, redundancy) 2.)Careful design & continuous review (Ex. quality assurance/control)
Definition of Ethics
1929 - Science of Duty and Morality 1953 - Science of ideal human character 2007 - principle of conduct governing an individual or group Dictionary.com - 1. Assessment moral principal 2. Rules of conduct recognized in respect to a group or class (Engineer ethics) 3. Moral principles
How many Fundament Canons does the NSPE have?
6
How many Fundamental Canons does the ASCE have?
8
Engineer's Creed
As a Professional Engineer, I dedicate my professional knowledge and skill to the advancement and betterment of human welfare. I pledge: • To give the utmost of performance • To participate in none but honest enterprise • To live and work according to the laws of man and the highest standards of professional conduct • To place service before profit, the honor and standing of the profession before personal advantage, and the public welfare above all other considerations In humility and with need for Divine Guidance, I make this pledge.
Defensibility Test
Can you defend your choice without appearing self-serving.
Paradigms
Clear cut example
Which of the following, in addition to lying, was discussed in the text in chapter 2 and in the video lecture?
Deliberate deception Withholding information Failure to seek out the truth
Lying (3 types of elements)
Deliberate deception withholding information failure to seek out the truth
Harm Test
Does this option do less harm than the alternatives
Why study ethics?
EARN AND MAINTAIN TRUST
(ASCE Code) 8th Fundamental Canon
Engineer shall, in all matters related to their profession, treat all persons fairly and encourage equitable participation without regard to gender or gender identity, race , national origin, ethnicity, religion, age, sexual orientation, disability, political affiliation, or family, marital, or economic status.
NSPE Professional Obligations (8)
Engineers shall accept personal responsibility for their professional activities, provided, however, that engineers may seek indemnification for services arising out of their practice for other than gross negligence, where the engineer's interests cannot otherwise be protected.
NSPE Rules of Practice (4)
Engineers shall act for each employer or client as faithful agents or trustees.
(ASCE Code) 4 Fundamental Canon
Engineers shall act in professional matters for each employer or client as faithful agents or trustees, and shall avoid conflicts of interest.
(ASCE Code) 6th Fundamental Canon
Engineers shall act in such a manner as to uphold and enhance the honor, integrity, and dignity of the engineering profession and shall act with zero-tolerance for bribery, fraud, and corruption.
NSPE Professional Obligations (2)
Engineers shall at all times strive to serve the public interest.
NSPE Professional Obligations (3)
Engineers shall avoid all conduct or practice the deceives the public
NSPE Rules of Practice (5)
Engineers shall avoid deceptive acts.
NSPE Professional Obligations (1)
Engineers shall be guided in all their relations by the highest standards of honesty and integrity.
(ASCE Code) 5th Fundamental Canon
Engineers shall build their professional reputation on the merit of their services and shall not compete unfairly with others.
(ASCE Code) 7th Fundamental Canon
Engineers shall engineers continue their professional development throughout their careers, and shall provide opportunities for the professional development of those engineers under their supervision.
NSPE Professional Obligations (9)
Engineers shall give credit for engineering work to those to whom credit is due, and will recognize the proprietary interests of others.
(ASCE Code) 1st Fundamental Canon
Engineers shall hold PARAMOUNT the safety, health and welfare of the public and shall strive to comply with the principles of sustainable development in the performance of their professional duties.
NSPE Rules of Practice (1)
Engineers shall hold paramount the safety, health, and welfare of the public.
(ASCE Code) 3rd Fundamental Canon
Engineers shall issue public statements only in an objective and truthful manner.
NSPE Rules of Practice (3)
Engineers shall issue public statements only in an objective and truthful manner.
NSPE Professional Obligations (7)
Engineers shall not attempt to injure, maliciously or falsely, directly or indirectly, the professional reputation, prospects, practice, or employment of other engineers. Engineers who believe others are guilty of unethical or illegal practice shall present such information to the proper authority for action.
NSPE Professional Obligations (6)
Engineers shall not attempt to obtain employment or advancement or professional engagement by untruthfully criticizing other engineers, or by other improper or questionable methods.
NSPE Professional Obligations (5)
Engineers shall not be influenced in their professional duties by conflicting interests.
NSPE Professional Obligations (4)
Engineers shall not disclose, without consent, confidential information concerning the business affairs or technical processes of any present or former client or employer, or public body on which they serve.
(ASCE Code) 2nd Fundamental Canon
Engineers shall perform services only in areas of their competence.
NSPE Rules of Practice (2)
Engineers shall perform services only in the areas of their competence.
Which of the following is not true regarding Chapter 471, FS?
Establishes continuing education requirements.
Which of the following is not one of the Fundamental Principles of the ASCE code of ethics.
Holding paramount the safety, health, and welfare of the public.
Virtual Tool Kits (Test)
Harm Test Publicity Test Defensibility Test Reversibility Test Colleague Test Organization Test Virtue Test
Trust and Reliability (categories)
Honesty & Dishonesty Confidentiality Intellectual Property Expert witnessing Informing the public Conflict of interest
Plan Stamping
Inappropriate use of a stamp by an individual not in responsible control of the preparation of documents
Trade secrets, patents, trademarks, and copyrights are examples of
Intellectual property
How do we decided moral issues?
Line Drawing
Utilitarian Model
Maximize human wellbeing (one ought to promote the greatest amount of good for the greatest amount of people.)
Are all engineers ethical?
No
is it possible to have 0% risk (100% safe)?
No it is not possible for 0% risk
two biggest violations the ethic board sees?
Plan stamping Failure to use due care - negligence
Which of the following are traits of an engineer who practices aspirational ethics?
Professional Pride. Social awareness and Concern for the ways in which technology affects our social environment. Environmental Conscientiousness.
Which of the following statements is false regarding engineering design?
Risk is decreased by innovation.
Which of the following is true regarding risk?
Risk is the product of the likelihood of an event and the magnitude of the resulting harm. Engineers need to keep in mind that a relatively slight harm that is highly likely might pose a greater risk than a more serious harm that is far less likely. Engineers must exercise caution when comparing or adding risks.
(ASCE Code) 3rd Fundamental Principle
Striving to increase the competence and prestige of the engineering profession,
(ASCE Code) 4th Fundamental Principle
Supporting the professional and technical societies of their disciplines.
Which of the following statements are false regarding confidentiality?
The limits of confidentiality are never controversial.
The two most widely discussed models of common morality are the
Utilitarian and Respect for Person model.
Colleague Test
What would your governing board (ethics committee) think? is it favorable, would you be punished?
Reversibility Test can be best described by which of the following questions?
Would I still think this choice of option was good if it was to me instead of others, especially if some of the effects are adverse?
Reversibility Test
Would I still think this choice of option was good.
Application Issues
a claim about whether a given term or expression applies to a person, an individual action or general practice.
(ASCE Code) 2nd Fundamental Principle
being honest and impartial and serving with fidelity the public, their employers and clients;
Limitations of Codes
can't anticipate all ethical dilemmas don't provide competing demands limited power
Virtue Test
how would I feel about my actions/decisions? would I be able to live with the decisions?
Most common conflict face by engineers is?
is one which an engineer's obligation to his employee seems to with their obligation to the public
Risk
product of the likely hood (probability) of an event and the magnitude of that resulting harm
Publicity Test
which option would you want to publish. (Do you want the results published)
