An Introduction to Engineering Ethics
for
Mechanical,
Industrial, and Manufacturing
Engineers
Part 2
Engineering Ethics: Overview
● Engineering Ethics Cases ● Basic Terms and Concepts of Engineering Ethics ● Some Ethical Principles ● Ethical Dilemmas ● Codes of Engineering Ethics ● Confronting Ethical Dilemmas ● InClass Exercise ● Ethical Dilemma Assignment ● Other Ethical Issues In Engineering Some Parting Philosophical QuestionsConfronting Ethical Dilemmas
1. Summarize the apparent dilemma. 2. Gather the relevant facts, including technical ones. 3. Identify the ethical principles or applications in conflict. 4. Rank or weight the ethical principles by importance. 5. Identify/develop alternative courses of action. 6. Evaluate the alternative courses of action with respect to the principles. 7. Talk with others. 8. Choose the best course of action.InClass Exercise: Confronting An Ethical Dilemma
1. Summarize the apparent dilemma, e.g., from the MIME Ethical Dilemmas list on the Capstone website: Tough assignment Bill, an engineering student, is struggling to pass a course and now the instructor has made a difficult, timeconsuming assignment. Bill’s grade in the course and, in fact, his success in completing his degree, depend on doing well on this assignment. The instructor expects the students to work independently, but Bill is aware that many of his classmates are working in small groups, dividing up portions of the assignment among themselves, and sharing answers. Bill doesn't think he can complete the assignment correctly on time by himself.InClass Exercise: Confronting An Ethical Dilemma
2. Gather the relevant facts, including technical ones. e.g., ● Bill has a low C in the course, so far. ● If he does poorly on this assignment, he will likely get a C or worse in the course. ● Prior to this, Bill has done all his own work in this course. ● But in other courses, he has a regular study group. ● His study group is pressuring him to share in this work. ● The instructor has explicitly stated that she expects the students to work individually on the assignment. ● The syllabus has a statement of academic honesty, including the prohibition of turning in another's work as one's own. ● Bill knows that many (though not all) other students in the course are working on the assignment in groups. ● etc.InClass Exercise: Confronting An Ethical Dilemma
Summary of Some Ethical Principles
● pleasure ● happiness ● selfrealization, self actualization ● the greatest good for the greatest number ● nature ● human welfare ● communion with God ● Do not kill. ● Do not steal. ● Tell the truth. ● “To thine own self be true.” ● “In duty believe, not in the hope for results …” ● “Act as if the maxim from which you act were to become the universal law of nature.” ● “Do to others as you would have them do to you.” ● Wisdom ● Courage ● Selfcontrol, Temperance, Prudence ● Justice, fairness ● Faith ● Hope ● Love ● Honesty, Truthfulness ● Trustworthiness ● Loyalty ● ToleranceInClass Exercise: Confronting An Ethical Dilemma
3. Identify the ethical principles or applications in conflict. e.g., ● human welfare (especially that of Bill and his group) ● loyalty (e.g., to the group) ● honesty, truth ● respect for elders, respect for authority ● justice ● courage ● Do not steal. ● Do to others as you would have them do to you. ● “Engineers shall build their professional reputation on the merit of their services and shall not compete unfairly with others.”InClass Exercise: Confronting An Ethical Dilemma
4. Rank or weight the ethical principles by importance. e.g., (1) Do to others as you would have them do to you. (2) justice (3) “Engineers shall build their professional reputation on the merit of their services and shall not compete unfairly with others.” (4) honesty, truth (5) Do not steal. (6) respect for elders, respect for authority (7) human welfare (especially that of Bill and his group) (8) loyalty (9) courageInClass Exercise: Confronting An Ethical Dilemma
5. Identify/develop alternative courses of action. e.g., (a)Work with the group, do part of the assignment, and turn in the whole assignment under Bill's name. (b)Work with the group, do part of the assignment, and turn in the whole assignment, but indicate which parts Bill did and which others did (but don't identify them by name). (c)Do as much of the assignment as possible and turn that in under Bill's name.InClass Exercise: Confronting An Ethical Dilemma
6. Evaluate the alternative courses of action with respect to the principles. e.g., Alternative (a) Work with the group, do part of the assignment, and turn in the whole assignment under Bill's name. Considered with respect to the principle (1) Do to others as you would have them do to you. If Bill tried to do the whole assignment himself (like some are doing), he would not want to be penalized for doing poorly when other students who only do part of the assignment and turn inInClass Exercise: Confronting An Ethical Dilemma
7. Talk with others. e.g., ● friends in the class ● friends not in the class ● other professors ● academic advisor ● parents, other relatives ● pastor, priest, rabbi, ...InClass Exercise: Confronting An Ethical Dilemma
8. Choose the best course of action. e.g.,
(c) Do as much of the assignment as possible and turn that in under Bill's name.
