Engineering Ethics in line with Engineering Human Value
- 1. ETHICS AND PROFESSIONALISM Aglipa, Kelly Secusana, Harrlaine Caballero, Queenly Grace Reporters:
- 2. Scope of Engineering Ethics 1.1 • Ethics is central to engineering because engineers create solutions that impact society. • Engineering is not just about technical skills; it involves moral decisions that affect safety, the environment, and human well- being. • Ethics in engineering addresses responsibilities, dilemmas, and decision-making frameworks to ensure engineers act in the best interest of the public. • Technology has profound effects on society. Engineers shape advancements in transportation, health, energy, and safety. Ethical failures, like the Boeing 737 Max crashes (2018, 2019), show the consequences of neglecting ethical responsibility. • Ethical dilemmas are common. Engineers must balance profit, safety, and sustainability. Example: Should a company cut costs on safety measures to increase profits? • Professional responsibility. Engineers must uphold ethical standards to protect people, the environment, and their profession's integrity.
- 3. Scope of Engineering Ethics 1.1 1. Engineering as Social Experimentation Engineering projects involve risks and uncertainties, requiring ethical responsibility. 2. Ethics and Excellence Ethics is not separate from engineering—it is part of design, decision-making, and responsibility. 3. Personal Commitment and Meaning Engineers find fulfillment in solving ethical challenges and improving lives. 4. Preventing Wrongdoing Ethics is not just about punishing violations, but promoting ethical behavior from the start. 5. Ethical Dilemmas Engineers often face conflicting values, requiring critical thinking.. 6. Micro vs. Macro Issues Ethics involves individual responsibility (micro) and broader societal impact (macro). 7. Cautious Optimism About Technology Engineers must balance innovation with risk management and ethical foresight. 7 Key Themes of Engineering Ethics
- 4. Introduction to Responsibility in Engineering Accepting and Sharing Responsibility in Engineering 1.2 Engineers design and build the world around us—their decisions have real consequences. Ethical responsibility means ensuring safety, quality, and integrity in engineering projects. Quote by Herbert Hoover (Former U.S. President & Engineer): “The engineer simply cannot deny that he did it. If his works do not work, he is damned.” Engineers must accept accountability for their work, especially when public safety is at risk. The Case of Citicorp Tower – A Lesson in Responsibility Bill LeMessurier (Structural Engineer) designed the Citicorp Tower in NYC. After completion, he discovered a structural flaw that could cause collapse in high winds. Instead of hiding the issue, he took action to fix the design flaw, preventing disaster.
- 5. What Does "Responsibility" Mean in Engineering? Engineers have multiple layers of responsibility: Moral Responsibility Duty to act ethically and ensure public safety. Legal Responsibility Must follow laws and regulations (e.g., building codes). Causal Responsibility Engineering decisions directly affect real-world outcomes. Professional Responsibility Upholding professional ethics beyond job descriptions. Accountability Engineers must be answerable for their actions and decisions.
- 6. Obligation vs. Accountability in Engineering Obligations = Moral Duties Example: Engineers must design safe buildings and warn about defects. Engineers should not ignore ethical concerns even under corporate pressure. Accountability = Being Answerable Engineers must explain and justify their decisions. Example: A software engineer is accountable if an AI program makes biased decisions. Conscientious Engineers vs. Negligent Engineers A conscientious engineer: • Acts with integrity, even when it’s difficult. • Takes responsibility for both successes and failures. • Speaks up when they see ethical violations. A negligent engineer: • Ignores potential risks and flaws. • Fails to report dangerous issues. • Prioritizes profits over public safety.
- 7. The Consequences of Negligence Negligence in engineering can cause disasters. Example: The Hyatt Regency Walkway Collapse (1981) Engineers changed a key structural design but did not test it properly. The walkway collapsed, killing 114 people. Lesson: Small engineering misjudgments can have catastrophic effects. Ethical Decision-Making – The Right Way to Handle Responsibility 1. Recognize the issue. 2. Analyze potential risks and solutions. 3. Consult ethical codes (e.g., NSPE, IEEE). 4. Take corrective action. 5. Accept accountability for decisions. Engineers' Role in Shared Responsibility Engineering projects involve multiple people—responsibility must be shared. Engineers must: • Ensure quality control at every stage. • Communicate risks and issues to all stakeholders. • Maintain transparency in reporting failures.
- 8. Responsible Professionals and Ethical Corporations 1.3 Introduction – Why Responsibility Matters in Engineering Engineers work in corporations, organizations, and teams—their actions affect public safety and corporate integrity. Ethics is not just about personal responsibility—it also applies to companies and institutions. Question: • What happens when a company prioritizes profit over ethics? • How should engineers act when corporate interests conflict with ethical duties? What Makes a Professional Engineer? A professional engineer is more than a technical expert—they have a duty to: • Follow ethical standards (e.g., NSPE, IEEE, ASCE). • Prioritize public safety and welfare. • Be honest, fair, and competent. • Take accountability for their work. • Speak up against unethical practices.
- 9. What Defines an Ethical Corporation? An ethical corporation: • Follows laws and regulations (e.g., environmental laws, labor laws). • Prioritizes safety over profit. • Promotes an ethical workplace culture. • Encourages transparency and honesty. • Takes responsibility for its actions and products. Case Study – Enron Scandal (Corporate Ethics Failure) What happened? Enron manipulated financial statements to hide debt and inflate profits. Employees who spoke out were ignored or fired. When the fraud was exposed, the company collapsed, and thousands lost jobs. ⚠ Lessons Learned: ✅ Corporate leaders must create ethical environments. ✅ Engineers must report unethical practices even when under pressure. ✅ Whistleblower protections are crucial.
- 10. Case Study – The Boeing 737 Max Crisis What happened? Boeing rushed production of the 737 Max to compete with Airbus. Ignored engineering safety concerns about the MCAS system. Two plane crashes (2018 & 2019) killed 346 people. ⚠ Lessons Learned: ✅ Corporate ethics should prioritize safety, not competition. ✅ Engineers must raise concerns about flawed designs. ✅ Regulations and testing must be followed rigorously. How Engineers Can Promote Corporate Ethics Engineers play a crucial role in ensuring corporate ethics. 1. Follow Codes of Ethics – Adhere to professional ethical guidelines. 2. Speak Up – Report unethical decisions or unsafe practices. 3. Lead by Example – Promote integrity and accountability in teams. 4. Prioritize Safety Over Pressure – Don’t allow corporate deadlines to compromise ethics. 5. Support Ethical Policies – Advocate for fair and transparent company policies.
- 11. Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in Engineering What is CSR? • CSR means corporations voluntarily contribute to social well-being beyond legal requirements. • Ethical corporations care about sustainability, fair labor, and environmental responsibility. Examples of CSR in Engineering: • Tesla’s investment in sustainable energy. • Google’s commitment to carbon neutrality. • Intel’s ethical sourcing of materials. Corporate Responsibility vs. Individual Responsibility (Types of Responsibility) Corporate Responsibility Who is Responsible? The company as a whole Example: Following ethical policies, ensuring product safety Individual Responsibility Who is Responsible? Engineers & employees Example: Speaking up against unsafe practices, ensuring ethical work
- 12. Why Ethical Leadership Matters? • Ethical leaders create ethical organizations. • Good leadership promotes trust, innovation, and integrity in engineering. Traits of Ethical Leaders in Engineering: • Act with honesty and transparency. • Make ethical decisions under pressure. • Listen to engineers’ concerns about safety. • Encourage open discussions on corporate ethics. • Promote long-term responsibility over short-term profit.