Interaction Rules Settling Conflicts Moral Theories The Ethical Engineer Resource Allocation
Engineering Skills, Philadelphia University Dr. Tarek A. Tutunji Engineering Ethics Engineering ethics are the set of behavior standards that all engineers are expected to follow.
Engineering is a profession. Engineers are highly educated.
Engineers are hired by clients (or employers) for their. specialized expertise.
Engineers have ethical obligation since others depend on their technical advice.
Engineering Skills, Philadelphia University Dr. Tarek A. Tutunji Interaction Rules Interaction rules outline the expected sets of behavior between engineers, other individuals, and society as a whole. These interactions go both ways Engineers have obligations to society To be honest, unbiased, hardworking, and careful. Society has obligations to the engineers Pay for work performed. Protect intellectual property. Interaction rules can be classified as Etiquette Law Morals Ethics
Engineering Skills, Philadelphia University Dr. Tarek A. Tutunji Etiquette Etiquette consists of codes of behavior and courtesy.
These codes include: Showing respect to employers and clients. Not embarrassing colleagues. Answering the phone professionally. Dressing appropriately.
Engineering Skills, Philadelphia University Dr. Tarek A. Tutunji Law Law is a system of rules established by authority, society, or custom.
Violations of such rules carry penalties such as imprisonment or fines.
Each society has its own set of rules.
Legal rights are “just claims” given to all humans within a government’s jurisdiction.
Engineering Skills, Philadelphia University Dr. Tarek A. Tutunji Morals Morals are accepted standards of right and wrong that are usually applied to personal behavior.
Moral standards are derived from religion, parents, friends, and media.
There is agreement on many standard moral standards among different societies, such as murder and stealing.
Other moral standards are not universal, such as gambling and alcohol drinking.
Moral rights are “just claims” that belong to all humans.
Engineering Skills, Philadelphia University Dr. Tarek A. Tutunji Ethics Ethics consist of general and abstract concepts of right and wrong behavior as described by professional societies.
Engineering Skills, Philadelphia University Dr. Tarek A. Tutunji Comparison of Interaction Rules A complex web of interactions rules govern our behavior.
In some cases all the interaction rules agree. Murder is illegal, immoral, unethical, and bad etiquette.
However, there are cases when there is a conflict between the interaction rules. The legal system has not considered a situation. Encoding some moral standards into law would be unenforceable. Laws must be impartial and treat everyone the same. Laws must govern observable behavior. Laws must be enacted by immoral regimes.
Engineering Skills, Philadelphia University Dr. Tarek A. Tutunji Settling Conflicts To settle a conflict, it is necessary to know its source.
1. Moral issues The issue can be resolved by making a moral decision. 2. Conceptual issues. Morality is agreed upon, but uncertainty about how it should be codified into a law. 3. Application issues It is unclear if a particular act violates a law or rule. 4. Factual issues. There is uncertainty about morally relevant facts.
Engineering Skills, Philadelphia University Dr. Tarek A. Tutunji Moral Theories Moral theories provide a framework for making moral and ethical decision.
Sometimes these theories lead to different answers, but often they agree.
Four moral theories 1. Ethical Egoism 2. Utilitarianism 3. Rights analysis 4. Making moral decisions when theories diverge
Engineering Skills, Philadelphia University Dr. Tarek A. Tutunji Ethical Egoism Ethical egoism states that an act is moral provided you acted in your enlightened self-interest.
It does not mean that an individual should be selfish.
In cases where many people are involved, we must consider broader moral theories.
Engineering Skills, Philadelphia University Dr. Tarek A. Tutunji Utilitarianism Utilitarianism states that moral activities are those that create the most good for the most people. This theory attempts to optimize the “happiness objective function”.
To perform utilitarianism analysis Determine target audience Determine harms, benefits, and importance for each action Evaluate the happiness objective function Select the action that maximizes the function
Utilitarianism can benefit society as a whole at the expense of the individual. Engineering Skills, Philadelphia University Dr. Tarek A. Tutunji Rights Analysis Right analysis states that moral actions are those that equally respect each human being. Golden rule: treat others as you would like to be treated.
Hierarchy of importance Right to life and health Right to maintain one’s level of purposeful fulfillment Right to increase one’s level of purposeful fulfillment
To perform rights analysis Determine target audience Evaluate the rights according to the above list Choose the action that imposes the least serious rights’ damage
Engineering Skills, Philadelphia University Dr. Tarek A. Tutunji Making Moral Decisions when Theories Diverge Moral decision is made easy when moral theories agree (converge), but what about when they disagree (diverge)?
Striking a balance between Utilitarianism and right analysis.
A reasonable approach to making moral decisions when moral theories diverge is to use utilitarianism unless an individual’s rights are seriously violated.
Engineering Skills, Philadelphia University Dr. Tarek A. Tutunji The Ethical Engineer Guidelines 1. Protect the public safety, health, and welfare. 2. Perform duties only in areas of competence. 3. Be truthful and objective. 4. Behave in an honorable and dignified manner. 5. Continue learning to sharpen your skills. 6. Provide honest hard work to employers and clients. 7. Inform the proper authorities of harmful or illegal activies. 8. Be involved with civic and community affairs. 9. Protect the environment. 10. Do not accept bribes (or gifts that would interfere with judgment) 11. Protect confidential information of employer or client. 12. Avoid conflict of interest.
Engineering Skills, Philadelphia University Dr. Tarek A. Tutunji Resource Allocation Risk versus Cost Analysis
There are primary and secondary costs associated with a product
Primary cost include direct manufacturing and development expenses
Secondary cost include manufacturing downtime and customer goodwill
Engineering Skills, Philadelphia University Dr. Tarek A. Tutunji Resource Allocation How to allocate the proper resources to protect human life?
What is the value of human life?
Examples Chemical Industry Automobiles
Engineering Skills, Philadelphia University Dr. Tarek A. Tutunji Case Studies NASA Challenger The probability of O-ring failure increases in cold weather Managers vs. Engineers
Ford Engine Testing Emission tests were fabricated by performing illegal maintenance
Industrial Espionage Computer chips trade secrets using inside information
Engineering Skills, Philadelphia University Dr. Tarek A. Tutunji