Engineering Ethics: Three Case Studies
ENGINEERING ETHICS: THREE CASE STUDIES (Subtitle: EVERYTHING SHOULD BE AS SIMPLE AS POSSIBLE, BUT NOT SIMPLER) Victor Singer, P.E. (retired) Dan Schiffbauer, P.E. Toshiba OVERVIEW: • Canons or Codes of Ethics • Noteworthy Historical Background for Each Case In Point – The Tacoma Narrows First Suspension Bridge: failed 1940 – The Silver Bridge (US Hwy 35 Ohio River Crossing): failed 1967 – The Shuttle Challenger: failed 1986 • Questions To Ponder For Each Case In Point: – Are There Relevant Ethical Issues Or Just 20-20 Hindsight? – When, If At All, Did Which Ethical Issue Come Into Play? – If Errors Occurred, Were They Errors Of Judgment, Omission or Commission? – Or Murphy’s Law Events - - Accidents In An Imperfectly Understood World? – Who Should Have Done What, That He Didn't Do? CANONS OR CODES OF ETHICS • NSPE, ASCE, ASME, AAES: Engineers shall hold paramount the safety, health and welfare of the public . (Fundamental Canon) • AIChE: Members shall hold paramount the safety, health and welfare of the public . • IEEE: We, the members of the IEEE . , do hereby . agree to accept responsibility in making decisions consistent with the safety, health and welfare of the public . • AIAA: The AIAA member will have proper regard for the safety, health and welfare of the public in the performance of his professional duties. • AIA: Members should . thoughtfully consider the social and environmental impact of their professional activities. • ABA Model Code of Professional Responsibility: Canons: 1. A lawyer should assist in maintaining the integrity and competence of the legal profession. 2. A lawyer should assist the legal profession in its duty to make legal counsel available.
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