An Introduction to Engineering Ethics. for Mechanical, Industrial, and Manufacturing Engineers. Part 2

Transcription

1 An Introduction to Engineering Ethics for Mechanical, Industrial, and Manufacturing Engineers Part 2 1

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 In Class Exercise Ethical Dilemma Assignment Other Ethical Issues In Engineering Some Parting Philosophical Questions 2

3 Confronting 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.

4 In Class 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, time consuming 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.

5 In Class 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.

6 In Class Exercise: Confronting An Ethical Dilemma 3. Identify the ethical principles or applications in conflict.

7 Summary of Some Ethical Principles pleasure happiness self realization, 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 Self control, Temperance, Prudence Justice, fairness Faith Hope Love Honesty, Truthfulness Trustworthiness Loyalty Tolerance

8 In Class 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.

9 In Class 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) courage

10 In Class 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. (d)etc.

11 In Class 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 in others' work get full credit.

12 In Class 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,...

13 In Class 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.

14 Ethical Dilemma Assignment Individual thinking & writing assignment: 1. Choose an ethical dilemma from the list of MIME Ethical Dilemmas (on the Capstone website), but not the first one ( Tough assignment ). 2. Apply the Confronting Ethical Dilemmas process. 3. Write a short ( 2 pages) summary of your analysis: a) Name, Team #, Instructor, Date b) Dilemma: Description from List. c) Facts: From description, plus reasonable assumptions that do not make the dilemma go away. d) Ethical principles: Principles or applications in conflict and which are most important. e) Alternatives: Brief descriptions of options and their pros and cons, with respect to the principles. f) Conclusion: Best alternative course of action and why. 4. Turn in by next Monday at 5:00 PM in Dr. Funk's dropbox in DEAR 102. Graded P/N. (But mere submission P)

15 Other Ethical Issues In Engineering (if time permits) Conflict of Interest Conflicting interests vs. conflict of interest Bribes, gifts, kickbacks Insider information Global Issues Multinational corporations, international partners Technology transfer Appropriate technology Transfer of risk overseas Macro Issues: Environmental, Social, and Psychological Impacts of Engineering

16 Some Parting Philosophical Questions With Practical Implications What decisions do we make that do not involve value judgment? Is value (good/evil, right/wrong) objective or subjective? Is value (good/evil, right/wrong) absolute or relative? Does ought or obligation have any basis in reality? Where does obligation come from? Is there such a thing as unconditional obligation?

17 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 In Class Exercise Ethical Dilemma Assignment Other Ethical Issues In Engineering Some Parting Philosophical Questions 17

18 IE 380 The Responsible Engineer (3) The idea of responsibility and the ethical responsibilities of the engineer. Introduction to value, ethics, and ethical systems. Engineering as value creation and the ethical ramifications of engineering. Codes of engineering ethics. Recognizing and addressing ethical dilemmas in engineering. Examination of the individual, social, and environmental effects of engineering and technology. Baccalaureate Core Course (Synthesis, Sci/Tech/Soc) Spring term TR