Engineering Ethics and Responsibilities

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Questions and Answers

What is a key consideration for engineers when designing projects?

Increasing production regardless of ethical concerns

Minimizing project costs only

Ensuring public good and safety (correct)

Maximizing personal gain

What does the Greek term 'arete' relate to in the context of engineering ethics?

Multitasking abilities

Financial success

Excellence or virtue (correct)

Leadership skills

In ethical dilemmas, what might conflict with loyalty to colleagues?

Technical expertise

Personal ambitions (correct)

Team collaboration

Project deadlines

Which of the following is NOT a consideration in moral or ethical dilemmas?

Environmental impact Signup and view all the answers

What role do moral values play in the engineering profession?

They structure relationships and communities. Signup and view all the answers

Why is ethical evaluation important in engineering actions?

To balance moral obligations and rights Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of moral issues is highlighted in the design of a chicken coop?

Safety for villagers and humane conditions for chickens Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about ethical standards is true?

They are usually relative and personal. Signup and view all the answers

What is one primary responsibility of engineers in social experimentation during projects?

To ensure benefit creation and prevent harm Signup and view all the answers

Which theme emphasizes the relationship between ethics and engineering excellence?

Moral values influence technological development Signup and view all the answers

What is a more critical aspect than punishing wrongdoing in engineering ethics?

Promoting responsible conduct Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a factor that contributes to ethical dilemmas in engineering?

Abundance of ethical guidelines Signup and view all the answers

How are micro and macro issues relevant to engineering ethics?

They often influence each other and should be explored together Signup and view all the answers

What should engineers consider to prevent risks in their projects?

Potential hazards as well as long-term consequences Signup and view all the answers

What was a significant ethical issue in the Space Shuttle Columbia disaster?

Failure to conduct an extra evaluation following prior incidents Signup and view all the answers

Which of these actions is essential for engineers during a project?

Monitoring projects and being ready for any danger Signup and view all the answers

What primarily concerns the decisions made by individuals and companies?

Micro ethical issues Signup and view all the answers

What was a significant consequence of the Ford Explorer and Bridgestone/Firestone case study?

High rates of fatalities and injuries Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes macro ethical issues?

Relates to technological development directions Signup and view all the answers

What is a key feature of engineering ethics?

It evaluates moral justification in decisions Signup and view all the answers

In the context of technology, which ethical concern is emphasized?

Balancing safety and environmental impacts Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the major criticisms of SUVs mentioned in the material?

Increased instability Signup and view all the answers

Which aspect of ethics is specifically considered in engineering practice?

Moral desirability of decisions Signup and view all the answers

What often drives macro ethical issues in society?

Technological advancements Signup and view all the answers

What is a key aspect of personal commitment for engineers?

Integrating personal commitments with shared responsibilities in ethics Signup and view all the answers

What does 'preventive ethics' aim to achieve?

Preventing moral harm and ethical dilemmas Signup and view all the answers

How can engineers demonstrate responsible conduct?

By being value-driven rather than just compliance-driven Signup and view all the answers

What was a consequence of the Enron scandal?

The largest bankruptcy in U.S. history, losing $60 billion in shareholder value Signup and view all the answers

What may lead to ethical dilemmas according to the content?

Conflicts among varying moral obligations and values Signup and view all the answers

What energizes workers in the context of redesigning the artificial lung?

Concrete evidence of their efforts making a difference Signup and view all the answers

What should engineers primarily focus on according to the ethical considerations discussed?

Integrating ethical considerations with engineering practices Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the relationship between ethics and excellence in engineering?

Ethics underpins the quest for excellence in engineering. Signup and view all the answers

Which type of responsibility involves simply being a cause of an event?

Causal responsibility Signup and view all the answers

Which virtue can be attributed to some corporations but not to others?

Public spiritedness Signup and view all the answers

What is one characteristic that distinguishes legal responsibility?

It is defined by laws and regulations. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT typically considered a virtue associated with corporations?

Greed Signup and view all the answers

Which responsibility type is primarily concerned with blame or praise?

Moral responsibility Signup and view all the answers

Which option best represents an incongruent virtue with corporate ethics?

Self-interest Signup and view all the answers

Which aspect is considered a part of causal responsibility?

Being a direct cause of an event Signup and view all the answers

Legal responsibility primarily ensures compliance with which of the following?

Legislative requirements Signup and view all the answers

What is one ethical issue related to the Citicorp Tower case?

Relying solely on building codes for structural integrity. Signup and view all the answers

Which aspect of professional responsibility was neglected by LeMessurier?

Following codes of conduct for every chartered institution. Signup and view all the answers

What was one consequence of concealing the Citicorp Tower's design issues?

Delayed advancements in professional knowledge. Signup and view all the answers

What change was made to the Citicorp Tower's construction in response to the wind load analysis?

Converting welded connections to bolted connections. Signup and view all the answers

What responsibility should engineers prioritize based on the ethical issues presented in the Citicorp Tower case?

Ensuring public safety as a primary concern. Signup and view all the answers

What was a significant oversight in the calculations for the Citicorp Tower?

Overlooking the impact of diagonal wind loads. Signup and view all the answers

Why was the switch from welded to bolted connections in the Citicorp Tower significant?

It indicated a momentary decision rather than a thorough analysis. Signup and view all the answers

What was a key factor that limited the ethical learning from the Citicorp Tower incident?

Concealment of the design problems for nearly two decades. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Engineering Ethics Chapter 1

Covered topics include Scope of Engineering Ethics, Accepting and Sharing Responsibility, Responsible Professionals and Ethical Corporation, and Ethics Vocabulary.
The course was prepared and modified by Dr. Omar Alkhatib, Dr. Mohammed Hamadan, Jon, and Mohammed Esmaail Shakfah.
The course was given in Spring 2021.

Ethics Vocabulary

Morals: Concerns the goodness of voluntary human conduct.
Morals: Latin word (mores) refers to aspects of human action.
Morality: Standards or principles derived from society or individuals. It's synonymous with goodness.
Morality: Concerns respecting persons and oneself, being fair and meeting obligations.
Moral framework: A set of codes that guide behavior, like personal values and society beliefs.
Ethics: Studies which actions are morally justified.
Ethical framework: A set of professional guidelines (like codes of ethics).
Value: Personal beliefs on what is right and wrong.
Ethical/moral issue: Any issue with the potential to harm or benefit others.
Ethical responsibility: The ability to recognize obligations, interpret values, and act ethically.
Legal: Set of rules or action "Law" by government/country.
Classification of Actions: Ethical, Unethical, Legal, Illegal. Actions can be Legal and Ethical, Ethical but Illegal, Unethical but Legal, and Illegal and Unethical.

Scope of Engineering Ethics

Engineering projects are social experiments.
Engineers share responsibility to create benefits, prevent harm, and point out dangers.
Moral values permeate all aspects of technological development.
Ethics are crucial to engineering excellence.
Personal meaning and commitment matter in engineering ethics.
Promoting responsible conduct is significant.
Ethical dilemmas are common due to numerous and often conflicting values.
Technological development should be cautiously optimistic.

Cases Studies

Space Shuttle Columbia Disaster (2003): Insulation foam from the fuel tank caused the disaster. Ethical issues were ignored: similar prior events, no extra evaluation, escape plans, safety and lives.
Students Designing Chicken Coops: Freshman course project exploring ethical considerations in engineering.
Saving Citicorp Tower: Engineering practices and safety standards were ignored by management. The public and safety concerns were prioritized in the final analysis.
Artificial Lung: A team of engineers are reengineering an artificial lung. Workers were energized by saving people's lives and overcoming challenging conditions.
Enron Scandal (2001): A large bankruptcy with $60 billion in shareholder reduction.
Manufacturing Chemical Product: Moral values are embedded within production and must be considered.
Ford Explorer and Bridgestone/Firestone (1990-2002): Debates about SUVs, fatalities and injuries. Micro and macro level issues surrounding quality control, safety and blame.

Other Concepts

Moral/Ethical Dilemmas: Situations where two or more values/obligations conflict or where application of moral values can be questioned.
Personal Commitment and Meaning: Engineering encompasses people and products, not just technology. Engineers' personal commitments need to integrate with society.
Promoting Responsible Conduct: The need to support responsible conduct, and focus on preventing wrongdoing.
Micro and Macro Issues: Micro ethics relate to individual corporate decisions, while macro ethics focus on broader global concerns (technological progress, law changes, collective responsibilities).
Ethical/Moral Theories: Used to explain good/bad/right/wrong conduct.
Code of Ethics: Provides broad guidelines for ethical conduct.
Moral Autonomy: The skill and habit of thinking rationally about ethical concerns.
Moral Awareness, Reasoning, Coherence, Imagination, Communication: Key to improving moral autonomy. Skills needed for practical application.
Tolerance of Diversity: Moral perspectives and beliefs should be mutually respected.
Moral Hope: Moral conflicts can be resolved through rational discussion.
Integrity: Maintaining high moral standards.

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Description

Explore the vital principles of engineering ethics in this quiz. Dive into key considerations such as moral values, ethical dilemmas, and the relationship between ethics and engineering excellence. Test your understanding of the responsibilities that engineers hold in their professional practices.