Ethical Issues in Engineering

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What can happen when an engineer is forced to neglect safety checks to meet production targets?

The engineer may get a promotion

The project may be completed with higher quality

The company may receive positive feedback

The engineer may face legal consequences (correct)

What ethical issue is highlighted when an engineer is bribed to approve a potentially harmful project?

Corruption (correct)

Fairness

Environmental protection

Conflict of interest

In the context of engineering, what is a common ethical dilemma related to conflicts between economic and environmental requirements?

Safety checks neglect

Bribery and fraud

Conflict of interest

Environmental protection vs. economic goals (correct)

Why is fairness important in an engineer's decision-making process?

To treat all affected groups fairly Signup and view all the answers

What issue arises when an engineer's professional interests clash with personal interests?

Conflict of interest Signup and view all the answers

What outcome can result when environmental protection goals conflict with engineering goals in projects like power generation using fossil fuels?

Increased environmental damage Signup and view all the answers

What is the key difference between proprietary and open-source/free software licenses?

Proprietary licenses allow the publisher to sell or license the software on different terms, while open-source/free licenses prohibit this. Signup and view all the answers

Under a proprietary software license, what rights does the end-user typically have?

The end-user has the right to use a copy of the software, but ownership remains with the publisher. Signup and view all the answers

What is the main intent behind open-source/free software licenses?

To encourage the perpetuation of free use of the software. Signup and view all the answers

Under an open-source/free software license, when is the end-user required to accept the license terms?

The end-user is only required to accept the license terms when they want to exercise additional rights beyond the basic usage rights. Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the fair use doctrine in copyright law?

To enable the end-user to make limited use of copyrighted material for certain purposes, such as commentary, criticism, research, education, and scholarship. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of fair use of a copyrighted work?

Making a personal copy of a copyrighted CD for backup purposes. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary source of product liability law in the United States?

Common law developed through judicial precedents Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following government agencies is responsible for regulating product safety in the automotive industry?

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Signup and view all the answers

How can government agencies enforce product safety laws and regulations?

By issuing fines and filing lawsuits against manufacturers and sellers Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of Congress in product liability law?

To pass laws that create pre-sale and post-sale product safety responsibilities Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of judicial precedents in product liability law?

They serve as binding legal precedents for future cases Signup and view all the answers

What happens when a judge presides over a case with unique circumstances not covered by existing precedents?

The judge's ruling in the case becomes a new legal precedent Signup and view all the answers

What is the main reason why ethical conduct is important for engineers?

Engineering has a direct and vital impact on the quality of life for all people. Signup and view all the answers

How are laws and ethics related, according to the passage?

Laws are the minimum standards of behavior, while ethics are the desired behavior of society. Signup and view all the answers

What is the relationship between technology and ethics, according to the passage?

The evolution of technology creates new ethical issues. Signup and view all the answers

What is the definition of ethics, according to the passage?

Ethics is the study of human conduct that lays out the moral ground rules. Signup and view all the answers

What is the relationship between the evolution of society and changes in laws, according to the passage?

Laws reflect what society values, and as society evolves, its attitude toward behavior changes, and the laws change as well. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT considered unethical, according to the passage?

Making a defective product despite taking all due care. Signup and view all the answers

What is the main reason the law has developed the doctrine of strict liability for defective or dangerous consumer products?

It is too difficult and expensive for an individual consumer to prove the manufacturer or seller was careless. Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the key requirements for a consumer to recover compensation under the doctrine of strict liability?

The product must have an "unreasonably dangerous" defect that injured the consumer. Signup and view all the answers

According to the passage, what is one reason a consumer cannot be expected to prove a seller or renter had a proper system for checking for manufacturer's defects?

It would be extremely difficult and prohibitively expensive for a consumer to do so. Signup and view all the answers

What is the main purpose of the doctrine of strict liability for defective consumer products?

To make it easier for consumers to recover compensation for injuries. Signup and view all the answers

According to the passage, what is one reason a consumer cannot be expected to check each product before using it?