Professional Ethics and Responsibility
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Professional Ethics and Responsibility

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Questions and Answers

What does May emphasize as crucial to professional ethics?

  • The legal regulations governing the profession.
  • The policies established by the organization.
  • The technical skills of the professional.
  • The moral disposition of the professional. (correct)

    • Which approach to responsibility is characterized by minimal effort to avoid trouble?

  • Minimalist approach (correct)
  • Comprehensive approach
  • Responsible approach
  • Proactive approach

    • What attitude may lead a professional to perform beyond what is required?

  • Cautious attitude
  • Disengaged attitude
  • Indifferent attitude
  • Proactive attitude (correct)

    • Which of the following best describes the minimalist approach to responsibility?

    <p>Completing only what is necessary to keep one’s job.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    May suggests professionals should bring what to their moral responsibilities?

    <p>A moral disposition that shapes their approach.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What characterizes a highly responsible engineer?

    <p>Demonstrating integrity and civic-mindedness</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following best examples the meaning of responsibility in engineering?

    <p>Adhering to high ethical standards and accountability</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What might be a consequence of a minimalist approach in engineering practice?

    <p>Meeting only basic requirements and possibly overlooking quality</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following traits is NOT typically associated with a responsible engineer?

    <p>Eagerness to hide mistakes to maintain reputation</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In the context of engineering responsibility, what does 'big picture' thinking imply?

    <p>Understanding the broader impact of engineering decisions</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What approach would likely lead to enhanced ethical behavior in engineering?

    <p>Taking initiative to exceed standard practices</p> Signup and view all the answers

    According to the engineering standards, which aspect is emphasized as crucial?

    <p>Regulatory specifications for engineering designs</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What role does civic-mindedness play in engineering responsibility?

    <p>Promoting community awareness and ethical decision-making</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What demonstrates a person being legally liable for harm?

    <p>Negligently failing to conform to standards, resulting in actual loss.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT a basis for a charge of negligence?

    <p>Acknowledgment of potential harm caused.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does standardized terminology impact engineering practice?

    <p>It facilitates the management of technological complexity.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which principle is essential for engineers when evaluating plans and projects?

    <p>Collecting comprehensive and reliable information.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What challenge is described as the 'Problem of Many Hands'?

    <p>The difficulty in finding individual accountability in collective action.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT considered an impediment to action?

    <p>Courage</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What best defines negligent harm in a moral context?

    <p>Failing to exercise reasonable care toward others.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which statement best captures the role of design standards in engineering?

    <p>They limit the scope of engineering decisions.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary purpose of regulatory standards in engineering?

    <p>To ensure certain levels of quality, safety, and efficiency</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the term 'obligation responsibility' refer to in engineering ethics?

    <p>The duty to use specialized knowledge to benefit clients and the public</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What defines the 'standard of care' for engineers according to Joshua B. Kardon?

    <p>The average level of service provided by engineers in similar fields</p> Signup and view all the answers

    According to the content, in what scenario could an engineer be held morally responsible?

    <p>When their actions result from self-deception or ignorance leading to harm</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is identified as a cause in the Columbia case?

    <p>Deficiencies in organizational culture</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the concept of 'blame-responsibility' imply?

    <p>The notion of responsibility for past errors leading to harm</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which statement is accurate regarding the liability of engineers for errors?

    <p>The level of error determines liability between non-negligent and negligent</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which engineering disaster is mentioned as an example of failing to meet safety standards?

    <p>Kansas City Hyatt Regency Hotel</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Professional Ethics

    • Professional ethics are significantly influenced by a professional's moral character and how they navigate their work environment.
    • This moral disposition shapes their problem-solving approach.

    Approaches to Responsibility

    • Minimalist Approach: Focuses on avoiding trouble, maintaining employment, and fulfilling basic requirements.
    • "Above and Beyond" Approach: Characterized by proactive attitudes and dispositions that exceed expected duties.

    Engineering Responsibility

    • The concept of responsibility is multi-faceted and applies to individuals, divisions, and organizations within engineering.
    • Engineers are expected to commit to high standards of conduct. This includes integrity, honesty, civic-mindedness, and willingness to make sacrifices.
    • Two possible approaches to responsibility:
      • Minimalist approach: doing the bare minimum to avoid trouble.
      • Above and beyond: going the extra mile to exceed expectations.
    • Characteristics of a highly responsible engineer:
      • Integrity, honesty, civic-mindedness
      • Willingness to make self-sacrifices
      • Imaginativeness, perseverance
      • Clear communication
      • Commitment to objectivity
      • Openness to acknowledging and correcting mistakes
      • Ability to work well with others
      • Commitment to quality
      • Ability to see the "big picture" and details
    • Engineering standards:
      • Regulatory bodies that specify technical requirements for specific designs.
      • May require specific procedures to ensure quality and safety.
    • Obligation Responsibility:
      • Engineers have a responsibility to use their skills for the benefit of clients and the public.
      • This includes not violating the trust placed in them.
      • Sometimes refers to a person in a position of supervision.
    • Blame-Responsibility:
      • A backward-looking concept of responsibility.
      • Engineers can be held morally responsible for harm caused by self-deception or ignorance.
    • Standard of Care:
      • A demanding norm that engineers are expected to meet.
      • Codes of Ethics from professional engineering societies outline standards of conduct.
      • Safety standards are set by government agencies.
    • Joshua B. Kardon's definition of the standard of care:
      • The level of service typically provided by competent practitioners in the same field, locality, and circumstances.
    • Columbia Case:
      • Two principal causes: Physical damage to the left wing of the shuttle, and organizational failures within NASA.
      • Three types of accident explanations: Physical cause, organizational causes, and individuals responsible.
    • Liability and Moral Responsibility:
      • Legal liability for causing harm entails punishment or restitution for harm caused.
      • Categories of liability:
        • Intentional harm
        • Reckless harm
        • Negligent harm
    • Basis for a negligence charge:
      • Legal obligation to meet certain standards.
      • Failure to meet those standards.
      • Causal connection between conduct and harm.
      • Actual loss or damage.
    • Negligence from a moral standpoint:
      • Failure to exercise reasonable care in causing harm.
    • Design Standards:
      • Mechanisms for managing complexity in technology.
      • Standardized terminology, properties, and procedures help limit the scope of decisions engineers need to make.
    • Principles of Engineering:
      • Gather complete and reliable information.
      • Consider the wider context of plans and projects, including impacts on workers, transportation, communication, resources, and economic feasibility.
    • The Problem of Many Hands:
      • When harm results from collective inaction, individual responsibility varies based on each member's potential role in preventing inaction.
    • Impediments to Responsible Action:
      • Self-interest
      • Self-deception
      • Fear
      • Ignorance
      • Egocentric tendencies
      • Microscopic vision
      • Uncritical acceptance of authority
      • Groupthink

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    Description

    Explore the various dimensions of professional ethics and the approaches to responsibility in the workplace. This quiz will examine moral character, problem-solving methods, and the differences between minimalist and proactive attitudes. Test your understanding of how ethics influence professional behavior.

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