Professional Ethics in Engineering
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Questions and Answers

What primary function does engineering serve according to its definition?

  • To develop theories for academic purposes
  • To conduct research in natural sciences
  • To provide entertainment through technology
  • To utilize materials and forces for economic benefit (correct)

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of a profession?

  • Casual work experience without evaluation (correct)
  • Community sanction and licensing
  • Formal education beyond undergraduate level
  • Professional authority and judgment

Why do professionals have special responsibilities towards their clients?

  • Trust is essential in the professional-client relationship (correct)
  • Clients can be treated as customers who have little expectation
  • The professional role does not impact the public good
  • Professionals can charge higher fees for their services

What distinguishes professions from non-professions?

<p>Presence of professional organizations (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a major role of ethics in professional life?

<p>To determine the moral implications of actions (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to the document, which group of professionals is NOT mentioned as distinct?

<p>Sales clerks (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What aspect is emphasized in the codes of ethics for engineers?

<p>Ensuring the safety and welfare of the public (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which question is fundamentally addressed by the branch of ethics?

<p>How do we balance individual rights against public good? (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is primarily considered when an act is deemed ethically right in engineering?

<p>Shared values of the engineering community (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the code of ethics establish for engineers?

<p>Minimum obligations to various stakeholders (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which principle is NOT one of the fundamental principles outlined for engineers?

<p>Engaging in competitive practices (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to the ICE rules of professional conduct, what should engineers prioritize in their professional duties?

<p>Integrity in their conduct (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which action must engineers take if they are convicted of a criminal offense?

<p>Notify the Institution of the conviction (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the obligations outlined in the code of ethics regarding environmental concerns?

<p>Showing due regard for the environment (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a requirement for engineers regarding their professional development?

<p>To develop knowledge and skills on a continuing basis (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of ethics in the field of engineering?

<p>To define what it means to be an engineer collectively (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is one possible consequence for breaching the Code of Ethics?

<p>Written rebuke (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which step is NOT part of solving ethical dilemmas in professional practice?

<p>Ignore stakeholder input (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What should be done during Step 4 of solving ethical dilemmas?

<p>Formulate alternative solutions (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

At which step should you monitor and assess the outcome of a decision made to solve an ethical dilemma?

<p>Step 9 (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a benefit of seeking additional assistance when faced with an ethical dilemma?

<p>To gather diverse perspectives (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT considered a core ethical value in decision-making?

<p>Popularity (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which guideline involves communicating effectively with stakeholders?

<p>Step 3: Assess the motivations of the stakeholders (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a likely consequence if a member is expelled from an organization?

<p>Loss of professional network connection (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What central principle does utilitarianism advocate for when making decisions?

<p>The greatest happiness for the greatest number (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following defines professional ethics most accurately?

<p>Standards agreed upon by professional communities (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How can ignorance impact an engineer's performance?

<p>It can cause the failure to recognize necessary technical details (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does negligence imply in the context of professional conduct?

<p>Knowing but failing to implement necessary actions (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In terms of professional ethics, how is incompetence differentiated from ignorance?

<p>Incompetence implies both lack of knowledge and lack of ability, while ignorance is simply the lack of knowledge (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which virtue is NOT typically associated with the ethical theories discussed?

<p>Self-interest (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What role does the categorical imperative play in Kant's ethical theory?

<p>It establishes a requirement to respect others as rational beings (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the concept of 'professionalism' generally exclude?

<p>Engaging in negligent behavior (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Engineering Definition

Applying scientific knowledge to use natural resources for human benefit.

Profession vs. Non-Profession

Professions require special knowledge, education, and authority, often with licensing and professional associations. Non-professions may not.

Professional Responsibilities

Professionals have special duties, like prioritizing client trust and public well-being, usually with ethical codes.

Professional Ethics

Ethical rules/principles that guide professional conduct, ensuring responsible application within their field.

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Client vs. Customer

Clients rely on professionals for judgment and trust; customers do not typically.

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Ethical Dilemma

A difficult situation requiring a decision between competing values or responsibilities.

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Code of Ethics

A set of rules or principles that guide professional behavior and decision-making.

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Schools of Ethics

Different philosophical approaches to understanding right and wrong conduct.

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Engineering Ethics

Standards of conduct expected from engineers, reflecting shared values within the engineering community.

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Ignorance (in Ethics)

Lack of knowledge about the necessary actions or requirements in a situation.

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Incompetence (in Ethics)

Inability to perform required tasks, even with knowledge of what to do.

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Negligence (in Ethics)

Failure to perform proper actions, representing a lack of professionalism.

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Ethics

A branch of philosophy dealing with moral principles and values.

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Virtues (in Ethics)

Dispositions to act in ways beneficial both for the person possessing them and society.

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Categorical Imperative

Moral duty to respect other rational beings, derived from knowledge of duties.

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ABET Code of Ethics

A code of ethics for engineers, focusing on professional responsibility, public welfare, competence, and integrity.

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ICE Rules of Professional Conduct

A code of ethics for engineers in the UK, emphasizing integrity, competence, public interest, and sustainability.

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Negligence

Failing to execute a task with the appropriate care, skill, and time needed to ensure its completeness and accuracy.

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Shared Values

Common beliefs and principles held by a group, shaping their behavior and defining their ethical standards.

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Competence

The ability to perform tasks effectively, demonstrating knowledge, skills, and experience in a particular field.

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Professional Development

Continual learning and improvement of professional knowledge, skills, and competence throughout an engineer's career.

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Consequences for Ethics Breach

Possible actions taken against an engineer who breaks their professional code of ethics. These can include warnings, fines, suspension, or expulsion from their professional organization.

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Stakeholders in Ethical Dilemmas

Individuals or groups with interests affected by an engineer's decisions. They should be identified and considered when solving ethical problems.

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Analyzing Stakeholder Motivations

Understanding the goals, values, and potential biases of stakeholders involved in an ethical dilemma.

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Formulating Alternative Solutions

Generating different possible solutions to an ethical dilemma, based on available information and ethical principles.

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Evaluating Alternative Solutions

Assessing the potential effectiveness and ethical implications of different proposed solutions to an ethical dilemma.

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Seeking Additional Assistance

Consulting resources like professional codes of ethics, case studies, colleagues, or personal experience for guidance in resolving ethical dilemmas.

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Selecting the Best Course of Action

Choosing the solution that best aligns with the highest ethical values, prioritizing the well-being of individuals and society.

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Monitoring and Assessing Outcomes

Evaluating the results of the chosen solution, documenting lessons learned for future ethical decision-making.

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Study Notes

Course Information

  • Course name: Professional Ethics
  • Course code: ENGR 1100
  • Instructor: Leighton A. Ellis

Lecture Outline

  • What is Engineering?
  • What is a Profession?
    • Examples of professions: Physicians, lawyers, engineers, accountants
    • Examples of non-professions: Plumbers, fashion models, sales clerks
    • What distinguishes professions from non-professions?
  • What are the characteristics of a profession?
    • Special knowledge and intellectual skills
    • Formal education (often postgraduate degree)
    • Professional authority, judgment, peer review
    • Community sanction, accreditation, licensing
    • Professional Associations (e.g., ICE, ASCE, CSCE, etc.)
  • Why do professionals have special responsibilities?
    • Professionals have clients, not customers (distinction)
    • Clients must trust professionals
    • Profession serves a public good
    • Codes of ethics: special responsibilities of professionals
    • Engineers have the responsibility to ensure the safety of people
  • Schools of Ethics
    • Aristotelian ethics: virtues such as justice, charity, and generosity
    • Kantian ethics: duty central to morality, categorical imperative
    • Utilitarianism: guiding principle of conduct is the greatest happiness/benefit for the greatest number
  • Professional Ethics
    • A subset of ethics addressing engineer's decisions and conduct
    • Unlike personal ethics, it's defined by the professional community
    • Represents shared values of the professional community
    • Behavioral standards of engineers that reflect common values
  • Ethics
    • A branch of philosophy addressing questions of a good life and right conduct
    • Example questions: What is meant by a good life?, What constitutes right conduct?, Is it ever right to lie/steal/kill/ ?
  • What constitutes right conduct?
    • How professionals should be judged (e.g., ignorant, incompetent, negligent)
  • Ignorance
    • Lacking knowledge of what needs to be done in a specific situation
    • Example: Not considering shear in beam design, resulting in beam failure
  • Incompetence
    • Inability to perform needed tasks, even with knowledge
    • Example: Knowing how to judge shear in a beam but not knowing how to actually do it
  • Negligence
    • Not fulfilling required actions or making necessary effort
    • Opposite of professionalism
  • Ethics as Shared Values
    • Engineering community judges acts as ethical because intrinsically part of shared values
    • Engineering ethics are a statement of what it means to be an engineer
  • Code of Ethics
    • Rules of conduct for a particular group/culture/class
    • Example: Engineering ethics
    • Establishes minimum obligations for each member to the profession, public, association, employer, client, and themself
  • ABET's Code of Ethics of Engineers
    • Fundamental principles: enhances human welfare, honesty, impartiality, serving public/employers/clients, striving to increase engineering profession's prestige, and supporting engineering societies
  • ICE Rules of Professional Conduct (and others as listed)
    • Rules outlining professional duties (integrity, competence, public interest, environment)
  • Consequences for Breach of the Code of Ethics
    • Written rebuke, fine, suspension of membership, expulsion/termination, or combinations
  • Guidelines for Solving Ethical Dilemmas
    • Steps for ethical decision making: determine the facts, define stakeholders, assess motivations, formulate solutions, evaluate solutions, seek additional assistance
    • Select the best course of action, implement solution, monitor and assess the outcome
  • Conclusion
    • Reviewed distinction between professional/non-professional
    • Identified sources of unprofessional acts
    • Explored relevance of code of ethics for engineering
    • Presented guidelines to solve ethical dilemmas
  • Assignment (20%)
    • Research an engineering ethics case study, describe the project and ethical dilemma, evaluate the characters' decisions, and suggest solutions to the problem. (using the referenced website)

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Professional Ethics Lecture - ENGR 1100

Description

This quiz explores the concepts of engineering as a profession, distinguishing characteristics of professions, and the special responsibilities that professionals have towards their clients. It also covers the importance of ethics and community standards in the engineering field.

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