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?

Presence of professional organizations Signup and view all the answers

What is a major role of ethics in professional life?

To determine the moral implications of actions Signup and view all the answers

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

Sales clerks Signup and view all the answers

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

Ensuring the safety and welfare of the public Signup and view all the answers

Which question is fundamentally addressed by the branch of ethics?

How do we balance individual rights against public good? Signup and view all the answers

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

Shared values of the engineering community Signup and view all the answers

What does the code of ethics establish for engineers?

Minimum obligations to various stakeholders Signup and view all the answers

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

Engaging in competitive practices Signup and view all the answers

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

Integrity in their conduct Signup and view all the answers

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

Notify the Institution of the conviction Signup and view all the answers

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

Showing due regard for the environment Signup and view all the answers

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

To develop knowledge and skills on a continuing basis Signup and view all the answers

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

To define what it means to be an engineer collectively Signup and view all the answers

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

Written rebuke Signup and view all the answers

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

Ignore stakeholder input Signup and view all the answers

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

Formulate alternative solutions 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?

Step 9 Signup and view all the answers

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

To gather diverse perspectives Signup and view all the answers

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

Popularity Signup and view all the answers

Which guideline involves communicating effectively with stakeholders?

Step 3: Assess the motivations of the stakeholders Signup and view all the answers

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

Loss of professional network connection Signup and view all the answers

What central principle does utilitarianism advocate for when making decisions?

The greatest happiness for the greatest number Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following defines professional ethics most accurately?

Standards agreed upon by professional communities Signup and view all the answers

How can ignorance impact an engineer's performance?

It can cause the failure to recognize necessary technical details Signup and view all the answers

What does negligence imply in the context of professional conduct?

Knowing but failing to implement necessary actions Signup and view all the answers

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

Incompetence implies both lack of knowledge and lack of ability, while ignorance is simply the lack of knowledge Signup and view all the answers

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

Self-interest Signup and view all the answers

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

It establishes a requirement to respect others as rational beings Signup and view all the answers

What does the concept of 'professionalism' generally exclude?

Engaging in negligent behavior Signup and view all the answers

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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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.