EnGr 251 Engineering Ethics Lecture 1 PDF

Asst. Prof. Ahmet Çelik Email: [email protected] Office: B-422  Syllabus Assessment If a n y , Percentage Criteria mark as (%) (X) Midterm Exams X 40...

Asst. Prof. Ahmet Çelik Email: [email protected] Office: B-422  Syllabus Assessment If a n y , Percentage Criteria mark as (%) (X) Midterm Exams X 40 Quizzes Homework Projects Term Paper Laboratory work Other Final E x a m X 60 Attendance is mandatory  Topics Introduction to Engineering ethics Professionalism and Codes of Ethics Understanding Ethical Problems Ethical Problem-Solving Techniques  Topics Risk, Safety, and Accidents The Rights and Responsibilities of Engineers Ethical Issues in Engineering Practice  Engineering Engineering is the creative use of scientific principles to design and develop various structures, machines, processes, or works. It involves constructing, operating, and understanding these creations with a focus on their intended function, economic efficiency, and safety for life and property.  Engineering Engineering therefore is about transforming science into useful products for human comfort. Engineering is something that engineers do, and what they do has profound effects on others.  Ethics in engineering Ethics in engineering involves the dual capacity and responsibility of an engineer to assess their decisions in the context of the overall well-being of society. This field explores moral issues faced by engineers and engineering organizations, particularly when making critical decisions.  Ethics in engineering In engineering research and practice, thorough consideration of the advantages and disadvantages of a given action and its implementation is essential. Professional engineering bodies such as IEEE, ASME, IEI, etc., have developed comprehensive ethics codes specific to their professions, drawing from the extensive experience of their members. Independent organizations like NSPE have also formulated value-based ethical codes that are applicable across various engineering professions.  Ethics in engineering Academic institutions teach engineering ethics primarily through case studies, fostering interactive awareness among students from various engineering disciplines. This approach aims to develop students' awareness and evaluative skills, enabling them to assess the moral and ethical implications of their future decisions.  Ethics in engineering Ethical standards in engineering are shaped by several factors. These include the overarching goal of engineering as an endeavor for the benefit of humanity, leading to significant consequences. Ethical dilemmas add complexity to engineering decisions.  Ethics in engineering Engineers prioritize the risk and safety of citizens as a social responsibility. The demanding nature of technological advancement on global engineering skills is also a key influence. Lastly, decision-making in engineering is significantly influenced by moral values and a commitment to responsible conduct.  Ethics in engineering The inclusion of engineering ethics in an engineering program serves to equip students for their professional careers. One notable benefit is the development of clarity in students' understanding and thinking about ethical issues and their practical application in the field of engineering.  Ethics in engineering Ethics studies contribute to the development of broadly applicable skills in communication, reasoning, and reflection among students. These skills, in turn, improve students' capabilities, enabling them to effectively engage in various aspects of the engineering program, including group work and work placements.  Ethics in engineering Scientific and technological advances have, in some instances, posed risks to human safety. The atom bomb serves as a notable example. Einstein, anticipating the potential transformation of uranium into a significant energy source, shared his concerns with President Roosevelt based on research studies.  Ethics in engineering Einstein cautioned that the new development could result in the creation of bombs. Despite having no involvement in the manufacturing of the atomic bomb or influence over its deployment in World War II, Einstein later expressed regret for signing the letter, as it ultimately contributed to the development and use of the bomb against civilian populations.  WHY STUDY ENGINEERING ETHICS? Recent high-profile cases that garnered significant media attention have heightened engineers' awareness of their professional responsibilities. High-profile cases in engineering have underscored the significance of ethics within the profession, emphasizing engineers' recognition of the broad societal impacts of their technical work.  WHY STUDY ENGINEERING ETHICS? Engineers acknowledge that their work can impact public health, safety, business practices, and even politics. The heightened awareness of ethical considerations in engineering has led to the establishment of ethics offices in nearly every major corporation. These offices aim to provide employees with a platform to voice concerns about safety and corporate practices without fear of retaliation. Additionally, ethics offices work to cultivate an ethical culture within the corporation to proactively address and prevent ethical issues.  WHY STUDY ENGINEERING ETHICS? The aim of this book and engineering ethics courses is to raise awareness of significant ethical issues before individuals encounter them in their careers. The study involves examining past cases to understand the challenges faced by other engineers, providing insight into how to navigate similar situations in one's professional journey. Additionally, the learning process includes acquiring techniques for analyzing and resolving ethical problems as they arise.  WHY STUDY ENGINEERING ETHICS? The overarching goal is encapsulated by the term "moral autonomy," signifying the capacity to think critically and independently about moral issues and apply this thinking to situations encountered in professional engineering practice. This book aims to cultivate the moral autonomy of future engineers, empowering them to navigate ethical challenges with independent and critical moral reasoning.  WHY STUDY ENGINEERING ETHICS? The question of why future engineers should study ethics is posed by considering whether individuals are inherently good or bad. The answer lies in the nature of ethical problems encountered by engineers.  WHY STUDY ENGINEERING ETHICS? While good people may inherently know the right thing to do, studying ethics becomes crucial because ethical problems in engineering often have clear and obvious correct responses. For instance, knowingly using substandard materials in a design, as seen with the Pinto's wheel lugs, is recognized as unethical and wrong due to the potential risks and harm it poses, both ethically and commercially.  WHY STUDY ENGINEERING ETHICS? In engineering practice, ethical problems are often intricate, involving conflicting ethical principles. The case of the Pinto illustrates a clear dilemma faced by engineers.  WHY STUDY ENGINEERING ETHICS? Trade-offs were necessary to market the Pinto at a reasonable price, and one of these trade-offs, involving the placement of the gas tank, resulted in the Indiana accident. The essential question for Ford engineers and managers became a balance between safety and affordability, as well as the company's ability to sell the car and generate profits.  WHY STUDY ENGINEERING ETHICS? This book will focus on discussing situations in engineering where ethical problems are complex and involve conflicting principles. The objective is not merely to instruct individuals on doing the right thing when the ethical choice is clear, but rather to train them to analyze intricate problems and develop the skills to resolve them in the most ethical manner possible.  ENGINEERING IS MANAGING THE UNKNOWN Ethical issues in engineering often arise due to a lack of knowledge, a common situation in the field. Engineers frequently find themselves in situations where they lack essential information, particularly in the creative process of designing new devices and products.  ENGINEERING IS MANAGING THE UNKNOWN When something is new, many questions need to be answered. How well does it work? How will it affect people? What changes will this lead to in society? How well will this work under all of the conditions that it will be exposed to? Is it safe?  ENGINEERING IS MANAGING THE UNKNOWN If there are some safety concerns, how bad are they? What are the effects of doing nothing? The answers to these questions are often only partly known. So, to a large extent, an engineer’s job is to manage the unknown.  ENGINEERING IS MANAGING THE UNKNOWN How does an engineer accomplish this? Really, as an engineer you can never be absolutely certain that your design will never harm anyone or cause detrimental changes to society. But you must test your design as thoroughly as time and resources permit to ensure that it operates safely and as planned. Also, you must use your creativity to attempt to foresee the possible consequences of your work.  PERSONAL VS. PROFESSIONAL ETHICS In the realm of engineering ethics, a distinction is crucial between personal ethics and professional or business ethics, although their boundaries may not always be clear. Personal ethics pertains to how individuals treat others in their daily lives, and many of these principles are relevant to ethical situations in business and engineering.  PERSONAL VS. PROFESSIONAL ETHICS However, professional ethics often entails decisions at an organizational level rather than a personal one. Issues in professional ethics often involve complex relationships between corporations, between corporations and the government, or between corporations and groups of individuals, presenting challenges distinct from those encountered in personal ethics.  THE ORIGINS OF ETHICAL THOUGHT The ethical philosophies discussed in this book have origins in Western ethical thought, originating from ancient Greek philosophy and evolving through subsequent centuries in the Judeo-Christian tradition. Interestingly, similar ethical principles have independently developed in non-Western cultures. While personal ethics for many individuals are rooted in religious beliefs, it's essential to note that ethical behavior is not exclusively tied to religion.  THE ORIGINS OF ETHICAL THOUGHT Many ethical individuals are not religious, and there are cases of seemingly religious individuals who lack ethical behavior. The ethical principles discussed in this book, though originating from religious traditions, are now cultural norms in the West and widely accepted, irrespective of their religious origin. Explicit reference to religion is not necessary for discussing ethics in the engineering profession.  Questions What is engineering? A. The study of scientific principles B.The application of scientific principles to design and develop creations C. The analysis of economic efficiency D. The operation of existing structures and machines Answer:  Questions What does engineering primarily focus on? A.Economic efficiency only B. Safety for life and property only C.Intended function, economic efficiency, and safety for life and property D. Creative expression Answer:  Questions In engineering, what role do scientific principles play? A. They are irrelevant to the engineering process B. They serve as the foundation for creative application C. They only guide economic considerations D.They are only important for understanding existing creations Answer:  Questions What are the key activities involved in engineering? A. Analyzing historical structures B. Constructing, operating, and understanding creations C. Conducting market research D. Writing poetry about machines Answer:  Questions Why is safety emphasized in engineering? A. To increase economic efficiency B. To fulfill legal requirements only C. To ensure the well-being of life and property D. Safety is not a consideration in engineering Answer:  Questions What is the dual capacity and responsibility of an engineer in ethics? A. To prioritize personal interests B. To assess decisions only based on economic factors C.To consider decisions in the context of overall societal well-being D. To avoid critical decision-making Answer:  Questions How do professional engineering bodies contribute to ethics in engineering? A. By promoting individual interests B.By developing comprehensive ethics codes specific to their professions C. By avoiding involvement in moral issues D. By discouraging critical decision-making Answer:  Questions How is ethics taught in academic institutions in engineering? A. Through lectures only B. Through theoretical discussions only C.Primarily through case studies for interactive awareness D. By avoiding practical applications Answer:  Questions What role do ethical dilemmas play in engineering decisions? A. They simplify decision-making B. They add complexity to decision-making C. They are irrelevant to ethical considerations D. They discourage responsible conduct Answer:  Questions Why did Einstein regret signing the letter to President Roosevelt? A. Due to his influence on the atomic bomb's deployment B.Because he had knowledge of the atomic bomb's manufacturing C.As it contributed to the development and use of the atomic bomb against civilians D.Because it had no impact on the ethical considerations of the atomic bomb Answer:  Questions What has led engineers to an increased awareness of their professional responsibilities? A. Recent high-profile cases in engineering B. Media attention on ethical dilemmas C. Corporate pressure D. Lack of ethics training Answer:  Questions What impact do high-profile cases in engineering have on the profession? A. They reduce the significance of ethics in engineering. B.They emphasize the broad societal impacts of technical work. C.They discourage engineers from recognizing their responsibilities. D. They have no influence on the engineering profession. Answer:  Questions Why have ethics offices been established in major corporations? A. To increase corporate profits B. To address engineering challenges C. To provide a platform for employees to voice concerns D. To retaliate against employees Answer:  Questions What is the aim of ethics offices within corporations? A. To discourage ethical considerations B. To create a hostile work environment C. To cultivate an ethical culture and prevent ethical issues D. To minimize employee concerns Answer:  Questions What is the overarching goal encapsulated by the term "moral autonomy"? A. To restrict critical thinking about moral issues B. To emphasize dependence on external guidance C. To empower independent and critical moral reasoning D. To avoid thinking critically about ethical problems Answer:  Questions What is identified as one source of ethical issues in engineering? A. Excessive information B. Lack of creativity C. A surplus of knowledge D. Lack of knowledge Answer:  Questions In which phase of engineering practice is a lack of knowledge frequently encountered? A. Testing and validation B. Administrative tasks C. Creative process of designing new devices and products D. Routine maintenance Answer:  Questions What is the distinction emphasized in the realm of engineering ethics? A. Between personal ethics and professional ethics B. Between business ethics and corporate ethics C. Between individual and group ethics D. Between technical and non-technical ethics Answer:  Questions What does personal ethics primarily deal with? A. Organizational decision-making B. How individuals treat others in daily life C. Complex relationships between corporations D. Technical aspects of engineering Answer:  Questions Why are many principles of personal ethics relevant to business and engineering? A. Because personal ethics excludes business and engineering contexts B. Because business and engineering have no ethical considerations C. Because personal ethics and business ethics are entirely separate D.Because how individuals treat others can influence ethical situations in business and engineering Answer:  Questions What distinguishes professional ethics from personal ethics? A. The absence of organizational decisions B. The involvement of complex relationships C. The exclusion of corporations D. The focus on daily life interactions Answer:  Questions Why do problems in professional ethics seem different from personal ethics? A. Due to a lack of relevance to corporations B.Because they involve relationships between organizations and government C. Because they are simpler to resolve D. Because they only concern technical aspects of engineering Answer:  Questions Where do the origins of the ethical philosophies discussed in the book trace back to? A. Eastern ethical thought B. Renaissance philosophy C. Ancient Greek philosophy D. Modern Western thought Answer:  Questions What is a noteworthy point about non-Western cultures in relation to ethical principles? A. They have rejected ethical principles. B.They have independently developed similar ethical principles. C. They solely rely on Western ethical philosophies. D. They are not influenced by ethical considerations. Answer:  Questions What is highlighted about personal ethics in relation to religious beliefs? A. Personal ethics are exclusively tied to religion. B. Religious beliefs have no influence on personal ethics. C. Personal ethics are irrelevant to religious beliefs. D.Personal ethics for many individuals are rooted in religious beliefs. Answer: