Professional Ethics PDF

Professional Ethics Faculty of Law Ethics Introduction Ethics are moral principles that govern a person's behavior or the conducting of an activity. Engineering ethics is defined by the codes and standards of conduct endorsed by engineering (professional) societies with respect to th...

Professional Ethics Faculty of Law Ethics Introduction Ethics are moral principles that govern a person's behavior or the conducting of an activity. Engineering ethics is defined by the codes and standards of conduct endorsed by engineering (professional) societies with respect to the particular set of beliefs, attitudes and habits displayed by the individual or group. Ethics Introduction The scope of engineering ethics are two-fold: Ethics of the workplace which involves the co- workers and employees in an organization. Ethics related to the product or work which involves the transportation, warehousing, and use, besides the safety of the end product and the environment outside the factory. Ethics Introduction There are conventionally two approaches in the study of ethics: Micro-ethics which deals with decisions and problems of individuals, professionals, and companies. Macro-ethics which deals with the societal problems on a regional/national level. For example, global issues, collective responsibilities of groups such as professional. Ethics Introduction Moral Issues The reasons for people including the employer and employees, behaving unethically may be classified into three categories: 1. Resource crunch Due to pressure through time limits, availability of money or budgetary constraints, and technology decay or obsolescence. Pressure from the government to complete the project in time (e.g., before the elections). Ethics Introduction 2. Opportunity Double standards or behavior of the employers towards the employees and the public. Management projecting their own interests more than that of their employees. 3. Attitude Poor attitude of the employees set in due to the following reasons a) Low morale of the employees because of dissatisfaction and downsizing b) Absence of grievance redressal mechanism Ethics Introduction c) Lack of promotion or career development policies or denied promotions, d) Lack of transparency e) Absence of recognition and reward system, and f) Poor working environments Ethics Introduction Moral Autonomy Moral autonomy is defined as, decisions and actions exercised on the basis of moral concern for other people and recognition of good moral reasons. Alternatively, moral autonomy means ‘self determinant’ or ‘independent’. The autonomous people hold moral beliefs and attitudes based on their critical reflection rather than on passive adoption of the conventions of the society or profession. Ethics Introduction Skills related to moral autonomy 1. Proficiency in recognizing moral problems in engineering and ability to distinguish problems in law, economics, and religion. 2. Skill in comprehending, clarifying, and critically- assessing arguments on different aspects of moral issues. 3. Ability to form consistent and comprehensive view points based on facts. 4. Awareness of alternate responses to the issues and creative solutions. Ethics Introduction 5. Awareness of alternate responses to the issues and creative solutions. 6. Sensitivity to genuine difficulties and subtleties, including willingness to undergo and tolerate some uncertainty while making decisions. 7. Using rational dialogue in resolving moral conflicts and developing tolerance of different perspectives among people. 8. Maintaining moral integrity. Ethics Introduction Self Control: It is a virtue of maintaining personal discipline. It means a strong will and motivation and avoidance of fear, hatred, lack of efforts, temptation, self-deception, and emotional response. It encompasses courage and good judgment also. Self- respect promotes self-control. Self Interest: Self-interest is being good and acceptable to oneself. It is pursuing what is good for oneself. It is very ethical to possess self-interest. Ethics Introduction Self Respect: It is defined as valuing oneself in morally suitable ways. Self-respect includes: recognition, which means respect to others, their ideas, decisions, ability, and rights and appraisal, which means properly valuing ourselves as to how well we face moral standards. An intensive but balanced feeling of self-respect is sense of honor.  Ethics Introduction Characteristics of profession/professionalism 1. Extensive Training Entry into the profession requires an extensive period of training of intellectual (competence) and moral (integrity) character. 2. Knowledge and Skills Knowledge and skills (competence) are necessary for the well-being of the society. For example, Knowledge of physicians protects us from disease and restores health. Ethics Introduction 3. Monopoly : The monopoly control is achieved in two ways: (a)the profession convinces the community that only those who have graduated from the professional school should be allowed to hold the professional title. (b) By persuading the community to have a licensing system for those who want to enter the profession. Practicing without license is made illegal Ethics Introduction 4. Autonomy in Workplace: Professionals have considerable freedom in choosing their clients. Even the professionals working in large organizations exercise a large degree of discretion in carrying their responsibilities. 5. Ethical Standards : Professional societies promulgate the codes of conduct to regulate the professionals against their abuse or any unethical decisions. Ethical Issues in Engineering Practice Globalization Globalization means integration of countries through commerce, transfer of technology, and exchange of information and culture. For the engineers, the issues such as waste disposal, e-waste, computer ethics and environmental ethics have assumed greater importance for their very sustenance and progress. Ethical Issues in Engineering Practice Standards Common minimal rights are to be followed to smoothen the transactions when the engineers and employers. At international level, the organizations are expected to adopt the minimum levels of (a) values, such as mutual support, loyalty, and reciprocity, (b) the negative duty of refraining from harmful actions such as violence and fraud, and (c) basic fairness and justice in case of conflicts. Ethical Issues in Engineering Practice Environmental Ethics Is the study of moral issues concerning the environment, and moral perspectives, beliefs, or attitudes concerning those issues. Environmental ethics is concerned with the following issues: 1. Ensure protection (safety) of environment, 2. Prevent the degradation of environment, and 3. Slow down the exploitation of the natural resources, so that the future generation can survive. Safety Responsibilities of Engineers  Bootlegging: This refers to manufacturing, selling or transporting products (liquor or narcotics) that are prohibited by law. In engineering context, it refers to working on projects which are prohibited or not properly authorized  Occupational Hazards: Industries that expose their employees to hazards usually escape penalties. Victims have the right to sue and claim monetary compensation. Even 22 years after Bhopal Gas Tragedy, appropriate compensation has not been paid.  Moonlighting: It is a situation when a person is working as employee for two different companies in the spare time. It will lead to conflict of interests, if the person works for competitors, suppliers or customers, while working under an