Transcript ethics

Ethics, Professionalism
and Engineering
A Brief Introduction to
Ethics and Ethical Behavior in the
Engineering and Computer Science
Professions
1
Ethics, Professionalism and Engineering
People Generally Think of Engineering
and Computer Scientists as Ethical
Professions
and that
We Act in an Ethical Manner
Society Expects Us to Act and Make
Decisions in a Way to Protect the Public
2
Ethics, Professionalism and Engineering
So, If:
• We are to be Professionals
• We are to be Ethical
• We are to Protect Society
Then We Should be able to:
• Define Profession, Professional and
Professionalism
• Define Ethics and Ethical Codes
• Relate Our Professional Actions to Our Ethical
Responsibilities to Society
3
Ethics, Professionalism and Engineering
What is a Profession? What do you think?
• 1) An occupation or vocation requiring
advanced study in a specialized field. 2) The
body of qualified persons of one specific field.
American Heritage Dictionary
• Term comes from Latin professio meaning to
confess or declare.
Professionals declare themselves to the
public as experts in a field of study, such as
law, medicine, accounting, computer
4
science and engineering
Ethics, Professionalism and Engineering
Engineers and other Professionals have:
• a special responsibility to the public
• to use their skills and knowledge
• to insure safety and increase the public “good”.
Professionalism is the performance of that
responsibility in a manner that the public can trust and
rely on.
5
Ethics, Professionalism and Engineering
What are Ethics? What do you think?
• The study of the general nature of morals and
the specific moral choices to be made by the
individual in his relationship with others; i.e.,
the philosophy of morals.
• The rules or standards governing the conduct of
members of a profession.
• Any set of moral principles or values.
• The moral quality of a course of action.
6
Ethics, Professionalism and Engineering
Then, What are Morals? What do you think?
• Of or concerned with the judgement of the goodness or badness
of human action and character; pertaining to the discernment of
good and evil.
• Designed to teach goodness or correctness of character and
behavior. Instructive of good and bad.
• Being or acting in accordance with standards and precepts of
goodness or with established codes of behavior.
• Rules of conduct…. with reference to standards of right or wrong.
Who Makes Those Rules?
Society
7
Ethics, Professionalism and Engineering
So
Professionals
Use Ethics to Define
How To Protect
The Public
Good
8
Ethics, Professionalism and Engineering
Ethical Philosophers Describe Three
Basic Doctrines of Ethics:
• Objective Ethics
• Subjective Ethics
• Imperative Ethics
9
Ethics, Professionalism and Engineering
Objective Ethics (or Absolute Ethics)
- The “Eternal Truths”
- The “Shalts” and “Shalt Nots”
- The Moral Principles that are
“Self-Evident” and “Invariant”
Thou Shalt Not Kill
Thou Shalt Not Steal
True in Most Societies
10
Ethics, Professionalism and Engineering
Subjective Ethics
• The Ethics of the Individual
• The “Instinctive Knowledge of what Constitutes Ethical
Behavior” without the Rules
• The Ethics of the Situation or “Situational Ethics”
- Doing What is Right Here and Now
- The Action may be different in a different Time and Place,
i.e., a Different Situation
• May Include Civil Disobedience
- Running a Red Light when A Runaway Truck may hit you.
- The “Sit-Ins” for Racial Equality
- Breaking the Law for the Greater Good
11
Ethics, Professionalism and Engineering
Imperative Ethics (or Legalism)
• Society’s Definitions of Good and Bad
• The Systems of Laws
• The type of Behavior adhered to because
•
“human beings want these rules and want
other persons to follow these same rules”
(Hans Reichenbach)
12
Ethics, Professionalism and Engineering
Canon of Ethics
• A Statement of Ethical Beliefs and Behaviors agreed
to by a Body of People.
• Guides against which Ethical Behavior will be
judged.
• Guides against which a person can make ethical
decisions.
13
Ethics, Professionalism and Engineering
Code of Ethics for Engineers
Each of the Engineering Societies have developed Codes of Ethics. Most of
these are based on a model code developed by the Engineering Council for
Professional Development (ECPD) in 1947.
Code of Ethics for Association for
Computing Machinery
ACM developed a Code of Ethics in 1992. The Code states:
“Commitment to ethical professional conduct is expected of every member
(voting members, associate members, and student members) of the Association
for Computing Machinery (ACM).”
Both the NSPE and the ACM Codes of Ethics are at the end of this section
14
Ethics, Professionalism and Engineering
Code of Ethics for Engineers
We will look at the Code of Ethics developed by the National
Society of Professional Engineers as an example. It has four
parts:
Preamble
I.
The Fundamental Canons
II. The Rules of Practice , and
III. Professional Obligations
(http://www.nspe.org/Ethics/CodeofEthics/index.html)
15
Ethics, Professionalism and Engineering
NSPE Code of Ethics for Engineers
Preamble
Engineering is an important and learned profession. As
members of this profession, engineers are expected to
exhibit the highest standards of honesty and integrity.
Engineering has a direct and vital impact on the quality of life
for all people. Accordingly, the services provided by
engineers require honesty, impartiality, fairness, and equity,
and must be dedicated to the protection of the public health,
safety, and welfare. Engineers must perform under a
standard of professional behavior that requires adherence to
the highest principles of ethical conduct.
16
Ethics, Professionalism and Engineering
NSPE Code of Ethics for Engineers
I. Fundamental Canons
Engineers, in the fulfillment of their professional duties, shall:
1. Hold paramount the safety, health and welfare of the public.
2. Perform services only in areas of their competence.
3. Issue public statements only in an objective and truthful
manner.
4. Act for each employer or client as faithful agents or trustees.
5. Avoid deceptive acts.
6. Conduct themselves honorably, responsibly, ethically, and
lawfully so as to enhance the honor, reputation, and usefulness of
the profession.
17
Ethics, Professionalism and Engineering
NSPE Code of Ethics for Engineers
II. Rules of Practice
1. Engineers shall hold paramount the safety, health, and welfare of the public. (Canon 1)
a. If engineers' judgment is overruled under circumstances that endanger life or property,
they shall notify their employer or client and such other authority as may be appropriate.
b. Engineers shall approve only those engineering documents that are in conformity with
applicable standards.
c. Engineers shall not reveal facts, data, or information without the prior consent of the
client or employer except as authorized or required by law or this Code.
d. Engineers shall not permit the use of their name or associate in business ventures with
any person or firm that they believe are engaged in fraudulent or dishonest enterprise.
e. Engineers shall not aid or abet the unlawful practice of engineering by a person or firm.
f. Engineers having knowledge of any alleged violation of this Code shall report thereon to
appropriate professional bodies and, when relevant, also to public authorities, and
cooperate with the proper authorities in furnishing such information or assistance as may
be required.
(Similar Rules Are Associated with the other Fundamental Canons)
18
Ethics, Professionalism and Engineering
Code of Ethics
Case Studies
1. Split into four groups and each group review one of the
cases.
2. Select the Canon that you believe to be most appropriate
for the question(s) asked.
3. Then find the corresponding “Rule of Practice” and read
the clauses.
4. Be ready to briefly describe the case and what “Rules”
you believe are significant.
5. These examples are from the NSPE Magazine.
19
Case Study #1
FACTS:
B. Wright is hired to investigate a former dump site to form a wetlands and
city park. City indicates there could be some problems with hazardous
wastes. As part of the contract, the city imposes a confidentiality clause.
Wright finds the dump not closed according to regulation and is potentially
hazardous, but contract prevents disclosure. The city terminates the
contract and plans to move the wetlands and park without remediating the
site.
QUESTIONS:
Question 1: Is B. Wright bound by the NSPE Code of Ethics to inform the
appropriate regulatory agencies of his findings and the potential dangers to
the public health and the environment?
Question 2: Did B. Wright behave ethically in signing the confidentiality
clause restricting him from revealing information concerning dangers to
the public health and the environment, after being informed by the city that
there was a possibility that the site could contain hazardous and toxic
wastes?
20
Case Study #1
REFERENCES (NSPE Code of Ethics):
I.1. - Code of Ethics: Hold paramount the safety, health and welfare of the
public.
II.1. - Code of Ethics: Engineers shall hold paramount the safety, health and
welfare of the public.
II.1.a. - Code of Ethics: If engineers’ judgment is overruled under
circumstances that endanger life or property, they shall notify their employer
or client and such other authority as may be appropriate.
II.1.b. - Code of Ethics: Engineers shall approve only those engineering
documents which are in conformity with applicable standards.
II.1.c. - Code of Ethics: Engineers shall not reveal facts, data or information
without the prior consent of the client or employer except as authorized or
required by law or this Code.
III.4. - Code of Ethics: Engineers shall not disclose, without consent,
confidential information concerning the business affairs or technical processes
of any present or former client or employer, or public body on which they
21
serve.
Case Study #1
Discussion:
The responsibility of engineers for the protection of the public health
and safety is generally considered the most fundamental ethical
principal related to the practice of engineering.
CONCLUSIONS:
Question 1: B. Wright is bound by the NSPE Code of Ethics to
inform the appropriate regulatory agencies of the engineer’s
findings and the potential dangers to the public health and the
environment.
Question 2: B. Wright was not ethical in signing the
confidentiality clause, restricting him from revealing information
concerning dangers to the public health and the environment, after
being informed by the city that there was a possibility that the site
could contain hazardous and toxic wastes.
22
Case Study #2
FACTS:
Engineer A is involved with Buildings and
Grounds at an Army base. He has been asked to
certify that certain storage rooms and arms storage
racks are in compliance with extensive Army
regulations.
Question:
Would it be appropriate for Engineer A to certify
as a qualified engineer the arms storage rooms and
storage racks as requested by the Army?
23
Case Study #2
References:
Section II.1.
Code of Ethics:
Engineers
shall hold paramount the safety, health and welfare of the
public.
Section II.2.a.
Code of Ethics:
Engineers
shall undertake assignments only when qualified by
education or experience in the specific technical fields
involved.
Section II.2.b.
Code of Ethics:
Engineers
shall not affix their signatures to any plans or documents
dealing with subject matter in which they lack competence,
nor to any plan or document not prepared under their
direction and control.
24
Case Study #2
Discussion:
1) “… Licensed engineers must make all efforts to
perform professional services solely within their area of
competence and not be unduly influenced either by
employer or by client pressures that could cause grave
danger to the public health and safety.”
2) ”… even if Engineer A had the ethical competency to
perform the services required, it would not have been
ethically proper for Engineer A to “certify” compliance
with the military regulations as requested. “
Conclusion:
It would not be ethical for Engineer A to certify as a
qualified engineer the arms storage rooms and arms
25
storage racks as requested by the Army official.
Case Study #3
FACTS:
A structural engineer is hired by a newspaper to visit a
bridge site which has had a series of serious delays and
cost increases. The engineer performs a one-day visual
inspection. She reports some potential problems and
proposes some additional testing. The paper writes a series
of articles alleging major safety problems which will delay
the bridge opening. She responds that her report was not
specific and discussed only potential problems with the
bridge.
Question:
Was it ethical for Ms. Goode to agree to perform an
investigation for the newspaper in the manner stated?
26
Case Study #3
References:
Code of Ethics Section II.3.a. "Engineers shall be objective and
truthful in professional reports, statements or testimony. They shall
include all relevant and pertinent information in such reports,
statements or testimony."
Section II.3.b. "Engineers may express publicly a professional opinion
on technical subjects only when that opinion is founded upon
adequate knowledge of the facts and competence in the subject
matter."
Section II.3.c. "Engineers shall issue no statements, criticisms or
arguments on technical matters which are inspired or paid for by
interested parties, unless they have prefaced their comments by
explicitly identifying the interested parties on whose behalf they are
speaking, and by revealing the existence of any interest the engineers
may have in the matters."
27
Case Study #3
Discussion:
Engineers should “become active and involved in matters
concerning the well-being of the public. Moreover, the NSPE
Code of Ethics makes clear that engineers should "seek
opportunities to be of constructive service in civic affairs and
work for the advancement of the safety, health and well-being of
their community." (Section III.2.a.) “
“…the engineer has an obligation to the public as well as to the
profession to protect the integrity of her professional opinions and
the manner in which those opinions are disseminated to the
public.”
Conclusion:
It was not unethical for Engineer A to agree to perform an
investigation for the newspaper in the manner stated but Engineer
A has an obligation to require the newspaper to state in the article
that Engineer A had been retained for a fee by the newspaper to
provide her professional opinion concerning the safety of the
bridge.
28
Case Study #4
FACTS:
Engineer LeVard performs a traffic study for a
client (HighYield Enterprises) and charges the
client for a complete study. Later, the client learns
that part of the work had been performed for
another client which had already been billed for
the work.
Question:
Was it ethical for LeVard to charge HighYield for
the complete traffic study?
29
Case Study #4
Discussion:
This case relates to the direct obligations of truth and honesty that
all engineers owe to their clients in the performance of their
services. Under the facts presented in the case, LeVard was
performing the same basic service for two separate clients and
billing HighYield for data that LeVard had already developed and
billed ProfitTech. LeVard's intellectual property, expertise,
knowledge, and professional judgment are contained in the report,
and LeVard had the ethical right to be fully compensated for such
services. However, it would have been appropriate for LeVard to
inform HighYield that a similar study had been done for another
client.
Conclusion:
It was ethical for LeVard to charge HighYield for a complete traffic
study. It was unethical for LeVard not to disclose the use of
propriety data developed for another client.
30