“Thinking Like an Engineer: The Place of a Code of Ethics in the Practice of a Profession”

Michael Davis Article PowerPoint Lecture Prepared by Christy Moore

The Challenger disaster is the foundation of the discussion.

(Davis, 1991), (www.ccastronomy.org/ high_flight.htm)

The Challenger disaster is the foundation of the discussion.

• Robert Lund Morton Thiokol) (VP for Engineering at – Recommends against the launch – Because of faulty O-rings • Jerald Mason (Lund’s boss) – Asks him to reconsider – Asks him to think like a manager, not an engineer (Davis, 1991), image: (www.enforcer31.com/ wanted1.htm)

Lund changes his recommendation (Davis, 1991), (www.aerospaceweb.org/. ../q0122.shtml

The shuttle crashes seconds after take-off (Davis, 1991), (www.space shuttle.com/ challeng.htm)

Challenger Astronauts lost during the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster on January 28, 1986 (Top Row, L to R: Ellison Onizuka, Teacher in Space Christa McAuliffe, Gregory Jarvis, Judy Resnick. Bottom Row, L to R: Pilot Michael Smith, Cmdr. Dick Scobee, Ron McNair) (Davis, 1991), image (grin.hq.nasa.gov/ BROWSE/JSC_13.html)

Davis asks us to consider several questions.

1.

What’s the difference between thinking like a manager and thinking like an engineer? 2. Why do we have codes of ethics?

3.

4.

Why obey one’s code of ethics?

Why isn’t conscience enough?

What does Davis say?

Other ideas?

(Davis, 1991)

What’s the difference in thinking like a manager and thinking like an engineer?

hilton.org.uk/ obc.phtml?c=hostels

www.narowing.org/ photoalbum/Speakmon2003.htm

(Davis, 1991)

What’s the difference in thinking like a manager and thinking like an engineer?

“Managers, it might be said, are trained to handle people; engineers, to handle things. To think like a manager rather than an engineer is to focus on people rather than on things.” (Davis, 1991)

What is “thinking like an engineer”?

“to use one’s technical knowledge of things” Asking Lund to think like a manager was asking him to ignore his technical knowledge.

(Davis, 1991)

Why do we have codes of ethics?

• “a convention between professionals” • “a guide to what engineers may reasonably expect of one another” • “a guide to what engineers may expect other members of to profession to help each other do” (Davis, 1991)

Why obey one’s code?

• Protects professionals from certain pressures – Such as cutting corners – By making it more likely that good conduct will not be punished • Protects professionals from certain consequences of competition • Legitimizes the profession (Davis, 1991)

National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE) Code of Ethics . 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.

(More extensive Rules of Practice follow in the Code) http://www.nspe.org/ethics/eh1-code.asp

(Davis, 1991)

ABET Code of Ethics of Engineers

The Fundamental Canons

1. Engineers shall hold paramount the safety, health, and welfare of the public in the performance of their professional duties. 2. Engineers shall perform services only in the areas of their competence. 3. Engineers shall issue public statements only in an objective and truthful manner. 4. Engineers shall act in professional matters for each employer or client as faithful agents or trustees, and shall avoid conflicts of interest. 5. Engineers shall build their professional reputation on the merit of their services and shall not compete unfairly with others. 6. Engineers shall act in such a manner as to uphold and enhance the honor, integrity, and dignity of the profession. 7. Engineers shall continue their professional development throughout their careers and shall provide opportunities for the professional development of those engineers under their supervision .

What is the paramountcy principle?

NSPE Code of Ethics Engineers, in the fulfillment of their professional duties, shall: 1. Hold paramount the the public.

safety, health and welfare of ABET Code of Ethics for Engineers 1. Engineers shall hold paramount the safety, health and welfare of the public in the performance of their professional duties.

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Professional Codes of Ethics

•

National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE)

•

Biomedical Engineering Society (BMES)

•

Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE)

•

American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME)

(Davis, 1991)

Why isn’t conscience enough?

• What would it be like to be an engineer if “engineers did not generally hold paramount the safety, health, and welfare of the public”?

• What if the client or employer would benefit from ignoring the code?

• What are some situations in which the engineer’s interests as an engineer conflict with his/her interests as a person?

(Davis, 1991)

What if Lund had insisted on cancelling the launch?

• Would he have been a hero?

• What would have been the repercussions of his decision?

(Davis, 1991)

Do engineers’ professional responsibilities go beyond the code?

Davis says “Yes.” In addition to following the code themselves, “[e]ngineers should [encourage] others to do as [the code] requires and by criticizing, ostracizing, or otherwise calling to account those who do not.” (Davis, 1991)

Additional comments?

(Davis, 1991)

What is the moral principle of Davis’s argument?

Fairness • “Since Lund voluntarily accepts the benefits of being an engineer, he is morally obliged to follow the convention that helps to make those benefits possible.” (Davis, 1991)

What were Lund’s two ethical options?

• “To either refuse to authorize the launch” • “To insist that the astronauts be briefed in order to get their informed consent” (Davis, 1991)