Introduction to

Engineering Ethics
The study of the moral issues and
decisions confronting individuals and
organizations engaged in engineering
field.
The study of related issues about the
moral ideals, characters, policies and
relationships of people and corporations
involved in technological activity.
It not only emphasis how engineers
should conduct themselves it also
encompasses how the engineers aught to
behave in their professional work

Definition
EE may be defined as the identification,
study and resolution of ethical problems
occurring in the practice of engineering
profession
The concept of EE is not applicable only
for engineers. It Can also be applied to
others who engage in any technological
enterprises, such as scientists,
technicians, production staff, supervisors,
doctors, lawyers and the general public
EE is the part of Professional Ethics
EE - Aims
Stimulating the moral imagination
Recognizing ethical issues
Developing analytical skills
Drawing out a sense of responsibility
Addressing ambiguity, uncertainty
and disagreement.
Approaches to EE
Micro ethics
addresses typical, everyday problems
faced by the engineers in professional
life that affects their professional and
personal life
Macro ethics
deals with all societal problems that
engineers encounters during their
career

Moral issues in Engineering
Moral issues in Engineering
Organization oriented issues
Claims or customers oriented issues
Competitors oriented issues
Law, government and public agencies
oriented issues
Professional societies oriented issues
Social and environmental oriented issues
Family oriented issues
Three types of inquiry in engineering
Ethics
Normative inquiry
More central, seek to identify the values
that should guide individuals and groups.
Conceptual inquiry
Seek to clarify important concepts and
ideas.
Factual inquiry
Seek to provide facts needed for
understanding resolving value issues
Moral Dilemmas
are situations in which two or more
moral obligations, duties, rights, goods
or ideals coming into conflict with one
another and it appears that not all of
them can be fully respected.

Causes
Three sorts of complexity involved in
moral situations
Vagueness
Conflicting reasons
Problem of disagreement.

Steps in Confronting Moral Dilemmas
Identify the relevant moral factors and reasons.
Gather all available facts pertinent to the moral
factors involved.
Rank the moral consideration in order of
importance.
Consider alternative courses of action.
Talk with colleagues and seeking their
suggestions.
Arrive at a carefully reasoned judgement.

Why Study Engineering Ethics?
moral autonomy:

Ability to think critically and independently
about moral issues

Ability to apply this moral thinking to
situations that arise in the course of
professional engineering practice

Ethical problems in engineering are often
complex and involve conflicting ethical
principles. Engineers must be able to
intelligently resolve these conflicts and
reach a defensible decision.

Personal versus
Business/Professional Ethics
Personal Ethics: Deals with how we treat
others in our day-to-day lives
Business/Professional Ethics:
Involves choices regarding relationships
between organizations and other
organizations, government, and groups of
individuals
The complexity of these relationships often
pose dilemmas not encountered in personal
ethics
Ethics Equation
Quality products
Conservation of
resources
Pride in work
Public safety
Timeliness
DEVELOPMENT
Shoddy products
Waste, fraud, greed
Abuse of expertise
Guilt, fear
Lack of safety
Cutting corners
poor design
rushed testing
DISASTERS
ETHICAL BEHAVIOR UNETHICAL BEHAVIOR
Ethical Issues Faced by
Engineers
Public Safety
Bribery and Fraud
Environmental Protection
Fairness
Honesty in Research and Testing
Conflicts of Interest