Engineering Ethics: Theories, Evolution & Professional Codes
Engineering Ethics: Evolution and Theories
Evolution of Ethics
- Early Ethics: Rooted in religion and divine commands (e.g., Ten Commandments).
- Philosophical Ethics: Shift to reason and rationality in ancient Greek philosophy (e.g., Aristotle’s virtue ethics, Plato’s theory of the ideal state).
- Modern Ethics: Emergence of autonomous ethics in the Enlightenment (e.g., Kant’s deontological ethics).
- Postmodern Ethics: Ethics become relativized, where moral values depend on culture, context, and individual perspectives (e.g., Foucault’s critique of universal ethics).
The Engineer’s Role
- Historically: Engineers initially aligned with guilds, focusing on craftsmanship.
- Industrial Revolution: Shift to technical expertise, increasing importance of safety, standards, and professional responsibility.
- Modern Era: Engineers became central to public welfare, with codes of ethics emphasizing safety, integrity, and societal responsibility.
Ethical Theories
- Virtue Ethics: Focuses on the character of the individual, cultivating virtues like honesty, integrity, and courage.
- Utilitarianism: Ethical decisions should maximize overall happiness or minimize suffering (e.g., greatest good for the greatest number).
- Deontological Ethics: Focuses on duties and principles, regardless of outcomes (e.g., Kant’s categorical imperative).
- Ethical Relativism: Ethics are culturally dependent; what is right in one society may not be right in another.
- Virtue Ethics in Engineering: Engineers should cultivate virtues such as diligence, responsibility, and honesty, which align with professional codes.
Ethical and Professional Codes for Engineers
Purpose of Ethical Codes
- Guidance: Help professionals make ethical decisions in ambiguous or complex situations.
- Trust: Ensure public trust by guaranteeing that professionals act in the best interests of society.
- Accountability: Provide mechanisms to hold professionals accountable for unethical behavior.
Target Audience for Codes
- Professionals: To guide their behavior and ensure they act in line with ethical standards.
- Organizations: To set the standard for ethical practice and establish an ethical culture.
- Public: To ensure that the public can trust professionals to act with integrity and competence.
Elements of Workable Ethical Codes
- Clarity: Clear and understandable language to guide decision-making.
- Specificity: Address key ethical dilemmas commonly faced in the profession.
- Enforceability: Mechanisms for monitoring adherence and penalizing violations.
- Inclusivity: Reflect diverse cultural and professional contexts.
- Flexibility: Adapt to changing societal norms and technological advancements.
Profession and Professional Codes Defined
Defining a Profession
- Specialized Knowledge: Advanced education and expertise.
- Autonomy: Professionals make independent judgments.
- Service Orientation: Commitment to the public good.
Professional Codes
- Define the values and standards professionals must uphold.
- Include commitments to public welfare, honesty, competence, and respect for others.
Importance of Professional Codes
- Standardization: Creates uniform expectations across the profession.
- Dispute Resolution: Offers a framework for resolving ethical dilemmas.
- Professional Growth: Encourages continuous ethical reflection and improvement.
- Reinforcing Accountability: Encourages professionals to act with integrity and resist external pressures to compromise on ethics.
Key Engineering Ethics Codes Summarized
NSPE Code of Ethics
Focuses on public safety, honesty, integrity, and transparency. Engineers must prioritize the welfare of society above all.
IEEE Code of Ethics
Emphasizes ethical conduct in engineering, including responsibilities to the profession and the community.
ACM Code of Ethics
Addresses issues like privacy, transparency, and avoiding harm in computing.