Course Code CENG 291 Moral Reasoning and Codes

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Course Code: CENG 291 Moral Reasoning and Codes of Ethics in Engineering Dr. Emmanuel

Course Code: CENG 291 Moral Reasoning and Codes of Ethics in Engineering Dr. Emmanuel Kwesi Arthur Department of Materials Engineering, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana Email: ekarthur 2005@yahoo. com Phone #: +233541710532 1 © 2017

The learning objectives are: (a) Introduction to ethical concepts, ethics in engineering (b) Differentiate

The learning objectives are: (a) Introduction to ethical concepts, ethics in engineering (b) Differentiate between Ethics/ Morality/Laws (c) Introduction to ethical reasoning (d) Understanding the consequences and effects of unethical behavior on the individual and society (e) Implementation of ethical principles to other engineering subjects, as well as personal and professional lives. o Students will be examined on materials presented in lecture and other materials from other lecturers 2

Ethics Vocabulary Obligation Virtue Responsibility Professionalism Morals Character Courage Integrity Honesty Accountability Ideals Self-Respect

Ethics Vocabulary Obligation Virtue Responsibility Professionalism Morals Character Courage Integrity Honesty Accountability Ideals Self-Respect

Ethics, Morals, and the Law Classification of Actions: q. Morals Unethical q. Principles of

Ethics, Morals, and the Law Classification of Actions: q. Morals Unethical q. Principles of right and wrong q. Ethics Ethical q. A set of moral principles guiding behavior and action Legal q. Laws q. Binding codes of conduct; formally recognized and enforced Unethical q. Company Policies Legal q. University policies Ex. At the Illegal Unethical and Illegal Ex. innocent person being killed. but precivil war in the US, Owning a slave. Ethical but legal Ex. Designing an Airplane to be safe. Ethical but Illegal Ex. In order to help an injured person, parking in a no parking zone

Ethics and Morality • Related to “right” and “wrong” conduct, • Often used interchangeably,

Ethics and Morality • Related to “right” and “wrong” conduct, • Often used interchangeably, NOT exactly the SAME

Ethics and Morality • Morality: • Refers to Moral Conduct defined by individuals in

Ethics and Morality • Morality: • Refers to Moral Conduct defined by individuals in relation to right or wrong conduct Moral Conduct =What ought or ought not to be done in a given situation? • Ethics: • Refers to the Formal Study of moral conducts (rules defined by an external source such as Codes of Conduct in a workplace) and often called Moral Philosophy

Morality • It comes from various sources such as: • Parents • Religion •

Morality • It comes from various sources such as: • Parents • Religion • Peers • Technology • Etc.

Morality Vs. Ethics 1. More general and prescriptive based on customs and traditions Ethics

Morality Vs. Ethics 1. More general and prescriptive based on customs and traditions Ethics 1. Specific and descriptive. It is a critical reflection on morals 2. More concerned with the results of wrong action, when done a right action, when not done 3. Trust is on judgment and 3. Thrust is on influence, education, punishment, in the name of od or by training through codes, guidelines laws. and correction. 4. In case of conflict between the two, morality is given top priority, because the damage is more. It is more common and basic 4. Less serious, hence second priority only. Less common. But relevant today, because of complex interactions in the modern society. 5. Example- Character flaw, corruption, extortion, and crime 5. Example- Notions or beliefs about manners, tastes, customs and towards laws.

Ethics vs. Laws • Differences between Ethics and Law Ethics Law 1. As a

Ethics vs. Laws • Differences between Ethics and Law Ethics Law 1. As a guideline to computer users 1. As a rule to control computer users 2. Computers users are free to follow 2. Computers users must follow the or ignore the code of ethics regulations and law 3. Universal, can be applied 3. Depend on country and state where anywhere, all over the world the crime is committed 4. To produce ethical computers users 4. To prevent misuse of computers 5. Not following ethics are called 5. Not obeying laws are called crime immoral

Personal Ethics - everyday examples q. Software piracy q. Expense account padding q. Copying

Personal Ethics - everyday examples q. Software piracy q. Expense account padding q. Copying of homework or tests q. Income taxes q“Borrowing” nuts and bolts, office supplies from employer q. Copying of Videos or CD’s q. Plagiarism q. Using the copy machine at work

Does Ethics Fits into Engineering? • What do Engineers do? “Build Products” • Such

Does Ethics Fits into Engineering? • What do Engineers do? “Build Products” • Such as cars, Airplanes, Bridges, Valves. • Engineers are building new technologies and hence advance the society “Develop Processes” • Such as process to extract aluminum from bauxite to make it to a usable product • Engineers changes how we live

Engineering and Ethics • Engineering responsibilities: A) Social responsibilities • Engineers build product and

Engineering and Ethics • Engineering responsibilities: A) Social responsibilities • Engineers build product and develop processes • Society will be impacted by such product and processes in various ways B) Professional Responsibilities • It is required by social responsibilities • Any individual professionally has duty and obligation to the society

What is Engineering Ethics • Engineering Ethics is an activity of • Understanding the

What is Engineering Ethics • Engineering Ethics is an activity of • Understanding the moral values that ought to guide the engineering profession • Resolve the moral issues in the profession • Justify the moral judgment concerning the profession. 13

What Could go wrong? • The bridge fails if proper materials are not used.

What Could go wrong? • The bridge fails if proper materials are not used. • The gas tank might explode from a small incident if it is positioned too close to the bumper. • Improper doses of medication can be produced If a medical instrument isn’t accurate. • Etc…

Ethics/Ethical Reasoning q. Engineers make decisions on daily basis q. Serious consequences on people

Ethics/Ethical Reasoning q. Engineers make decisions on daily basis q. Serious consequences on people resulting from engineer’s decisions q. What guide Decision Making for Engineers: q. Ethics and Ethical Reasoning

Moral Reasoning • “Engineering design is a good one” – Meets Specifications – Technical

Moral Reasoning • “Engineering design is a good one” – Meets Specifications – Technical Value – Specifications has moral content - Moral Reasons • Designed in such a way that a safe, reliable and environmental friendly product can be produced • Moral Reasons – Require us to respect other people as well as ourselves, to care for their good as well as their own Respecting persons by being fair and just with them, respecting their rights, keeping promises, avoiding unnecessary offense and pain to them, avoiding cheating and dishonesty 16

Ethics Questions • Top Ten Questions You Should Ask Yourself When Making an Ethical

Ethics Questions • Top Ten Questions You Should Ask Yourself When Making an Ethical Decision 10. Could the decision become habit forming? If so, don’t do it. 9. Is it legal? If it isn’t, don’t do it. 8. Is it safe? If it isn’t, don’t do it. 7. Is it the right thing to do? If it isn’t, don’t do it. 6. Will this stand the test of public scrutiny? If it won’t, don’t do it. 5. If something terrible happened, could I defend my actions? If you can’t, don’t do it.

Ethics Questions 4. Is it just, balanced, and fair? If it isn’t, don’t do

Ethics Questions 4. Is it just, balanced, and fair? If it isn’t, don’t do it. 3. How will it make me feel about myself? If it’s lousy, don’t do it. 2. Does this choice lead to the greatest good for the greatest number? If it doesn’t, don’t do it. And the #1 question you should ask yourself when making an ethical decision: 1. Would I do this in front of my mother? If you wouldn’t, don’t do it.

Engineering Disasters The primary causes of engineering disasters are usually considered to be •

Engineering Disasters The primary causes of engineering disasters are usually considered to be • Human factors (including both 'ethical' failure and accidents) • Design flaws (many of which are also the result of unethical practices) • Materials failures • Extreme conditions or environments (the most commonly and importantly)

Example: Failure Study q. It is evident that materials failure plays a major role

Example: Failure Study q. It is evident that materials failure plays a major role in engineering disasters. q. The accidents related to materials failure are not just random occurrences, instead resulting mostly from poor materials or metallurgical engineering decisions that are always preventable. “Ethical practices” are essential

Materials or Metallurgical Engineering vs. Ethics • Role of material or metallurgical engineer is

Materials or Metallurgical Engineering vs. Ethics • Role of material or metallurgical engineer is …. • Responding to a need by creating something along a certain set of guidelines (or specifications), which performs a given function. • Such creation should perform its function without fail. • The materials engineer must struggle to select materials in such a way as to avoid failure and, more importantly, the catastrophic failure that could result in the loss of property, damage to the environment of the user of that technology, and possible injury or loss of life.

Materials Engineering vs. Ethics Root cause of materials failure: • A deficiency in materials

Materials Engineering vs. Ethics Root cause of materials failure: • A deficiency in materials or metallurgical engineering ethics is found to be one of the root causes Materials or metallurgical engineer are responsible to q. Their client or employer q. Their profession q. General public

Who is the Ethical Materials or Metallurical Engineer? An ethical material or metallurical engineer

Who is the Ethical Materials or Metallurical Engineer? An ethical material or metallurical engineer is one who: • Fulfills the terms of their contracts or agreements in a thorough and professional manner • Promotes the education of young materials or metallurgical engineers within their field. Who is the Ethical Materials Engineer? • Avoids conflicts of interest, • Does not attempt to misrepresent their knowledge so as to accept jobs outside their area of expertise, acts in the best interests of society and the environment,

Codes of Engineering Ethics • Example • • Ghana institute of Engineers (Gh. IE)

Codes of Engineering Ethics • Example • • Ghana institute of Engineers (Gh. IE) Code of Ethics Institute of Industrial Engineers (IIE) Code of Ethics ASME Code of Ethics of Engineers National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE) Code of Ethics For • Engineers • others

Typical Engineering Ethics Code Principles ● Truth, honesty, trustworthiness ● Respect for human life,

Typical Engineering Ethics Code Principles ● Truth, honesty, trustworthiness ● Respect for human life, welfare ● Fair play (justice) ● Openness ● Competence ● Community ● Respect for environment ● Respect for democratic process

Application of Ethics Codes ● Can't tell what to do in specific situations. •

Application of Ethics Codes ● Can't tell what to do in specific situations. • Even if the engineer chooses not to follow the ethical course, a wareness helps because ● admission helps preserve personal integrity. ● in the long run, ethical behavior may prevail.

Limitations to Ethics Codes • ● Vague, general language. • ● Conflicting principles. •

Limitations to Ethics Codes • ● Vague, general language. • ● Conflicting principles. • ● Unclear priorities. • ● Cannot serve as final moral authority.

Rationale for Engineering Ethics Codes • ● Inspiration and guidance. • ● Support •

Rationale for Engineering Ethics Codes • ● Inspiration and guidance. • ● Support • ● Deterrence & discipline • ● Education and understanding • ● Notice to others • ● Protection of the status quo • ● Promotion of business interests (? )

Term Project q. Pick an example of a materials engineering failure or disaster of

Term Project q. Pick an example of a materials engineering failure or disaster of some type (i. e. space shuttle(s), nuclear plant failure, plane crashes, building collapse), preferably occurred in the last ten years q. Describe the practice in the questionable case study in details q. Discuss what ethical issues might have been at least partly responsible for the failure. In other words, create a failure analysis report for the incident that includes: “What has/have failed / Why failed /Possible corrective actions (How to make it not fail) / Who was at fault, and why”

References q. A. Engineering Ethics. By Davis, publisher: Ashgate Publishing Co. , 2005. q.

References q. A. Engineering Ethics. By Davis, publisher: Ashgate Publishing Co. , 2005. q. B. "To Engineer is Human: The Role of Failure in Successful Design” by Henry Petroski, Publisher: Vintage Books, 1992, q. C. "When Technology Fails" by Neil Schlager, publisher: Cengage Gale, 1994 q. D. “Engineering Ethics: Balancing Cost, Schedule, and Risk - Lessons Learned from the Space Shuttle” Pinkus, R. L. B, publisher: Cambridge University Press, 1997