Engineering Ethics An Introduction to Ethics and its

Engineering Ethics An Introduction to Ethics and its Relevance to the Profession of Engineering Module 0 in the “Teaching Engineering Ethics” Series

Outline of Material n What are ethics and morals? n n n Ethical theories Professional Ethics What is the engineering profession? n What is an engineer n n n The social impact of engineering n n n Serving the public needs The double-edged sword of engineering Professional Licensing n n n How we see ourselves How the public views us The process: education, examination, experience What the stamp and signature means… Engineering ethics

Herbert Hoover (on engineering) n “The great liability of the engineer compared to men of other professions is that his works are out in the open where all can see them. His acts, step by step, are in hard substance. He cannot bury his mistakes in the grave like the doctors. He cannot argue them into thin air or blame the judge like the lawyers…. He cannot, like the politician, screen his shortcomings by blaming his opponents and hope that the people will forget. The engineer simply cannot deny that he did it. If his works do not work, he is damned forever. ”

Engineering (past and present) n Past n n The independent craftsman and consultant Individualism and accountability The personally identifiable engineer Present n n Engineer is now less visible to the public Technology is the domain of the “corporation” Anonymity of the Engineer Focused on serving the organization rather than the public

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

Ethics, Morals, and the Law n Morals n n Unethical Ethics n n Principles of right and wrong Classification of Actions: A set of moral principles guiding behavior and action Legal Illegal Laws n n Binding codes of conduct; formally recognized and enforced Company Policies Unethical but Legal Ethical but Illegal

Ethical Theories: Kohlberg n Lawrence Kohlberg’s theory of moral reasoning development n n n Built on Jean Piaget’s theory of developmental stages A transitional development process occurring through maturation from childhood to adulthood. Six (6) stages across three (3) levels Moral reasoning is not learned but constructed through interaction with society and environment Environmental factors may affect the speed of development, but not the direction. Stages cannot be skipped

Level 1: Pre-conventional n Driving mechanisms: n n Egocentrism Personal Interests (seek reward and avoid punishment) Interpersonal and societal roles are not conceptualized Also labeled “Pre-Moral” Level. Kohlberg considered those in this level as not yet exhibiting a philosophical “moral” foundation.

Level 1: Pre-conventional n Stage 1: Obedience n Consequences of action determine future behavior n n n Actions rewarded are “right” and are repeated Actions punished are “wrong” and are avoided Punishment avoidance is primary motivator n Stage 2: Quid pro quo n n n Good behavior results in others’ actions that satisfy one’s own personal needs Rewards are primary motivators Interpersonal interaction is important only to the extent that the situation can be manipulated for personal benefit— “When I do something good, I get something good”

Level 2: Conventional n n Also labeled “Role-Conformity” Level. Kohlberg considered those in this level as starting to recognize themselves as a part of the larger society Driving mechanisms: n n Trust and Loyalty Citizenship Recognition of others’ feelings “Golden Rule” thinking begins

Level 2: Conventional n Stage 3: Sociability n n “Good Boy – Nice Girl” orientation Approval seeking behavior drives moral reasoning n Stage 4: Law & Order n n Obey the letter of the law Social system is stable and predictable Conformation to laws is construed as “moral” and correct Avoidance of guilt and or censure is primary motivator

Level 3: Post-Conventional n n Also labeled “Principled” Level. Kohlberg considered those in this level as consciously validating society’s laws while developing their own universal ethical principles Driving mechanisms: n n Resolving conflicts between what is “legal” and what is “moral” Personal Conscience

Level 3: Principled n Stage 5: Societal Consensus n n n Consensus of the majority (the democratic process) results in “good laws” “Good laws” are followed to the extent they do not interfere with life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness (individual rights). Use of “due process” to change laws n Stage 6: Principled n n n Universal principles are recognized and accepted. When principles are in conflict with the law, however, the principle is the guide in determining moral reasoning. Conscience-based

Ethical Theories: Kohlberg n Criticisms n n Moral reasoning does not necessarily correlate with moral behavior (action) Culturally-biased toward democratic societies espousing strong “individual rights” A “community-centered” viewpoint was a significant omission in Levels 2 and 3 n Research, however, tends to support the “universality” of theory for Stages 1 through 5 n n Some researchers have posited that theory has a gender-bias (against females)

Ethical Theories n Cognitive-Dissonance and Ethical Reasoning n C-D Theory proposed by Leon Festinger (1959) n n n Methods to reduce discomfort: n n A clash between one’s reasoning, actions or behavior and one’s attitudes or beliefs. These inconsistencies can cause unpleasant tension, anxiety, and feelings of stress (dissonance = not in harmony) Change Attitude to better align with Behavior/Reasoning Change Reasoning to better align with Beliefs Bring Attitude and Reasoning closer together (“meet halfway”) Ethical Reasoning may involve Cognitive-Dissonance Reasoning Behavior Attitudes Beliefs

Professional Moral Reasoning n Mc. Cuen (1979) n n n Adaptation of Kohlberg’s Theory of Moral Reasoning Draws parallels between personal and professional ethics Defines categories or “dimensions” rather than developmental stages n n “Regression” is realistic A lens through which to view reasoning and behavior

Mc. Cuen’s Ethical Dimensions LEVEL 1 Pre-professional LEVEL 2 Professional LEVEL 3 Principled Professional Stage 1: Concern is for the gain of the individual (not the company, client, or profession) Stage 3: Loyalty to company is primary focus. Teamplayer behavior precludes concern for society and environment. Stage 5: Service to human welfare is paramount. Societal rules, morays and values may trump professional standards and corporate loyalty. Stage 2: Corporate loyalty, client confidence, proper conduct are pursued but again only for personal gain and advancement. Stage 4: Loyalty to company is connected to loyalty to the profession. Good engineering is good for the profession, but the societal concerns are not emphasized. Stage 6: Professional conduct is guided solely by a sense of fairness and genuine concern for society, individuals, and the environment. Decisions are based only on well-established personal principles and may contradict professional codes and even social rules. Mc. Cuen’s Six Categories of Professional Engineering Morality (Mc. Cuen, R. H. (1979). "The Ethical Dimensions of Professionalism. " Issues in Engineering 105(E 12): 89 -105. )

The Engineering Profession n How we view ourselves: n n n Problem-solvers Engineering is enjoyable; esprit de corps Engineering benefits people, provides a public service Engineering provides the most freedom of all professions (Florman, 1976) Engineering is an honorable profession

The Engineering Profession n How the public views engineering: n The Engineer’s Role n n n Engineers as Utilitarians Engineers as Positivists Applied Physical Scientists This role does not mesh well with an overarching “social science” bias of the public. Rational, pragmatic, logical and systematic approaches to problem solving tend to alienate the engineer from the public Only a 50% “Very High” or “High” rating on honesty n n n Consistently behind medical field and teachers A public relations problem, not an ethics issue per se. “Best Practices” to include applied social science

The Engineering Profession n Gallup Poll “Honesty and Ethics in Professions”

The Engineering Profession

What is Engineering Ethics* n n The study of the moral issues and decisions confronting individuals and organizations engaged in engineering The study of related questions about the moral ideals, character, policies, and relationships of people and corporations involved in technological activity. * from Martin. M. & Schinzinger, R. Ethics in Engineering (3 rd Ed. ) (New York: Mc. Graw-Hill, 1996, pp. 2 -3.

Ethics and Engineering n Where the ethical issues can arise: n n Conceptualization, Design, Testing, Manufacturing, Sales, Service Supervision and Project Teams Project timelines and budgets n Expectations, opinions, or judgments n n Products: Unsafe or Less than Useful Designed for obsolescence n Inferior materials or components n Unforeseen harmful effects to society n

Ethics and Engineering n Other fields where ethics are critical n n n Medical Ethics Legal Ethics Business Ethics (closest to Engineering Ethics) Scientific Ethics An “applied ethics” domain (rather than a theoretical analysis of philosophy) Engineering occurs at the confluence of technology, social science, and business n n n Engineering is done by people and for people Engineers’ decisions have a impact on all three areas in the confluence The public nature of an engineer’s work ensures that ethics will always play a role

Ethics and Engineering n Impacts of an engineer’s ethical decisions: n n n n The Products & Services (safety and utility) The Company and its Stockholders The Public and Society (benefits to the people) Environment (Earth and beyond) The Profession (how the public views it) The Law (how legislation affects the profession and industry) Personal Position (job, internal moral conflict) Typically, good ethical decisions… n n n …may be just that: “good, ” but rarely “great” or “ideal” …will not always be in the best interest (irrespective of the timeline) of all stakeholders …are not automatic but require thought, consideration, evaluation, and communication (much like the “design process”)