Chapter 2.

1
Definition of ethics in
engineering
LEARNING OUTCOMES
1. Define ethics in engineering.
 INTRODUCTION TO ETHICS
WHAT IS ETHICS ?

Ethics refers to the study of moral rules or principles of

behavior for deciding what is right and wrong.

Engineering ethics is an applied form of ethical

standards which apply to any engineers as to:

1. Maintain personal integrity

2. Maintain public respect and trust
3. Avoid legal problems (criminal and civil right)
** With Great knowledge comes great responsibilities
System of moral principles
Principles of right and wrong
Principles of conduct governing behavior of an
individual or a group
 DEFINITION OF ENGINEERING ETHICS
• the study of moral issues and
decisions confronting individuals and
organizations involved in
engineering.
• the study of related questions about
moral conduct, character and
relationships of peoples and
organizations involved in
technological development.

By : Abouzar Dastmalchi, National Society of Professionl Engineers

 INTRODUCTION TO ETHICS

SOME COMMON TYPES OF ETHICS DILEMMA

1. A factory is polluting the local village, but to
close the facility would eliminate 50% of
the regional employment. What is your
decision?

2. You have information that could help your

client, but harm your employer. Do you
share it?
 SOME COMMON TYPES OF ETHICS DILEMMA

3. You're asked by your supervisor to review a

design that you feel is slightly outside your
area of expertise. How do you respond?
4. Your employer is engaged in an important
building project that you believe will harm
your neighborhood. What do you do?
5. Design A is more reliable, Design B is cheaper
to produce. Which one do you select?
 LEGAL vs ETHIC
CLARIFICATION

1. Legal standards, defined by legal body,

determine what the law is and who should obey
it.

2. Ethical standards exist independently of any

particular group of experts.

NOTE : In Malaysia, Code of ethics related to

engineering are regulated and govern by BEM
and IEM.