Dela Rosa, Vladimire F.

CE195-2/B73/2019135790

 If you were to give ethical training to engineers, would you stress knowing the law,
company, rules and codes of conduct, or would you instead focus, on explaining the
principles behind these rules?

It is crucial to emphasize both the understanding of laws, rules, and codes of conduct as
well as the guiding concepts behind these laws and regulations when it comes to ethical training
for engineers. Engineers should be aware of not just what is permitted and prohibited, but also the
rationale behind and application of particular ethical standards to their profession.

 Loyalty or Integrity: which should be the most important to engineers?

Integrity is crucial for preserving the public's trust and the excellence of engineering
practice. Both people and the organizations they work for are characterized by integrity. But it is
impossible to define integrity in a single sentence. When 'Integrity' is employed as a virtue
phrase, it refers to a personal trait. Integrity is defined as "wholeness," or maintaining a consistent
sense of identity under a variety of conditions. What does it mean to be a person? It is a person
whose heart and mind are in harmony, whose thoughts and words are in agreement, and whose
inner integration shows in morally high-minded behavior and righteous actions. Integrity is the
"cohesion" of our moral sense. Integrity is the outcome of integrating all the facets of our
existence harmoniously. Integrity is neither obstinacy nor rigidity. Although the person of
integrity has convictions and commitments, they are not so strong that they prevent them from
considering alternative viewpoints. Although honesty is sometimes associated with integrity,
those who lack integrity may also be referred to as "hypocrites," "opportunists," or "chameleons."
For engineers, intellectual honesty and personal accountability are what integrity most strongly
represents. It relates to one's moral makeup and life experiences. It represents an institution's
dedication to fostering an atmosphere that encourages moral behavior by upholding strict
standards of excellence and reliability.

While taking responsibility for one's actions is a universal virtue, reliability is a highly
particular virtue. Responsibility is "often discussed without specifying the moral principles or
social norms based on which some consequences of actions are to be supported and others are to
be avoided," according to Gunter Ropohl. For instance, being honest in all your interactions with
clients, colleagues, and the general public is expected of engineers, as is avoiding uttering lies or
deceiving clients or others. Second, you must follow through on your commitments. As a result,
any time you pledge to do something for someone or find out information for them, you are
making a promise. As a professional, you must follow your promises. If you are unable to do it,
you must find a strategy to stop people from making them without jeopardizing your reputation
and that of your field. Third, you shouldn't reveal confidential information. You must continually
keep your commitments. Finally, you should become an expert in your field. In the language of
ethics, character traits like trustworthiness are referred to as "virtues." Because they encourage
one to act morally, virtues are behaviors that are regarded as morally admirable. Perhaps it is not
too bold to state that professionalism entails reliability.

Applying this perspective to engineering ethics, we can assert that a

"Trustworthy/Loyalty", careful, responsible engineer, as opposed to one who follows laws and
regulations, is the most trustworthy defense of the safety, health, and welfare of the public in
technological matters. Theories of virtue ethics indeed offer a way to resolve conflicts neutrally.
When applied properly, these theories can guide our decision-making. In actuality, they don't
instruct us on how to behave. There are limitations to virtue ethics. In addition to describing right
and wrong behavior, engineering ethics as described by virtues and vices emphasizes
motivations, personality traits, and ideals. The engineer's workplace must change for him or her
to perform completely as a professional rather than a "Cog in a machine." That suggests that the
engineer must be free to discuss work goals with management, exercise more discretion in
carrying out these goals, and decline assignments based on ethical grounds. Additionally, the
engineer must be free to take his or her case to professional societies, governmental bodies, or
any other appropriate forum, if his or her professional judgment is overruled in serious matters
involving the welfare of the public and management protests are ineffective.

 What do you see as the main ethical issue arising from globalization?

The following bullet points sum up the fundamental ethical problem that engineers face
as a result of globalization:

- Conflict of interests: As businesses grow internationally, they may come across

circumstances in which their interests clash with local laws, cultures, or values.
Engineers must be able to handle these difficult moral conundrums and come to
conclusions that put the welfare and safety of the public first.
- Impact on the environment: Globalization may promote further industrialization and
environmental deterioration. Engineers must develop solutions that limit
environmental damage and support sustainable practices.
- Labor rights: The exploitation of workers in developing nations is another effect of
globalization. Engineers must make sure that their plans and choices don't support the
abuse of labor laws or human rights.
- Cultural sensitivity: As a result of globalization, engineers must collaborate with
people from many cultural backgrounds. Engineers must be mindful of cultural
differences, show sensitivity to them, and refrain from taking actions that can be
interpreted as impolite or rude.
- Bribery and corruption: Globalization can make it easier for these crimes to occur.
Engineers must be attentive in spotting and disclosing any instances of bribery or
corruption to sustain ethical standards and protect their integrity.

The potential for exploitation of employees in developing nations is one of the major
ethical problems brought on by globalization. Workers may be vulnerable to subpar
working conditions, low pay, and human rights violations as businesses try to cut costs
by outsourcing labor to nations with cheaper wages and fewer laws. Engineers have a
duty to take into account how their work will affect society and the environment and to
make sure that their projects do not exacerbate or further these moral dilemmas.