Lecture 1: Definitions & Aims

Definitions
Engineering:
The practical application of pure sciences (such as mathematics, physics, chemistry etc.) To benefit society, ones employer & oneself:
Elegant solutions to real-world problems:
Cost-effective, timely, user-friendly, environmentally sound

Engineering activity produces benefits & costs:

costs may be distributed differently from benefits Ethical issues arise from this uneven distribution
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Definitions (continued)
Engineering ethics is the study of:
Moral issues & decisions confronting people & organisations engaged in engineering Related questions about the moral ideals, character, policies & relationships of people & organisations engaged in engineering

Morality involves concern for others, e.g.

People, animals, the environment Fellow workers, managers, shareholders & the public
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Professions & professionalism

Some characteristics of a profession:
Special knowledge, skills, judgement & discretion
Important aspects of public good Professional societies that set & enforce standards

Important attributes of professionalism:

High standards of education & creativity Accept responsibility to the public

Cardinal principles of IEAust code of ethics:

To respect the inherent dignity of the individual To act on the basis of a well-informed conscience To act in the interests of the community
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Dimensions of Engineering

 Safe access for the villagers Humane condition for the chickens , space and ventilation Improve cleaning procedures Safety, respect for environment , respect for people Efficiency
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Potential Moral Problems

Potential Moral Problems

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Why study ethics?

Self-interest (you just want to make as much money as possible):
to keep your job & stay out of gaol

Tribalism (you care for your extended family):

to leave them a society and a world worth living in

Civil society (you want to trust fellow citizens):

to understand how to behave ethically & to know what you should expect of others
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How to be ethical

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Responsibility
Obligations
Actions that are morally mandatory
At an individual or Professional level

Accountable
Being answerable for meeting particular obligations

Integrity
Diligently try to do the right thing

Blameworthy/Praiseworthy
Wrong doing is at issue Right conduct is at issue
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Saving Citicorp Tower

Objective to raise the height of Tower Unique design , gravity and wind load , wind braces Quartering winds Resultant force is 40 % larger Call to Stanley Joints bolted instead of welding Results of scaled model Probability of such winds (every 16 years)
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Saving Citicorp Tower (case)

If we say Le was responsible ! He met his responsibilities (obligation) He was responsible for doing so (accountable) He acted responsibly (integrity ) He is admirable (praiseworthy)

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The nature of ethical problems

Micro-ethics:
Problems with mainly local impact, e.g:
Inadequate quality control in a computer factory

Macro-ethics:
Problems that affect society in a broad sense, e.g:
Global warming

Common features of ethical problems:

Vagueness or poorly defined boundaries Moral dilemmas (conflicting moral obligations) Matters of judgement rather than objective fact 18

The nature of ethical problems

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The nature of ethical problems

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Objectives for studying engineering ethics

Goal - moral autonomy:
the skill & habit of thinking rationally about ethical issues on the basis of moral concern
childhood learning augmented by adult learning & experience

Underlying skills & proficiencies:

Recognise ethical problems in an engineering context Comprehend & critically assess ethical arguments Form consistent & comprehensive ethical viewpoints:
While understanding ethical diversity & uncertainty
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