Engineering & Society: Ethical Frameworks: Dr. Gershon Weltman Engineering 183EW, UCLA SEAS

Engineering & Society:
Ethical Frameworks
Dr. Gershon Weltman

Engineering 183EW, UCLA SEAS
Lecture 2
Copyright Gershon Weltman, 2014
What Do We Mean by Ethics?
Descriptive
DescriptiveEthics
EthicsDeals
Dealswith
withdescribing
describingexisting
existingethical
ethicalsystems
systems
Normative
NormativeEthics
EthicsDeals
Dealswith
withdetermining
determiningright
rightopinions
opinionsand
andactions
actions
Ethical Progression
Royal/Divine Legal Codes
Revealed Moral/Ethical Codes
Specialized Life Codes

Ethical Philosophies
Societal Regulations & Laws
The relationship of ethical codes to ethical philosophies is like the

relationship of engineering to science doing comes first.
It seems as if a society, a culture, or a subculture first decides what its
people should and shouldnt do -- and then its philosophers try to
figure out the basic principles on which these decisions are based.
Early Codes: Egypt & Mesopotamia
2050 B.C.
1850 B.C.
1780 B.C.
1500 B.C
1100 B.C
Ur-Nammu
Lipit-Ishtar
Hammurabi
Hittite
Assyrian
These were both bodies of law

to be followed and records of
how cases had been decided in
the past. E.g., in Egypt the
Pharaoh was the living law and the law was he. The law
was the prerogative of kings
and priests, but they might be
influenced by societal custom.
Code of Hammurabi (Babylonia, ~1800 BC)

Hammurabi, prince, called of Bel am I the, making riches and increase, enriching Nippur
and Dur-ilu beyond compare, sublime patron of E-kur; who reestablished Eridu and
purified the worship of E-apsu; who conquered the four quarters of the world..
.When Marduk sent me to rule over men, to give the protection of right to the
land, I did right and righteousness and brought about the well-being of the oppressed.
1. If any one ensnare another, putting a ban upon him, but he can not prove it, then he that
ensnared him shall be put to death.
2. If any one bring an accusation against a man, and the accused go to the river and leap into the
river, if he sink in the river his accuser shall take possession of his house. But if the river prove
that the accused is not guilty, and he escape unhurt, then he who had brought the accusation shall
be put to death, while he who leaped into the river shall take possession of the house that had
belonged to his accuser.
3. If any one bring an accusation of any crime before the elders, and does not prove what he has
charged, he shall, if it be a capital offense charged, be put to death.
..
282. If a slave says to his master: "You are not my master," if they convict him, his master shall
cut off his ear.
(These are the) LAWS of justice which Hammurabi the wise king established. A righteous
law and pious statute did he teach the land. Hammurabi, the protecting king am I.
Earliest Biblical Material (~1000 BCE)
Potshard containing early biblical material
The
Thewriting
writingwas
wasdiscovered
discoveredon
onaapottery
potteryshard
sharddug
dugup
upduring
duringexcavations
excavationsatatKhirbet
KhirbetQeiyafa,
Qeiyafa,near
nearIsrael's
Israel'sElah
Elah
valley.
The
excavations
were
carried
out
by
archaeologist
Yosef
Garfinkel
of
the
Hebrew
University
in
valley. The excavations were carried out by archaeologist Yosef Garfinkel of the Hebrew University in
Jerusalem.
Jerusalem. The
Thebreakthrough
breakthroughcould
couldmean
meanthat
thatportions
portionsofofthe
theBible
Biblewere
werewritten
writtenseveral
severalcenturies
centuriesearlier
earlierthan
than
previously
thought
.
LiveScience.com
Jan
15,
2010
previously thought.
LiveScience.com Jan 15, 2010
Revealed Laws - Noahide (Israel, ~600 BCE)
The Seven Laws for Mankind

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
You shall practice equity, establish and promote justice

You shall not commit Idolatry
You shall not commit Blasphemy
You shall not commit Sexual Immorality
You shall not commit Murder
You shall not commit Theft
You shall not eat the limb torn from a live animal. Flesh
with the life of it, the blood of it, you shall not eat.
According
AccordingtotoBiblical
Biblicaltradition,
tradition,the
thefirst
firstsix
sixuniversal
universallaws
lawswere
weregiven
giventoto
Adam,
Adam,the
theseventh
seventhwas
wasadded
addedfor
forNoah
Noahafter
afterthe
theflood.
flood.
Revealed Laws - Decalogue (Israel, ~500 BCE)

I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of slavery in the land of Egypt.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
You shall have no other gods before me.

You shall not make idols to worship them.
You shall not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain.
Remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy.
Honor your father and mother.
You shall not murder.
You shall not commit adultery.
You shall not steal.
You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.
You shall not covet your neighbors goods, nor his house, nor his wife,
nor his manservant, nor his bull, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your
neighbors.
The
TheJewish
JewishTorah,
Torah,ininwhich
whichthe
theDecalogue
Decalogueappears
appearstwice,
twice,
has
hasaarecognized
recognized613
613injunctions
injunctionsinvolving
involvingreligious
religiouspractices.
practices.
Example Injunctions: Leviticus19

26 Ye shall not eat any thing with the blood: neither shall ye use enchantment, nor observe times.
27 Ye shall not round the corners of your heads, neither shalt thou mar the corners of thy beard.
28 Ye shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor print any marks upon you: I am
the Lord.
29 Do not prostitute thy daughter, to cause her to be a whore; lest the land fall to whoredom, and
the land become full of wickedness.
30 Ye shall keep my sabbaths, and reverence my sanctuary: I am the Lord.
31 Regard not them that have familiar spirits, neither seek after wizards, to be defiled by them: I
am the Lord your God.
32 Thou shalt rise up before the hoary head, and honour the face of the old man, and fear thy God:
I am the Lord.
33 And if a stranger sojourn with thee in your land, ye shall not vex him.
34 But the stranger that dwelleth with you shall be unto you as one born among you, and thou shalt
love him as thyself; for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God.
35 Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment, in meteyard, in weight, or in measure.
36 Just balances, just weights, a just ephah, and a just hin, shall ye have: I am the Lord your God,
which brought you out of the land of Egypt.
37 Therefore shall ye observe all my statutes, and all my judgments, and do them: I am the Lord.
Revealed Christian Doctrine (Israel, ~30 AD)

According to the Gospels, Jesus of Nazareth preached:
Follow the Law, obey the Commandments

Do not only not swear oaths falsely, do not swear oaths at all
Blessed are the meek, the persecuted, the merciful, the peacemakers
Agree with your adversary, murder begins in the heart,
Turn the other cheek, do not give an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth
Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you
Do your charitable deeds in secret, pray privately, fast to be seen only by God
Lay up treasures in heaven and not on earth, you cannot serve both God and
mammon
Adultery is committed in the heart when you look at a woman with lust
Divorce is adultery, unless for sexual immorality
Do not worry about your life, about food and drink, about clothing..
Judge not, that you be not judged
These
Thesenovel
novelteachings
teachingsemphasized
emphasizedhumility,
humility,loving
lovingkindness,
kindness,
and
andforgiveness
forgivenessrather
ratherthan
thanprohibitions
prohibitionsand
andretribution
retribution
10
An Essential Idea: The Golden Rule(s)
Judaic:
What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbor.
Christian:
What you would want others to do to you, do so to them.
Buddhist:
Hurt not others with that which pains you.
Muslim:
Desire for your brother that which you desire for yourself.
Hindu:
Do nothing to others which if done to you would cause you pain.
Bahai
Choose for your neighbor that which you choose for yourself.
11
The Golden Conundrum

How
Howdo
doyou
youknow
knowwhat
whatis
ishateful
hatefulor
ordesirable
desirableto
toothers?
others?
Practical Level
Assume homogeneity Everyone thinks the same

Emphasize principles over particulars E.g., pleasure & pain
Empathize -- Do as they would have you do onto them!
Conceptual Level
Shared cognitive models
Learned cognitive models:
Individuals Psychology
Groups Sociology
Meta-cognitive processes
Family and Friends
Create models
Test and refine models
Analytical Level: Philosophies of Ethical Principles
12
Codes: Chivalry (Europe, ~1000 AD)1
Observe all the Church teaches
Defend the Church
Do not recoil before your enemy
Make war on the Infidel without

cessation or mercy
Love your country of birth
Perform your feudal duties
Champion the Right and Good

against Injustice and Evil
Be generous to everyone
Respect all weaknesses and make

yourself their defender
Never lie, and keep your word
After Gautier, Chivalry, 1989
13
Codes: Samurai (Japan, ~1500 AD)1
Preparation
Life Skills
Education
Knowledge of right and wrong
Bravery, respect
Horsemanship, military arts
Offensive spirit
Literacy and aesthetics
Do the Good,
Show Loyalty,
Service
Honor Parents
House construction
Household management
Servants and their equipment
Relatives, friends, relationships
Travel
Duties of Samurai
Records, escorts, officials
Tax extortion and thievery
Showing feelings
Loyalty till death
After Sadler, A.L, Code of the Samurai, Charles E. Tuttle, 1988
14
Codes: Boy Scouts (England, ~1900 AD)

Oath:
On my honor I will do my best to do my duty to
God and my country and to obey the Scout
Law; To help other people at all times; To keep
myself physically strong, mentally awake, and
morally straight.
Law: A Scout is
Trustworthy
Loyal
Helpful
Friendly
Courteous
Kind
Obedient
Cheerful
Thrifty
Brave
Clean
Reverent
15
Codes: West Point (USA, ~1950 AD)
A cadet will not lie, cheat or steal,

or tolerate those who do!
Such
Suchsimple
simplecodes
codesare
areeasy
easyto
toremember,
remember,but
butinintheir
theirsimplicity
simplicitythey
theymay
may
neglect
neglectmore
morecomplex
complexethical
ethicaland
andmoral
moralissues
issuesofofgreat
greatimportance
importance
16
Codes: Engineering Profession (USA ~2000)

Engineers, in the fulfillment of their professional duties, shall:
Hold paramount the safety, health and welfare of the public

Perform services only in the area of their competence
Issue public statements only in an objective and truthful manner
Act in professional matters for each employer or client as faithful
agents or trustees
Avoid deceptive acts in the solicitation of professional employment
The
Theabove
aboveFundamental
FundamentalCanons
Canonsare
arefollowed
followedby
bydetailed
detailedRules
RulesofofPractice
Practiceand
and
Professional
ProfessionalObligations.
Obligations. Most
Mostififnot
notall
allofofthese
thesecast
castthe
theengineer
engineerininthe
therole
roleofof
employee
employeeor
oragent
agentrather
ratherthan
thanininthe
therole
roleofofentrepreneur,
entrepreneur,employer
employeror
orinitiator.
initiator.
And
Andfew
fewififany
anydeal
dealwith
withsocietal
societalmoral
moralor
orethical
ethicalissues.
issues. IsIsaaProfessional
ProfessionalCode
Code
ofofthis
thistype
typestill
stillappropriate
appropriateand/or
and/oradequate
adequatefor
fortodays
todaysmore
morecomplex
complexworld?
world?
17
Morality, Ethics and the Law
Ethics occupy the middle ground between a societys Fundamental

Morals and its governments Regulations and Laws
Ethics provide direction toward adherence to the Law as well as

guidance in ambiguous areas of the Law
Moral and Ethical principles often create new Laws when there is
sufficient political and/or public support
The reverse is also true, Laws become outmoded or unenforceable

when the Moral and/or Ethical climate surrounding them changes
18
Example: Creation of Child Labor Laws
Child hurriers in
19th century coal mines
Child labor played a major role in the European Industrial Revolution

More than 50% of children from 5 to 15 worked without regulation
1802 English law reduced childrens work day from 16 to 12 hours
1847 English law limited adults and children to 10 hours work daily
Child labor laws presaged other restrictions on industrial practices
But -- child labor remains a world ethical issue today!

19
Example: Reversal of Existing Laws

In the USA many previously legal practices have been overturned or
are being reexamined on the basis of moral or ethical considerations:
Slavery
Segregation
Discrimination
Subjugation of Women
Disenfranchisement
Contraception/Abortion
Derogatory Speech
Inter-Racial Marriage
Same-Sex Marriage
Government Surveillance
Cruel & Unusual Punishment
Torture
Death Penalty
Chemical/Biological Weapons
Land Mines
Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Sale of Body Parts
Others
Many
Manyfurther
furtherexamples
examplesininpolitics,
politics,business,
business,sports
sportsand
anddaily
dailylife.
life.
20
Ethics, Morality and Law: A Local Example
21
Ethics, Morality and Law: Summary
Many of the difficult problems in Engineering Ethics lie inside the

boundary of what is legal.
At the same time, things that were formerly ethical questions -such as sexual harassment, job-related age discrimination, and
arbitrary dismissal -- are now outside the Law.
Most, if not all, of our outmoded laws are still open issues from a
worldwide perspective, and provide a valuable insight into the
historical interaction and evolution of morality, ethics and laws.
The
Thechallenge
challengeisisto
tobuild
buildaasolid
solidPersonal
PersonalEthical
EthicalFramework
Frameworkininthe
the
face
faceof
ofcontinual
continualinteraction
interactionamong
amongand
andfluctuation
fluctuationof
ofmorals,
morals,ethics
ethics
and
andlaws
lawsand
andthen
thento
toact
actdecisively
decisivelyon
onthe
thebasis
basisof
ofthat
thatframework.
framework.
22
Ethical Philosophies
Attempts to systematize, rationalize and prescribe societal and
personal ethical choices. We will review:
Historical Ethical Theories

Rights Ethics
Duty Ethics*
Virtue Ethics*
Utilitarianism*
Pragmatism
Alternative Ethical Theories*
*Also treated in Van de Poel and Royakkers

23
Rights Ethics
Fundamental Concepts
Human rights are basic

Respect for rights is obligatory
Types of Rights
Liberty Rights:
Welfare Rights
Related primarily to individuals

Concern non-interference and property protection
Related primarily to collections of people
Concern for the members of a moral community
Rights include benefits under contracts and promises
Examples
Declaration of Independence
Constitution and Bill of Rights
Modern Rights: Privacy, education, safety, health care, etc.
Current Controversy: Tea Party vs. New Society
24
U.S. Declaration of Independence

When in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to
dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another,
and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to
which the Laws of Nature and of Natures God entitle them, a decent respect
to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which
impact them to the separation.
We hold these truths to be self evident
That all men are created equal
That they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable Rights
That among these are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness
That to secure these rights, governments are instituted among Men, deriving
their just powers from the consent of the governed
That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends,
it is the Right of the People to alter or abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers such
form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.
25
Rights Issues
Where Do Rights Come From?
How Do Rights Differ from Morals or Preferences?
Are related mainly to governments

Extend top level morals into law
Are super preferences, superseding minor preferences
Why are Rights Important?
Outside Sources: God, Nature, Natural Law

Inside Sources: Codes, Laws, Reason
Wrongs: Bad Experiences + Morality1
Restrict the actions of Government

Protect minority opinions and safety
Provide society with necessary values and guidance
Allan Dershowitz (2004), Rights from Wrongs, Basic Books, New York
26
Case In Point: California Fair Housing

Californias Rumford Fair Housing Act [1963]
Objective was to outlaw racial discrimination by property owners and landlords.
The Act provided that landlords could not deny people housing because of
ethnicity, religion, sex, marital status, physical handicap, or familial status
Californias Proposition 14 [1964]
Objective was to restore racial discrimination by property owners and landlords.
Proposition 14 stated:
Neither the State nor any subdivision or agency thereof shall deny, limit or abridge, directly or
indirectly, the right of any person, who is willing or desires to sell, lease or rent any part or all
of his real property, to decline to sell, lease or rent such property to such person or persons as
he, in his absolute discretion, chooses.
27
Case In Point: California Fair Housing

Civil Rights
Property Rights
VS
California
Californiavoters
votersapprove
approveProposition
Proposition14
14by
by65%
65%toto35%,
35%,but
butthe
theState
Stateand
andFederal
Federal
Supreme
Courts
rule
it
violates
the
Constitutions
Equal
Protection
clause.
The
Supreme Courts rule it violates the Constitutions Equal Protection clause. The
Rumford
RumfordFair
FairHousing
HousingAct
Actstands,
stands,and
andbecomes
becomesthe
thetemplate
templatefor
forthe
thewhole
wholecountry.
country.
28
Other Rights In Opposition

Right
Opposing Right
Right to keep and bear arms
Right to safety and protection
Right to freedom of speech
Right to a non-hostile environment
Rights of defendants
Rights of victims and of society
Right to health care
Right to personal independence
Right to medical treatment
Right to refuse to give treatment
Right to a clean environment
Right to a profitable business
Right to chose abortion
Right of fetus to life
Right to personal property
Right of society to resources
Etc., Etc.
Etc., Etc.
29
Duty Ethics (Deontological Ethics)
Required duties are actions that agree with basic morals

Emphasis is on what we owe to others
Mirror image of rights -- for every right there is a duty
Related Issues
Unification principles
Autonomy Man determines morality through reason

Universality Principles apply equally to all people
Reciprocity -- Respect others desires, needs, efforts
Kants Categorical Imperative
30
The Categorical Imperative
First formulation (The Universal Law):

Act only according to that maxim whereby you can, at the same
time, will that it should become a universal law.
Second formulation (The End in Itself)

So act that you treat humanity, whether in your own person or in the
person of any other, always at the same time as an end, never
merely as a means.
Third formulation (Formula of Autonomy)

So act as if your maxims should serve at the same time as the
universal law (of all rational beings), meaning that we should so act
that we may think of ourselves as "a member in the universal realm
of ends"
Immanuel Kant, Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals, 1785

31
An Absurdist Critique of Deontology

What if everyone
took the same bad
actions you took?
Well, then Id be
crazy not to do
likewise!
After Joseph Heller, Catch 22
Universality
Universalityconsiderations
considerationsshould
shouldnot
notdeter
deterfrom
fromnecessary
necessaryactions
actions
32
Duty Ethics
Duties are basic

Mirror image of rights -- for every right there is a duty
Emphasis on what we owe to others
Related Issues
Unification principles
Autonomy Governing ones own life morally

Universality Principles apply equally to all people
Respect -- Other peoples desires, needs, efforts
Kants Categorical Imperative
Examples
The Decalogue
Code of Chivalry
Cadet Honor Code
Professional Codes (Engineering, Medicine & Others)
33
Virtue Ethics
Essential virtues are desirable as
Ideal is to be a virtuous person
Related Issues
Traits, attitudes, emotions & motives

Guides to moral/ethical conduct
Evolution of virtues
The Golden Mean
Present day relevance
34
Historical Evolution of Virtues
Wisdom
Courage
Temperance
Justice
Wisdom
Greatness of Spirit
Decorum
Justice
Liberality
Greek Cardinal
virtues of Plato and
Aristotle were mainly
intended for wealthy,
land-owning males
Roman virtues of
Cicero were intended
for civic leaders of the
more expansive and
militant Roman Empire
Wisdom
Courage
Temperance
Justice
Faith
Hope
Love
Christian seven
fundamental virtues
were intended for all
believers and had
transcendental roots
Virtues
Virtuesare
arevalues
valuesexpressed
expressedas
aspermanent
permanentmodes
modesof
ofbehavior.
behavior.
Prof.
Prof.Nathan
NathanRotenstreich,
Rotenstreich,Hebrew
HebrewUniversity,
University,Jerusalem
Jerusalem
35
Virtue Ethics
Virtues are desirable as
Being a virtuous person
Related Issues
Motives, attitudes and emotions

Guides to conduct
Evolution of virtues
The Golden Mean
Association with societal classes
Examples
Religious precepts
Boy Scout Oath
Recent
Recentcommentators
commentatorshave
havesuggested
suggestedthat
thataareturn
returntotosimple
simplevirtue
virtueethics
ethics
might
mightbe
beaasolution
solutiontotoour
ourapparent
apparentloss
lossofofany
anyethical
ethicalfoundation
foundation
36
For Example: Americas Critical Virtues

In his 2012 book Coming Apart author Charles
Murray gives Americas founding virtues as:
Industriousness
Honesty
Marriage
Religiosity
He says the increasing lack of these virtues is
what is separating the new lower class from
the new upper class, and he provides statistical
evidence to support his thesis.
Is this something you see as reasonable? Or
do you think Murray is off on a wrong track?
37
Utilitarianism (Consequentialism)
Fundamental Concepts:
Related Principles:
Rule-Utilitarianism: Moral rules determine acts

Act-Utilitarianism: Consequences determine acts
Examples:
Only the consequences of an action are morally relevant

Actions are an optimal balance of good vs. bad consequences
Actions should produce the most good for the most people
Cars: Speed & Convenience vs. Safety & Economy

Air and Water Pollution: Public Health vs. Industrial Costs
Genetic Engineering: Medical Benefits vs. Risks & Morality
Cautions:
Unforeseen consequences
Inequitable distribution of the good
Neglect of personal relations and values
Some actions are basically wrong, whatever the consequences!
38
Pragmatism
Related Principles
Context In which facts and values must be balanced

Analysis -- Ethical reasoning vs. fixed rules or ideals
Flexibility In integrating and harmonizing competing values
Guidance in methods of analytical thought
Warnings of negative consequences
Case Solutions
Cases are concrete dilemmas with differing moral/ethical opinions

Emphasizing principles often leads to accentuation of differences
Emphasizing particulars over principles can lead to pragmatic
reconciliation of differences
Didnt we earlier say the opposite with regard to the Golden Rule?
A
Afoolish
foolishconsistency
consistencyisisthe
thehobgoblin
hobgoblinofoflittle
littleminds.
minds.
Ralph
RalphWaldo
WaldoEmerson
Emerson
39
Alternative Ethical Structures
Non-Judeo/Christian:
Non-Religious
Non-Male Centered:
Non-Adult Centered:
Non-Human Centered:
Non-Democratic:
Non-Political:
Non-Martial:
Non-Capitalistic:
Non-Altruistic:
Non-Essentialist:
Islamic, Buddhist, Hindu. Etc.

Secular Humanism, Atheism
Feminist
Fetal, Infant and Child Rights
Animal Rights, Nature Rights
Theocracy, Dictatorship, Monarchy
Libertarian, Anarchistic
Pacifistic
Socialist, Communist
Objectivist (Ayn Randism)
Existentialist
Conclusion:
Conclusion:ItItisisalmost
almostimpossible
impossibletoday
todaynot
notto
toviolate
violate
somebodys
somebodysethical
ethicalprinciples
principles---- no
nomatter
matterwhat
whatyou
youdo.
do.
40
The Modern Role of Religion
Thomas Jefferson created a personal New

Testament that contained Jesus moral and
ethical teachings, but eliminated all of the
miracles and supernatural happenings. The
Smithsonian Institute recently republished the
original Jefferson Bible.
The Dalai Lama has said: All of us, all human beings, are
basically inclined toward what we perceive to be goodIn view
of this, I am of the firm opinion that we have within our grasp a
(secular) way and means to ground inner values without
contradicting any religion and yet, crucially, without depending
on any religion.
While
Whilereligion
religioncan
cancertainly
certainlybe
beaaguide
guideto
toethics,
ethics,many
manypeople,
people,even
evenreligious
religious
ones,
have
also
sought
a
secular,
or
non-religious,
path
to
ethical
behavior
ones, have also sought a secular, or non-religious, path to ethical behavior
41
The Modern Role of Science and Reason

Modern sensibilities have increasingly conceived
moral worth in terms of consciousness, particularly the
ability to suffer and flourish, and have identified
consciousness with the activity of the brain. The
change is part of the turning away from religion and
custom and toward science and secular philosophy as a
source of moral illumination.
Steven Pinker
The Better Angels of our Nature
Once reasoning has got started its hard to tell where
it will stop.
Peter Singer
The Expanding Circle: Ethics and Sociobiology
Pinker
Pinkerisiscertain,
certain,Singer
Singernot
notso
somuch,
much,but
butboth
bothsee
seemoral
moralhope
hopeininreason
reason
42
Reasoning itself and Moral or Ethical Actions
An act has no ethical quality whatsoever unless it be chosen out of

several (acts that are) all equally possible.
1890
William James
The Principles of Psychology,
William
WilliamJames,
James,renowned
renownedpsychologist
psychologistand
andphilosopher,
philosopher,
comes
comesdown
downfirmly
firmlyon
onthe
theside
sideofofconscious
consciouschoice,
choice,
and
andtherefore
thereforereasoning,
reasoning,as
asaacritical
criticalcomponent
componentofofethical
ethical
action.
action.
43
Does Ethics Today Depend on Reasoning?
No, it does Not!

Rather, moral action depends on compassion. Parents need no reasoning to
nourish their children to loving kindness. Human beings need no reasoning
to help other needy humans and creatures. All we truly need is compassion.
Aref Ali Nayed

Kalam Research, Dubai
Yes, if..
..that means that moral action depends on reason. We do not have to go
through a process of reason-ing in order to arrive at a view of what morality
requires on every occasion. Often, we simply know. But moral action does
not merely depend on reason. Moral action is rational action, because the
moral law is a law of reason.
Prof. Kristine Korsgaard

Harvard University
Yes and No.

Yes because the actions we can truly call moral depend on the work of
reason at some stage, no because the moment-to-moment execution of

actions, moral or otherwise, is not necessarily under the control of reason.
Prof. Antonio Damasio
USC
Todays
Todaysethical
ethicalphilosophers
philosophersare
aredivided,
divided,citing
citingaavariety
varietyofoffactors
factorsincluding
includinggenetics.
genetics.
For
a
complete
presentation
of
these
and
other
views,
see
www.templeton.org/reason.
For a complete presentation of these and other views, see www.templeton.org/reason.
44
Are Ethics Intuitive?

Jonathan Haidt postulates six types of moral
response that have evolved to promote group
cohesion and are manifested through intuitive
emotional reactions:
1. Care/harm
2. Liberty/oppression
3. Fairness/cheating
4. Loyalty/betrayal
5. Authority/subversion
6. Sanctity/degradation
Haidt further theorizes, using scientific evidence,
that different groups make different use of these
basic ingredients to form their moralities, and that
these evolutionary attitudes contribute more to the
control of behavior than does reason.
45
Are Ethics Intuitive?

Jonathan Haidt postulates six types of moral
response that have evolved to promote group
cohesion and are manifested through intuitive
emotional reactions:
Care/harm
Liberty/oppression
Fairness/cheating
Loyalty/betrayal
Authority/subversion
Sanctity/degradation
For example, Haidt believes Liberals emphasize
the first three responses, while Conservatives
emphasize the last three. The two groups are
building on the same set of responses, and so
should be better able to understand each other.
46
And What about Experience?

The life of the law has not been logic; it has been experience.
Judge Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr.
The Common Law, 1881
Genuine experience is aggregated of events and individual

circumstances from which conclusions are drawn and tested over
time. It is the wisdom to be had from the commonplace, which is
why the consensus that grows from shared experience transcends
mere custom. Recourse to that civilizing authority is one of the
things that breaths ethical life into the day-to-day administration of
our courts and the production of newspapers and newscasts.
Tim Rutten, Regarding Media
Los Angeles Times, July 30, 2003
We
Wewill
willconsider
consideraccelerated
acceleratedexperience
experiencewhen
whenwe
wediscuss
discusscontinuing
continuinglearning
learning
47

Engineering & Society: Ethical Frameworks: Dr. Gershon Weltman Engineering 183EW, UCLA SEAS

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Engineering & Society:

Dr. Gershon Weltman

Copyright Gershon Weltman, 2014

What Do We Mean by Ethics?

Royal/Divine Legal Codes

Revealed Moral/Ethical Codes

Specialized Life Codes

Societal Regulations & Laws

The relationship of ethical codes to ethical philosophies is like the

Early Codes: Egypt & Mesopotamia

These were both bodies of law

Code of Hammurabi (Babylonia, ~1800 BC)

Earliest Biblical Material (~1000 BCE)

Potshard containing early biblical material

Revealed Laws - Noahide (Israel, ~600 BCE)

The Seven Laws for Mankind

You shall practice equity, establish and promote justice

Copyright Gershon Weltman, 2014

Revealed Laws - Decalogue (Israel, ~500 BCE)

You shall have no other gods before me.

Copyright Gershon Weltman, 2014

Example Injunctions: Leviticus19

Copyright Gershon Weltman, 2014

Revealed Christian Doctrine (Israel, ~30 AD)

Follow the Law, obey the Commandments

An Essential Idea: The Golden Rule(s)

Copyright Gershon Weltman, 2014

The Golden Conundrum

Assume homogeneity Everyone thinks the same

Shared cognitive models

Learned cognitive models:

Family and Friends

Analytical Level: Philosophies of Ethical Principles

Copyright Gershon Weltman, 2014

Codes: Chivalry (Europe, ~1000 AD)1

Observe all the Church teaches

Defend the Church

Do not recoil before your enemy

Make war on the Infidel without

Love your country of birth

Perform your feudal duties

Champion the Right and Good

Respect all weaknesses and make

Never lie, and keep your word

After Gautier, Chivalry, 1989

Copyright Gershon Weltman, 2014

Codes: Samurai (Japan, ~1500 AD)1

After Sadler, A.L, Code of the Samurai, Charles E. Tuttle, 1988

Copyright Gershon Weltman, 2014

Codes: Boy Scouts (England, ~1900 AD)

Copyright Gershon Weltman, 2014

Codes: West Point (USA, ~1950 AD)

A cadet will not lie, cheat or steal,

Codes: Engineering Profession (USA ~2000)

Hold paramount the safety, health and welfare of the public

Morality, Ethics and the Law

Ethics occupy the middle ground between a societys Fundamental

Ethics provide direction toward adherence to the Law as well as

The reverse is also true, Laws become outmoded or unenforceable

Copyright Gershon Weltman, 2014

Example: Creation of Child Labor Laws

Child labor played a major role in the European Industrial Revolution

But -- child labor remains a world ethical issue today!