Resolving Ethical conflicts in the profession

The process of seeking resolution to an ethical conflict within the organization is usually
handled through an appeal process within the management or by the complaint process
through the office of the Ombudsman or ethical officer
The steps that the individual should take in preparation for disclosure of unethical behavior
are straightforward
Before initiating the internal option for ethical conflict, you keep a record of the event and
details regarding the ethical conflict
Along with this, you have to examine the companys internal appeal process and also familiar
with the laws that could protect you
Once you studied and documented the facts and formulated a plan for appeal, you should
discuss the matter with your immediate supervisor
Failure to fully communicate with your concerns to your immediate supervisor or secretly
going over his head to higher level is viewed as disloyalty and will be viewed negatively by
all involved even your supervisors supervisor
Resolving Ethical conflicts in the profession
However, if after fully discussing the issue with your supervisor you feel that
your supervisor is not willing or able to take appropriate action, then inform your
supervisor in writing of your intention to appeal beyond that level
The process of appealing an ethical conflict within the company is usually
similar to the process of interacting with your immediate supervisor on the issue
Formal steps should follow informal discussions, and steps within the appeal
chain should not be bypassed
If the internal appeal does not resolve the ethical conflict, then you should notify
the company organization that you intend to continue with the external review of
the problem
Before expressing any public concern, legal advice should be obtained
A lawyer can identify the desired course of action and legal pitfalls in your
external appeal
Resolving Ethical conflicts in the profession

However, while lawyers understand the legal issues, they may not have the
technical adequacy of your arguments
For this reason, it might be helpful to involve an Engineering professional
society as an impartial judge of your arguments
The willingness to become involved in this kind of activities might vary in
different engineering societies
If your company worked for a client in the issue about which you are
concerned, then the client should be approached before going public
The client may pressure your company to resolve the issue internally or he
may provide the resources to obtain unbiased reviews of the company
The last resort is public disclosure by contacting the press and T.V news
channels. This is called whistle blowing
 Moral Dilemma
Moral dilemmas are situations in which moral reasons comes into conflict, or in which the applications of moral values
are unclear, and it is not immediately obvious what should be done
For example, a person promised to meet a friend and dine, but he has to help his uncle who is involved in an accident-
one has to fix the priority
The three complex situations leading to moral dilemmas are
1.The problem of vagueness: One is unable to distinguish between good and bad (right or wrong)
principle. Good means an action that is obligatory. For example, code of ethics specifies that one
should obey the laws and follow standards. Refuse bribe or accept the gift, and maintain confidentiality
2. The problem of conflicting reasons: One is unable to choose between two good moral solutions.
3. The problem of disagreement: There may be two or more solutions and none of them mandatory.
These solutions may be better or worse in some respects but not in all aspects. One has to interpret,
apply different morally reasons, and analyze and rank the decisions. Select the best suitable, under
the existing and the most probable conditions.
Steps to Solve Dilemma
The logical steps in confronting moral dilemma are:
1. Identification of the moral factors and reasons. The clarity to identify the relevant moral values
from among duties, rights, goods and obligations is obtained (conceptual inquiry).
 Moral Dilemma
The most useful resource in identifying dilemmas in engineering is the professional codes of ethics, as
interpreted by the professional experience. Another resource is talking with colleagues who can focus or
narrow down the choice of values.
2. Collection of all information, data, and facts (factual inquiry) relevant to the situation.
3. Rank the moral options i.e., priority in application through value system, and also as
obligatory, all right, acceptable, not acceptable, damaging, and most damaging etc. For
example, in fulfilling responsibility, the codes give prime importance to public safety and
protection of the environment, as compared to the individuals or the employers (conceptual
inquiry).
4. Generate alternate courses of action to resolve the dilemma. Write down the main options
and sub-options as a matrix or decision tree to ensure that all options are included.
5. Discuss with colleagues and obtain their perspectives, priorities, and suggestions on various
alternatives.
6. Decide upon a final course of action, based on priority fixed or assumed. If there is no ideal
solution, we arrive at a partially satisfactory or satisficing solution.
Moral Autonomy

Moral autonomy is defined as, decisions and actions exercised on the basis of
moral concern for other people and recognition of good moral reasons.
The autonomous people hold moral beliefs and attitudes based on their critical
reflection rather than on passive adoption of the conventions of the society or
profession.
Moral autonomy may also be defined as a skill and habit of thinking rationally
about the ethical issues, on the basis of moral concern.
Moral autonomy deals with the improvement of an individual s moral thoughts
which make him/her to adapt good habits
This foundation of moral concern or general responsiveness to moral values
derives primarily from the training we receive as children in being sensitive to
the needs and rights of others (as well as ourselves)
If such moral training is absent for a child, he/she may become sociopath
Moral Autonomy
Moral autonomy can be accomplished by improving various practical skills
that will help produce effective independent thought about moral issues
A s related to engineering ethics, these skills will be useful for accomplishing
moral autonomy
1. Proficiency in recognizing moral problems and issues in engineering
This involves being able to distinguish them from, as well as relate them to problems
in law, economics, religious doctrines etc.
2. Skill in comprehending, clarifying and critically assessing arguments on opposing side of
moral issues
3. The ability to form consistent and comprehensive viewpoints based up on relevant facts
4. Imaginative awareness of alternative responses to the issues and creative solutions for
practical difficulties
Moral Autonomy
5. Sensitivity to genuine difficulties
This includes a willingness to undergo and tolerate some uncertainty in
making troublesome moral judgments or decisions
6. Enhanced precision in the use of common ethical language which is necessary
to be able to express and defend ones moral views adequately to others
7. Better appreciation of both the possibilities of using rational dialogue in
resolving moral conflicts and of the need of tolerance of difference in
perspective among morally reasonable people
8. Awakened sense of the importance of integrating ones professional life and
personal convictions, that is, the importance of maintaining ones moral integrity