ELEC4011 Ethics & Electrical Engineering Practice Hugh Outhred Lecture 12: Global Issues (Chapter 7, Martin & Schinzinger, ‘Ethics in Engineering’ & S Beder, ‘The Nature of Sustainable Development’, Scribe Publications, 1993) ELEC4011 Ethics & Electrical Engineering Practice Hugh Outhred
Characteristics of global issues Reach: Extend beyond the borders of any particular country Legal framework: Lie outside the laws of any particular country Few constraints on business, little protection for individuals Ethical context: Typically involve differing cultures and mores Costs may be distributed quite differently from benefits Very dependent on business & government ethics ELEC4011 - Lecture 12: Global Issues
Multinational corporations Significant activities in more than one country: Usually large companies, often engineering-based Issues that arise if disparities of power or wealth: Exploitation of one country’s population, resources or environment on behalf of another Bribery or extortion: Recently made illegal for Australian companies operating overseas (previously an allowable tax deduction) Appropriateness of activity or product ELEC4011 - Lecture 12: Global Issues
ELEC4011 - Lecture 12: Global Issues Technology transfer Often a cross-cultural ‘experiment’, hence specific obligations might apply: Economic and social development, sustainability Independence and national sovereignty Appropriate technology is sensitive to: Physical, social & environmental conditions Development issues such as education & self-reliance High-tech may not be best for less-developed countries ELEC4011 - Lecture 12: Global Issues
ELEC4011 - Lecture 12: Global Issues Environmental ethics Anthropocentric view: Duty to future generations: Inter-generation equity Consider environmental impacts in decision making: Cost-benefit assessment, environmental impact statements Prudent avoidance of risk Nature-centred view (in addition to the above): Duty of care to other species & the ecosystem: Sustainability through wardenship rather than ownership ELEC4011 - Lecture 12: Global Issues
ELEC4011 - Lecture 12: Global Issues Computer ethics Impact of computers on cultural balance: Consolidating English as the ‘international language’ Consolidating US culture as the ‘world culture’ Impact on competitiveness of poor countries: Automation in rich countries vs employment in poor ones Favours educated populations over uneducated ones Impact on business competitiveness: Favours multinational companies over local ones ELEC4011 - Lecture 12: Global Issues
ELEC4011 - Lecture 12: Global Issues Weapons Definition of a weapon in this context: Any means to unduly influence another person’s moral autonomy Ethical use of weapons: Only if this is the least-bad alternative as judged by an impartial observer Some attributes of a ‘just war’: Use weapons ethically, avoiding harm to non-combatants Set limited and achievable objectives Reinstate civil society on cessation of hostilities ELEC4011 - Lecture 12: Global Issues
The ethics of weapon development Arguments for weapons development: Duty to protect one’s country from aggression Benefits of weapons outweigh the costs Arguments against weapons development: Abuse of power by those possessing weapons: Particularly with respect to civilian populations Benefits don’t outweigh the costs: Long-term social breakdown & lawlessness International law against misuse of weapons: Geneva convention; disarmament agreements ELEC4011 - Lecture 12: Global Issues
Issues in weapons development Offensive versus defensive weapons: Is there a clear distinction? ‘arms races’: On-going competition to acquire the ‘best’ weapons Is disarmament a realistic option? International trade in weapons: Often selling to ‘both sides’ & to unethical regimes Impacts of weapons development: Significant social, economic & environmental costs ELEC4011 - Lecture 12: Global Issues
Weapons of mass destruction Kill indiscriminately in large numbers, e.g: Nuclear, chemical, biological Cold-war rationale for such weapons: Deterrence through ‘mutually assured destruction’ Problems with weapons of mass destruction: False detonation (eg Y2K) & other accidents Risk of falling into ‘unethical’ hands Centralised control & absence of ‘informed consent’ Environmental & social impacts (even if not used) ELEC4011 - Lecture 12: Global Issues
The engineer’s dilemma Engineering is now an international profession: Technical successes have had far-reaching impacts: Positive, e.g: electricity, communications, computing Negative, e.g: social impacts on poor & uneducated Engineers are usually employees or advisers rather than decision makers: Limited power & responsibility in large companies Nevertheless there are opportunities for influence: Without jeopardising career or family commitments ELEC4011 - Lecture 12: Global Issues
A positive role for engineers Choose career path & employer(s) with care: ethical applications of electrical engineering are likely to be rewarding Apply ethical principles in professional activities: Study the ethical implications of alternative options: Recommend those that offer better ethical outcomes Develop & exercise moral autonomy: Enhance ethical judgement through experience Support ethical behaviour by fellow engineers ELEC4011 - Lecture 12: Global Issues