What is Ethics? A system of moral principles, rules and standards of conduct With regard to professions, a code of professional standards, containing aspects of fairness and duty to the profession and the general public

Misconceptions Ethics is not something that good people need to worry too much about. Idealism is incompatible with realism. People concerned about ethics dismiss every pleasure and are just holier-than-thou. Principle subject matter of ethics is moral problems as opposed to the formation of habits of good character. If other people are not concerned, then it is acceptable. http://www.tcleose.state.tx.us/GuideInst/HTML/1007/01.%20Ethics.htm

Josephson’s Six Pillars of Character Trustworthiness Respect Responsibility Fairness Caring Citizenship http://www.charactercounts.org/defsix.htm

Questions to Ask & Answer What do I know? What do I need to know? What is my purpose?  What are my ethical concerns? What organizational policies and professional guidelines should I consider? How can I include other people, with different perspectives and diverse ideas, in the decision-making process? Who are the stakeholders -- those affected by my decision? What are their motivations? Which are legitimate? What if the roles were reversed? How would I feel if I were in the shoes of one of the stakeholders? What are the possible consequences of my actions? Short term? Long term? What are my alternatives to maximize my truthtelling responsibility and minimize harm? Can I clearly and fully justify my thinking and my decision? To my colleagues? To the stakeholders? To the public? http://www.poynter.org/column.asp?id=36&aid=4346

What are my choices? ACT Alternatives: identify all choices Consequences: project outcomes Tell your story: prepare defense http://www.tcleose.state.tx.us/GuideInst/HTML/1007/01.%20Ethics.htm

Approach 2 Stop And Think Clarify Goals Determine Facts Develop Options Consider Consequences Choose Monitor And Modify http://www.josephsoninstitute.org/MED/MED-4sevensteppath.htm

Types of Ethical Issues affecting Engineers Public Safety and Public Welfare Conflict of Interest Fair trading Practices International/Cross-Cultural Ethics Ethics and Research Plagiarism