Engineering Ethics Prof. Rick Vaz EE 2799 April 30, 2004

Decisions in Engineering Through the Years 1978: Ford sells “Pinto” despite known design problem with gas tank—hundreds die 1978: Ford sells “Pinto” despite known design problem with gas tank—hundreds die 1984: Union Carbide ignores Bhopal safety procedures—2000 die, 200,000 injured 1984: Union Carbide ignores Bhopal safety procedures—2000 die, 200,000 injured 1986: Challenger launched in cold despite O-ring concerns—crew dies, $ billions spent, space program derailed 1986: Challenger launched in cold despite O-ring concerns—crew dies, $ billions spent, space program derailed

What ethical problems do you expect to face as an engineer?

What ethical problems do you face now, as an engineering student?

More Decisions Through the Years 2004: Student uses pirated software 2004: Student uses pirated software 2004: Student copies homework assignment 2004: Student copies homework assignment 2005: Student plagiarizes part of IQP 2005: Student plagiarizes part of IQP 2006: Student signs MQP report despite not doing fair share of work—partners cover for him 2006: Student signs MQP report despite not doing fair share of work—partners cover for him 2006: WPI grants student BSEE 2006: WPI grants student BSEE 2006: Raytheon hires student to design Air Traffic Control Systems 2006: Raytheon hires student to design Air Traffic Control Systems

A Context for Today’s Discussion Your “professional career” has already begun Your “professional career” has already begun You are already expressing your ethical standards. They are what you do. You are already expressing your ethical standards. They are what you do. Personal and professional ethics are distinct, but interconnected Personal and professional ethics are distinct, but interconnected Engineering ethics is not just “doing the right thing”, it’s making tough decisions about ambiguous things Engineering ethics is not just “doing the right thing”, it’s making tough decisions about ambiguous things

Some Difficult Questions When is a lie justified? When is a lie justified? When is it OK to break the law? When is it OK to break the law? When do the ends justify the means? When do the ends justify the means? When does public interest override profit? When does public interest override profit? Will you be a whistleblower? Will you be a whistleblower?

A Simple Google Search Reveals: Online Ethics Center for Engineering & Science Online Ethics Center for Engineering & Science National Institute for Engineering Ethics National Institute for Engineering Ethics NSPE Engineering Ethics website NSPE Engineering Ethics website IEEE (and many others) Code of Ethics IEEE (and many others) Code of Ethics Web Clearinghouse for Engineering and Computing Ethics Web Clearinghouse for Engineering and Computing Ethics Course and resource pages at many universities (ABET requirement) Course and resource pages at many universities (ABET requirement)

Core Ethical Values (NIEE) Integrity: good judgment, adherence to principles Integrity: good judgment, adherence to principles Honesty: truthfulness, fairness, sincerity Honesty: truthfulness, fairness, sincerity Fidelity: to clients, to the public trust, to employer, to the profession Fidelity: to clients, to the public trust, to employer, to the profession Charity: kindness, caring, good will, tolerance, compassion/mercy, adherence to the Golden Rule Charity: kindness, caring, good will, tolerance, compassion/mercy, adherence to the Golden Rule Responsibility: reliability/dependability, accountability, trustworthiness Responsibility: reliability/dependability, accountability, trustworthiness Self-Discipline: acting with restraint, not indulging in excessive behavior Self-Discipline: acting with restraint, not indulging in excessive behavior

IEEE Code of Ethics “We, the members of the IEEE, in recognition of the importance of our technologies in affecting the quality of life throughout the world, and in accepting a personal obligation to our profession, its members and the communities we serve, do hereby commit ourselves to the highest ethical and professional conduct and agree: 1. to accept responsibility in making engineering decisions consistent with the safety, health and welfare of the public, and to disclose promptly factors that might endanger the public or the environment; 2. to avoid real or perceived conflicts of interest whenever possible, and to disclose them to affected parties when they do exist; 3. to be honest and realistic in stating claims or estimates based on available data; 4. to reject bribery in all its forms;

IEEE Code of Ethics, cont’d 5. to improve the understanding of technology, its appropriate application, and potential consequences; 6. to maintain and improve our technical competence and to undertake technological tasks for others only if qualified by training or experience, or after full disclosure of pertinent limitations; 7. to seek, accept, and offer honest criticism of technical work, to acknowledge and correct errors, and to credit properly the contributions of others; 8. to treat fairly all persons regardless of such factors as race, religion, gender, disability, age, or national origin; 9. to avoid injuring others, their property, reputation, or employment by false or malicious action; 10. to assist colleagues and co-workers in their professional development and to support them in following this code of ethics.”

Real-World Ethical Problems “In theory, there’s no difference between theory and practice. In practice, there is.” Yogi Berra “In theory, there’s no difference between theory and practice. In practice, there is.” Yogi Berra Rarely is there clear “right” or “wrong” Rarely is there clear “right” or “wrong” Often you are choosing between competing interests, both of which matter Often you are choosing between competing interests, both of which matter

“Ethics as Design”—Caroline Whitbeck Analyzing the situation is not enough Analyzing the situation is not enough You must do something that resolves the issue You must do something that resolves the issue Ethical problems require practical design Ethical problems require practical design Constraints, objectives, criteria Constraints, objectives, criteria There may not even be a “solution” There may not even be a “solution” Usually, there are many Usually, there are many There is no unique “right answer” There is no unique “right answer” There are plenty of “bad answers” There are plenty of “bad answers” Some answers are better than others Some answers are better than others

Designing a Solution Define the problem Define the problem What’s known? What’s ambiguous? What’s known? What’s ambiguous? Explore solutions Explore solutions Brainstorm—go beyond the obvious Brainstorm—go beyond the obvious Consider criteria Consider criteria Moral standards, professional standards, laws Moral standards, professional standards, laws Consider consequences Consider consequences Professional, personal, legal, moral Professional, personal, legal, moral

Example Moral Standard: The Categorical Imperative ( Immanuel Kant, ) “Act only according to that maxim whereby you can at the same time will that it should become a universal law.”

Using the Categorical Imperative to Judge an Action Convert the action to a principle Convert the action to a principle Would it be logical for you to want everyone to follow that principle? Would it be logical for you to want everyone to follow that principle? Yes—action is moral Yes—action is moral No—action is immoral No—action is immoral Kant’s favorite examples Kant’s favorite examples Suicide Suicide False promises False promises Failing to develop one’s abilities Failing to develop one’s abilities Refusing to be charitable Refusing to be charitable

Case Study: Pirated Software on College Campuses 2/3 of college students report that they would download pirated software 2/3 of college students report that they would download pirated software 93% claim to endorse IP rights and legitimate software development 93% claim to endorse IP rights and legitimate software development

HOW U. OF FLORIDA HAS REDUCED FILE SHARING First-time offenders: 3,123 Punishment: Disconnected from campus network for 30 minutes Number of second-time offenders: 334 Punishment: Disconnected from campus network for 5 days Number of third-time offenders: 37 Punishment: Must report to the Student Judicial Affairs office Chronicle of Higher Education April 16, 2004 April 16, 2004

RIAA Sues 477 For Illegal Downloads Accused include 69 students at 14 colleges Accused include 69 students at 14 colleges Chronicle of Higher Education Chronicle of Higher Education April 16, 2004 April 16, 2004 RIAA Sues 532 for Illegal Downloads Accused include 89 students at 21 colleges Accused include 89 students at 21 colleges Chronicle of Higher Education Chronicle of Higher Education April 2, 2004 April 2, 2004

Some Questions for Discussion Is it wrong to use and/or distribute copyrighted music? Why, or why not? Is it wrong to use and/or distribute copyrighted music? Why, or why not? Is copyrighted software any different? Why or why not? Is copyrighted software any different? Why or why not? Is this any different than stealing hardware? Why or why not? Is this any different than stealing hardware? Why or why not?