1. BME / IHE 6010 Academic Engineering Integrity Engineering Ethics Dave Kender November 20, 2018

2. General Definition of Ethics
The study of the characteristics of morals.
The study of the moral choices made by each person in his or her relationships with other persons.
Reference: Engineering Ethics by Fleddermann

3. Personal vs. Professional Ethics
Personal Ethics:
Deals with how we treat others in our day-to-day lives.
Business/Professional Ethics:
Involves choices regarding relationships between organizations and other organizations, government, and groups of individuals.
The complexity of these relationships often pose dilemmas not encountered in personal ethics.
Reference: Engineering Ethics by Fleddermann

4. Engineering Ethics
The rules and standards which govern the conduct of engineers in their role as professionals.
Engineering ethics are similar to general ethics, but apply to the specific issues which affect engineering professionals.
Decisions made by engineers can impact public health, safety, business practices and politics and as a result engineers must be aware of moral implications as they make decisions in the workplace.
Reference: Engineering Ethics by Fleddermann

5. Engineering Ethics
Ethical problems in engineering are often complex and involve conflicting ethical principles. Engineers must be able to intelligent resolve these conflicts and reach a defensible decision
The study of ethics can help engineers to develop a moral autonomy:
The ability to think critically and independently about moral issues
The ability to apply this moral thinking to situations that arise in the course of professional engineering practice
Reference: Engineering Ethics by Fleddermann

6. Engineering Ethics Standards, Rules, Guidelines
Moral or Socially Approved Conduct
Honesty, Truthfulness, Trustworthiness
Acting in the best interest of society
Ethical Standards exist independently -
accessible to all rational thinkers
Codification merely summarizes, rather than defines
Applies only to conduct that has significant impact

7. Ethics vs. Legalities
Legal Standards are defined in legal documents by a properly appointed body. Legal documents and legal experts determine what the law is and who must obey the law.
Ethical Standards are assumed to exist independently of any sanctioning body and are apparent to rationale thinking. Written forms of the standards merely describe the pre- existing standards rather than define their very nature.
Ethical standards always supersede legal standards.

8. NCEES Model Rules of Professional Conduct
Preamble -
Safeguard life, health, and property
Promote the public welfare
Maintain high standards of integrity and practice
Issues -
Registration is a privilege not a right
Fair competition and avoid of conflict of interest
Rules -
Obligations to Society, Employers / Clients, other Engineers

9. Professional Engineering Web Resources
National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying
Ohio State Board of Registration for Professional Engineers and Surveyors
National Society of Professional Engineers
Ohio Society of Professional Engineers
American Society for Engineering Education