1. Methodology for Analyzing Ethics Case Studies Part 1

2. Ethical Dilemmas – The Problem  There is no methodical solution!  We engineers must adapt…  Let’s Visualize: Conceptual Questions Moral Questions Factual Questions

3.  Disagreement over meaning of terms  Variation in understanding and definition of concepts  Items such as:  What constitutes confidential information  What is a bribe?  What should be ‘proprietary information’?  What defines ‘safe’, ‘clean’, etc.?  Even if we agree on the definition of a term, do we agree on the application?  Example: I define a ‘relaxed morning’ as waking up without the alarm around 5:30 or 6:00 am, sipping coffee, and watching the birds eat out of the feeder. Do you? Conceptual Questions

4.  We may disagree over how a person or action should be evaluated  When is it ok to favor a particular supplier?  At what point do you bring a concern to your supervisor?  In what manner do you bring up this concern?  Example: I design my state of the art dog biscuit dispenser to ONLY use Canidae Snap Biscuits (Sage and Shilah’s favorites). Is that acceptable? Moral Questions

5.  A factual question or issue is one that deals directly with the facts  It is relevant to the moral problem at hand  It is controversial or at least not yet resolved  The question becomes what is more appropriate in the face of factual uncertainty  Example: The automatic chainsaw may not automatically shut off when dropped. Do we assume this is ok, tell the public, redesign at significant cost, etc.? Factual Questions

6. Team Case Study 1: The Challenger Disaster  We begin with the first Team Case Study of the class: The Space Shuttle Challenger Disaster  Your first aspect of the Case Study will be to get to know a bit about your teammates  You must work together effectively in our online environment  Your second task will be to apply the pieces of the pie to the Challenger Disaster  Have Fun! Conceptual Questions Moral Questions Factual Questions