1. Engineer and Society Module IX Regulating Professional Conducts

2. There are three ways to regulate professional conducts a) Self-Regulation Status b) Professional Autonomy c) Codes of Ethics

3. Self-Regulating Status Originated from English tradition of self-regulating professions such as in military, church, legal profession, civil services and medical profession Originated from English tradition of self-regulating professions such as in military, church, legal profession, civil services and medical profession These professions are called self- regulating professions as they place duty to the public above self interest These professions are called self- regulating professions as they place duty to the public above self interest

4. Self-Regulating Status By the mid nineteenth century, the essential characteristics of self-regulating professions are established as By the mid nineteenth century, the essential characteristics of self-regulating professions are established as A unique combination of knowledge and skills A commitment to duty above self-interest or personal gain Independence from external interference in the affairs of the profession The exclusive use of professional title Right to practice

5. Self-Regulating Status In our society, certain professions and occupations perform work activity of such a nature that if it is carried on in a negligent or fraudulent way, it can be dangerous to the public or contrary to the public interest. As a result, it has been the accepted practice to regulate the activities of groups such as doctors and nurses, engineers and lawyers, real estate and insurance brokers, carpenters and electricians. … Self-regulation is a privilege delegated to a professional or occupational group by the Legislature only when it is clear that the public can best be served by regulating the profession or occupation. Ref: Provincial Secretarys Department. Discussion Paper: Towards the Development of a Professions Policy for Saskatchewan. (1990). p.1.

6. Self-Regulating Status Criteria for determining whether a profession or occupation should be granted self-regulating status; Self regulating status is only granted in order to serve the public interest Self-regulating status is a privilege

7. Self-Regulating Status Self-regulating status means that There are professional bodies governing the conducts of their members Members of the professional bodies will be governed by the rules and regulations enacted by the bodies and disciplinary actions will be taken to members who breach the rules and regulation.

8. Professional Autonomy Autonomy means self-determining or independent Autonomy means self-determining or independent Professional autonomy can be viewed as the freedom to exercise their professional judgment - inclusive of right of professional conscience, right of conscientious refusal and right for recognition (mentioned in earlier module under Professional Rights) Professional autonomy can be viewed as the freedom to exercise their professional judgment - inclusive of right of professional conscience, right of conscientious refusal and right for recognition (mentioned in earlier module under Professional Rights)

9. Professional Autonomy Professional autonomy also implies moral autonomy. Professional autonomy also implies moral autonomy. Moral autonomy can be viewed as the skill and habit of thinking rationally about ethical issues on the basis of moral concern. Moral autonomy can be viewed as the skill and habit of thinking rationally about ethical issues on the basis of moral concern.

10. Professional Autonomy This foundation of moral concern derives primarily from a) Moral awareness – proficiency in recognizing moral problems and issues in engineering b) Cogent moral reasoning – comprehending, clarifying and assessing arguments on opposing sides of moral issues

11. Professional Autonomy This foundation of moral concern derives primarily from c) Moral coherence – forming consistent and comprehensive viewpoint based upon a consideration of relevant facts d) Moral imagination – Discerning alternative responses to moral issues and receptivity to creative solutions for practical difficulties

12. Professional Autonomy This foundation of moral concern derives primarily from e) Moral communication – Precision in the use of a common ethical language, a skill needed to express and support ones moral views adequately to others

13. Code of Ethics Code of ethics state the moral responsibilities of engineers as seen by the profession and as presented by a professional society Code of ethics state the moral responsibilities of engineers as seen by the profession and as presented by a professional society Because they express the professions collective commitment to ethics, codes are enormously important not only in stressing engineers responsibilities but also the freedom to exercise them. Because they express the professions collective commitment to ethics, codes are enormously important not only in stressing engineers responsibilities but also the freedom to exercise them.

14. Code of Ethics Codes of ethics have at least eight essential roles Codes of ethics have at least eight essential roles 1. Serving and protecting the public1. Serving and protecting the public 2. Guidance2. Guidance 3. Inspiration3. Inspiration 4. Shared standard4. Shared standard 5. Support for responsible professionals5. Support for responsible professionals 6. Education and mutual understanding6. Education and mutual understanding 7. Deterrence and Discipline7. Deterrence and Discipline 8. Contributing to the professions image8. Contributing to the professions image

15. Code of Ethics Limitations of Codes Limitations of Codes Unable to straightforwardly address all situationsUnable to straightforwardly address all situations Different codes might conflict with each otherDifferent codes might conflict with each other Different codes for different professional engineering societies will lead to relativityDifferent codes for different professional engineering societies will lead to relativity Codes are law – thus can be flawed, represent compromise between differing judgmentCodes are law – thus can be flawed, represent compromise between differing judgment