2. Why do “they” require ethics for accredited undergraduate engineering programs? 2 (a) an ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, science, and engineering (b) an ability to design and conduct experiments, as well as to analyze and interpret data (c) an ability to design a system, component, or process to meet desired needs within realistic constraints such as economic, environmental, social, political, ethical, health and safety, manufacturability, and sustainability (d) an ability to function on multidisciplinary teams (e) an ability to identify, formulate, and solve engineering problems (f) an understanding of professional and ethical responsibility (g) an ability to communicate effectively (h) the broad education necessary to understand the impact of engineering solutions in a global, economic, environmental, and societal context (i) a recognition of the need for, and an ability to engage in life-long learning (j) a knowledge of contemporary issues (k) an ability to use the techniques, skills, and modern engineering tools necessary for engineering practice.

3. What do we hope to accomplish? We’re not here to make you more “ethical” Our purpose today is to: 1. raise your awareness of codes of ethics for engineers 2. increase your ability to recognize ethical dilemmas 3. provide you with practical strategies to address those dilemmas 4. get you thinking about ethical dimensions of your team projects 3

4. Consider how you might draw a Venn diagram showing a relationship between : PROFESSIONAL ETHICS PERSONAL MORALITY; PERSONAL BELIEFS LAW How much do they overlap?

5. What would it indicate if your Venn diagram looks like this? ?

6. A profession is defined as: A vocation founded upon specialized educational training, the purpose of which is to supply objective counsel and service to others, for a direct and definite compensation, wholly apart from expectation of other business gain Professional engineers take the notion of “service to others” seriously; they hold themselves to a higher standard than the law. 6

7. To help individuals understand their professional obligations, many professions adopt a Code of Ethics – and within engineering, there are specialized codes for different disciplines. 7

8. What are the Fundamental Canons in the National Society of Professional Engineers Code of Ethics?

9. Preamble Engineering is an important and learned profession. As members of this profession, engineers are expected to exhibit the highest standards of honesty and integrity. Engineering has a direct and vital impact on the quality of life for all people. Accordingly, the services provided by engineers require honesty, impartiality, fairness, and equity, and must be dedicated to the protection of the public health, safety, and welfare. Engineers must perform under a standard of professional behavior that requires adherence to the highest principles of ethical conduct. I. Fundamental Canons Engineers, in the fulfillment of their professional duties, shall: Hold paramount the safety, health, and welfare of the public. Perform services only in areas of their competence. Issue public statements only in an objective and truthful manner. Act for each employer or client as faithful agents or trustees. Avoid deceptive acts. Conduct themselves honorably, responsibly, ethically, and lawfully so as to enhance the honor, reputation, and usefulness of the profession.

10. Do you see any potential conflicts for an engineer trying to adhere to the NSPE Code of Ethics?

11. Consider the case of the flaw in the Intel Pentium Chip. In 1994 about 80% of personal computers used the Intel Pentium microprocessor. A flaw in the integrated circuit occasionally produced incorrect answers -- even for common computer operations. Intel decided that the defect was insignificant and that a majority of users would not notice it. They continued to sell the flawed chip until stocks were exhausted. 11

12. In the Pentium case, uncertainty about the significance of the defect was weighed against the cost of acknowledging and correcting the flaw. 12

13. Is the Intel Pentium case an ethical dilemma? Does the NSPE Code of Ethics help us resolve the dilemma? How easy is the resolution?

14. The NSPE Code of Ethics is a baseline: consider it first, but realize that sometimes you may need more than a code.

15. A complex ethical dilemma is one in which there is no clear best solution, because no matter what option one decides to take to resolve the dilemma, someone stands to be negatively affected. You may be facing an ethical dilemma when... You are trying to make a decision that will have negative impacts. Ambiguities and uncertainties about levels of risk cloud your decision-making process. You feel your job (or your grade) may be in danger. You feel under time pressure to make a decision quickly.

16. When confronted with a complex ethical dilemma, you may need both the NSPE Code of Ethics AND some ethical tests.

17. Universality test: if everyone confronted with this problem were to make this decision, would that be the greatest good for the greatest number of people? 17

18. Reversibility test: Would I still think the choice of this option is good if I or someone I loved were one of those adversely affected by it? Consequentialist test: What are both the short and lonterm consequences of my decision? Are the negative consequences justly distributed, or are they disproportionately borne by only one social group? The “Chump” paradox: Am I doing this unethical thing just because I think everyone else is cheating too? Do I feel I need to do this just to compete in an unethical business environment? Am I rationalizing that if I don’t do it, they’ll get someone else who will? 18

19. The NSPE Code and these ethical tests can help you avoid some common pitfalls....

20. Why not use a simple cost-benefit analysis? NSPE Code of Ethics Utilitarian Test Respect for Persons Test Reversibility Test Universality Test

21. “I’m not sure this decision poses a very serious risk; the risk to my job is more serious.” Case: Company policy: need three reliable “test to failure” tests; the third test is unreliable. Time pressure.

22. Practical strategies: Consult the online NSPE Board of Ethical Review cases – very likely, another engineer has faced a similar situation. Write down your situation, the different stakeholders, options you’ve considered, applicability of the Code of Ethics, and any relevant moral tests. (Write out your reasons for your decision – writing can clarify thinking and can help if you are questioned later!) Call the designated ethics and safety officer in your company, or call your Professional Society’s ethics hotline for advice. Talk to an experienced person in the company, and be sure this is someone you can trust not to misrepresent your conversation to others. Think about whether and when to make your concerns known to your immediate supervisor, and HOW: Can you have a conversation? Can you send an email? Which of these is more likely to help you maintain trust? 22

23. The online Ethics Quiz will have a case and several multiple- choice questions related to this lecture. Now let’s see if you can apply anything you’ve learned about ethics today to your own projects... What are some relevant ethical dimensions of your projects? Wrap-up: applying ethics.