1. Ethical Frameworks Engineering 185EW Winter 2011 Herrick Chang Slides extracted from Prof. Weltman’s Slides

2. 2 Ethical Philosophies Historical Ethical Theories – Rights Ethics – Duty Ethics – Virtue Ethics – Utilitarianism – Pragmatism Alternative Ethical Theories Attempts to systematize, rationalize and prescribe societal and personal ethical choices.

3. 3 Rights Ethics Fundamental Concepts – Human rights are basic – Rights are a fundamental human authority – Respect for rights is obligatory Types of Rights – Liberty Rights: Related primarily to individuals Concern non-interference and property protection – Welfare Rights Related primarily to collections of people Concern for others within a moral community Rights include benefits under contracts and promises Examples – Declaration of Independence – Constitution and Bill of Rights – Modern Rights: Privacy, education, safety, health care, etc.

4. 4 Duty Ethics Fundamental Concepts – Duties are basic – Mirror image of rights -- for every right, a duty – Emphasis on what we owe to others Related Issues – Unification principles Autonomy – Governing one’s own life morally Universality – Principles apply equally to all people Respect -- Other peoples’ desires, needs, efforts – Lists of basic duties (Kant and others) Examples – The Decalogue – Code of Chivalry – Cadet Honor Code – Professional Codes (Engineering, Medicine & Others)

5. 5 Virtue Ethics Fundamental Concepts – Essential virtues are desirable as Attitudes, emotions & motives Guides to conduct – Being a virtuous person Related Issues – Evolution of virtues – Association with societal classes

6. 6 Utilitarianism Fundamental Concepts – Most good for the most people – Balance of good vs. bad consequences – Maximization of net good Related Principles – Rule-Utilitarianism Rules determine acts Act on those rules that produce most good, etc. – Act-Utilitarianism Actions supercede rules Chose action that produce most good, etc. Use rules as guidelines and not as absolutes Examples – Cars: Speed & Convenience vs. Safety & Economy – Air and Water Pollution: Public Health vs. Industrial Costs – Genetic Engineering: Medical Benefits vs. Risks & Morality

7. 7 Pragmatism Fundamental Concepts – Context – In which facts and values must be balanced – Flexibility – In integrating and harmonizing competing values – Analysis -- Ethical reasoning vs. fixed rules or ideals Related Principles – Guidance in methods of analytical thought – Warnings of negative consequences Case Solutions – Cases are concrete dilemmas – with differing moral/ethical opinions – Emphasizing principles often leads to accentuation of differences – Emphasizing particulars over principles often leads to pragmatic reconciliation of differences – Didn’t we earlier say the opposite with regard to the Golden Rule? “A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds.” Ralph Waldo Emerson “A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds.” Ralph Waldo Emerson