Ethics for Engineers

by Peterson, Martin

• ISBN13: 9780197798041
• ISBN10: 0197798047
• eBook ISBN(s): 9780197798058
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2025-01-15
• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• More Book Details

Author Biography

Martin Peterson is Professor of Philosophy and the Sue and Harry Bovay Professor of History and Ethics of Professional Engineering at Texas A&M University.

Table of Contents

List of Cases
Preface
Acknowledgements

Part I. What Is Engineering Ethics?
1. Introduction
2. Professional Code of Ethics
3. A Brief History of Engineering

Part II. Ethical Theories and the Methods of Applied Ethics
4. A Methodical Toolbox
5 Utilitarianism and Ethical Egoism
6. Duties, Virtues, and Rights

Part III. Key Issues in Engineering Ethics
7. Whistleblowing: Should You Ever Break with Protocol?
8. The Problem of Many Hands: Who Is Responsible for Wrongdoing and Who Deserves Credit for Success?
9. Cost-Benefit Analysis: Do the Ends Justify the Means?
10. Risk and Uncertainty: How Safe Is Safe Enough?
11. Conflicts of Interest: When Is It Permissible to Influence the Actions of Others?
12. Privacy: What Is It and Why Should It Be Protected?
13. International Engineering: Is Engineering Ethics Local or Global?

Part IV. Engineering and Society
14. Technology Assessments and Social Experiments
15. A Critical Attitude to Technology
16. The Ethics of Artifacts
17. Artificial Intelligence: Should We Align AI with Our Moral Values?
18. Sustainability

Appendix A: Professional Codes of Ethics
Appendix B: Essay Questions

Glossary
Index