Hold Paramount The Engineer’s Responsibility to Society

by Gunn, Alastair S.; Vesiland, P. Aarne

• ISBN13: 9780534392581
• ISBN10: 053439258X
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2002-10-07
• Publisher: CL Engineering

Summary

Alastair S. Gunn and P. Aarne Vesilind provide students with practical insight into the engineering code of ethics and how a practicing engineer is obligated to act in a responsible manner. To illustrate the complexities involved with acting in an ethical fashion, the authors have created characters that encounter a number of situations that test the engineering code of ethics. The dialog between these characters highlights different perspectives of realistic situations that students will face as practicing engineers. As they proceed through the book, students see how the code can help in decision making, as well as the implications of various decisions. The philosophical theory that supports the ethical positions encountered is presented as boxed material following each section.

Author Biography

Alastair S. Gunn is an Associate Professor and Chair of the Department of Philosophy, University of Waikato, Hamilton, New Zealand, he teaches and researches several areas of applied ethics. He is also Associate Dean for e-learning in the faculty of arts and social sciences.

Table of Contents

Preface	xi
About this Book: A Note to the Instructor	xiii
Doing the right thing	1	(9)
Deception I	2	(1)
Keeping Promises	3	(1)
Doing the Right Thing	4	(2)
Theft of Music	6	(1)
Obligation to Strangers	7	(1)
Moral Rules	8	(2)
Discussion Questions	8	(2)
The engineering profession	10	(15)
On Being a Professional	11	(1)
Technical Expertise and Ethical Obligations	12	(1)
Organization of Professional Engineering	12	(2)
Can We Afford to Be Ethical?	14	(1)
Engineering Codes of Ethics	14	(1)
Can a Person Stop Being an Engineer?	15	(1)
Codes of Ethics and the Environment	16	(2)
Ethically Right for Me? I	18	(1)
Ethical Theories as Decision-Making Models	19	(6)
Discussion Questions	22	(3)
Enhance human welfare	25	(6)
Moral Responsibilities of Engineers	27	(1)
Engineering and Terrorism	28	(1)
Engineers as Intelligent Robots	29	(2)
Discussion Questions	29	(2)
Hold paramount	31	(25)
Why Can't Ethicists Be as Efficient as Engineers?	32	(1)
Medical Ethics	33	(2)
Legal Ethics	35	(1)
Jokes about Engineers	36	(1)
Engineers Working Together	37	(1)
A Technical Challenge	38	(3)
Engineering Qualifications	41	(1)
Factors of Safety	41	(2)
Engineering Triumphs	43	(1)
Engineering Failures	44	(2)
Engineers as Managers	46	(2)
Acceptable Risk	48	(3)
Decision Making: Technical and Ethical Aspects	51	(2)
Consulting with Colleagues	53	(3)
Discussion Questions	54	(2)
Safety of the public	56	(21)
The Moral Status of Animals	56	(2)
Ethical and Legal Obligations	58	(1)
Ethical Dilemmas I	59	(1)
Calculating the Value of Life	59	(1)
Fix Up Your Organization Ethically?	60	(2)
Whistle-Blowing I	62	(1)
Whistle-Blowing II	63	(3)
Disaster in Kansas City	66	(3)
Options	69	(1)
Ethically Right for Me? II	70	(1)
Trusting the Experts	71	(1)
Deception II	71	(1)
Confidentiality	72	(1)
Moral Development of Engineers	73	(4)
Discussion Questions	74	(3)
Professional development	77	(6)
Tenure in Engineering Schools	78	(2)
Famous Engineers in History	80	(1)
Networking	81	(2)
Discussion Questions	82	(1)
Solicit or accept gratuities	83	(6)
Deception III	83	(2)
Corporate Gift Policies	85	(4)
Discussion Questions	87	(2)
Self-laudatory language	89	(3)
Advertising I	89	(3)
Advertising II	90	(1)
Discussion Questions	91	(1)
Contributions in order to secure work	92	(12)
Competitive Bidding	92	(3)
Bribery and the Law	95	(2)
When in Rome	97	(1)
Ethical Dilemmas II	98	(2)
Human Rights I	100	(4)
Discussion Questions	102	(2)
Professional development of others	104	(15)
The Existential Pleasures of Engineering I	104	(1)
The Existential Pleasures of Engineering II	105	(2)
Engineering and Armaments	107	(3)
Vegetarianism	110	(1)
Reverence for Life	111	(1)
The Ethics of Asking and the Ethics of Giving	112	(3)
Maintaining the Quality of Engineering Education	115	(1)
Affirmative Action	116	(3)
Discussion Questions	117	(2)
Overseas work	119	(8)
Environmental Racism	121	(2)
Human Rights II	123	(2)
Politicians and Their Reputations	125	(2)
Discussion Questions	125	(2)
Uphold the honor and dignity	127	(4)
Manners	127	(2)
Workplace Harassment	129	(2)
Discussion Questions	130	(1)
Faithful agents	131	(5)
Loyalty to an Employer	133	(3)
Discussion Questions	135	(1)
Avoid conflicts of interest	136	(13)
Safety	137	(2)
Professional Registration	139	(1)
Conflict of Interest I	140	(2)
Conflict of Interest II	142	(4)
Why Be A Good Engineer?	146	(3)
Discussion Questions	147	(2)
Objective and truthful manner	149	(5)
Professional Respect	150	(1)
Engineers and the Media	151	(3)
Discussion Questions	152	(2)
Epilogue	154