What Every Engineer Should Know About Ethics

by Humphreys; Kenneth K.

• ISBN13: 9780824782085
• ISBN10: 0824782089
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 1999-07-07
• Publisher: CRC Press

Summary

This compact reference succinctly explains the engineering profession's codes of ethics using case studies drawn from decisions of the National Society of Professional Engineers' (NSPE) Board of Ethical Review, examining ethical challenges in engineering, construction, and project management. It includes study questions to supplement general engineering survey courses and a list of references to aid practicing engineers in exploring topics in depth. Concentrating primarily on situations engineers encounter on a daily basis and offering pragmatic answers to ethical questions, What Every Engineer Should Know About Ethics discusses recent headline-making disasters such as the Challenger explosion, the Chernobyl nuclear catastrophe, and the Hyatt-Regency Hotel collapse; considers the merits and drawbacks of professional codes of ethics; covers the application of the "committee approach" to specific cases; compares and contrasts ethical codes and personal values with alternative approaches to morality; defines professional licensing and registration and enumerates their prerequisites; outlines legal standards for liability; emphasizes the importance of communication, coordination, and documentation; includes a discussion of "whistleblowing;" defines the engineer's primary ethical responsibility; and more.

Table of Contents

Preface	iii
1 Problem-Solving in Engineering Ethics	1	(28)
Dr. Leonard Ferenz
Case Study	1	(1)
Introduction	2	(1)
Ethical Terms and Definitions	3	(4)
Professional Codes of Ethics for Engineers	7	(2)
Merits and Drawbacks of Professional Codes of Ethics	9	(3)
Alternative Approaches to Morality	12	(4)
Problem-Solving in Ethics	16	(6)
Applying the Committee Approach to Specific Cases	22	(2)
Concluding Thoughts: The Good and Bad of an Ethics Committee Approach to Morality	24	(1)
Study Questions	25	(1)
References	26	(3)
2 Defining Engineering Ethics	29	(8)
Black and White, or Gray?	29	(2)
The Code of Ethics of the National Society of Professional Engineers	31	(1)
Common Sense vs. the Fundamental Canons	32	(1)
The Scout Law	33	(1)
Study Questions	34	(3)
3 Ethical Technologies in Engineering, Construction,and Project Management	37	(12)
Dr. Peter J. Rutland
The Chernobyl Nuclear Disaster	37	(5)
Ethical Challenges in Engineering, Construction, and Project Management	42	(1)
Ethical Codes and Personal Values	43	(1)
The Ethical Frameworks	44	(1)
Ethical Technologies	45	(1)
Summary	45	(1)
Study Question	46	(1)
References	46	(3)
4 Continuing Professional Development in Engineering	49	(8)
Professional Engineering Licensing	49	(2)
Engineering Certification Programs	51	(4)
Study Questions	55	(2)
5 Professional Engineering Licensing and Registration Laws	57	(8)
What Is Professional Licensing or Registration?	57	(1)
What Are the Requirements for Licensing/Registration?	58	(2)
Ethics and the Law	60	(2)
Resolution of Ethical Issues and Complaints	62	(1)
Study Questions	63	(1)
References	64	(1)
6 The "Engineers Creed" and the "Order of the Engineer"	65	(8)
The Engineers Creed	65	(1)
The Order of the Engineer	66	(4)
The Fifty-Nine Story Crisis	70	(2)
Study Question	72	(1)
Reference	72	(1)
7 What Constitutes Professionalism?	73	(16)
The Real World of Engineering	73	(2)
Political Lobbying	75	(1)
Another Failed Bridge	76	(7)
Computer-Aided Nightmares	83	(1)
A Computer-Assisted Catastrophe	84	(2)
Study Problems	86	(1)
References	87	(2)
8 Working Within Your Discipline	89	(6)
Russell C. Lindsay
Engineers Wear Many Hats	89	(1)
Academic Knowledge and Experience	90	(1)
An Engineer is an Engineer, Right?	91	(1)
Conclusion	92	(1)
Study Question	93	(2)
9 Reasonable Safety vs. Foolproof Design	95	(14)
Russell C. Lindsay
Legal Standards for Liability	96	(1)
Identification of Hazards and "Designing Them Out"	97	(5)
Testing and Evaluation	102	(1)
Field Experience	103	(1)
Encouraging Proper Use	103	(1)
Communication, Coordination, and Documentation	104	(1)
Standards	105	(2)
Summary	107	(1)
Study Questions	107	(1)
References	108	(1)
10 Compensation and Employment Ethics	109	(12)
Russell C. Lindsay
Compensation Ethics	109	(4)
Employer Ethical Values	113	(5)
Study Questions	118	(1)
References	119	(2)
11 Ethics in Forensic (Legal) Consulting	121	(12)
Russell C. Lindsay
Careers in Forensic Engineering	121	(4)
Junk Engineering	125	(4)
Summary	129	(1)
Study Questions	129	(2)
References	131	(2)
12 Whistleblowing	133	(12)
What Is Whistleblowing?	133	(1)
When Should We Blow the Whistle?	134	(1)
The Consequences of Whistleblowing	135	(1)
The Challenger Disaster	135	(8)
Study Questions	143	(1)
References	143	(2)
13 International Ethics	145	(4)
Study Questions	148	(1)
References	148	(1)
14 The First Fundamental Canon and the Second Mile	149	(14)
The Engineer's Primary Ethical Responsibility	149	(2)
The Hyatt Regency Walkways Collapse: Ethical Issues of the Case	151	(8)
The Second Mile	159	(1)
A Comprehensive Study Question	159	(1)
References	160	(3)
15 Selected Case Studies	163	(52)
Introduction	163	(1)
Disclaimer	163	(1)
Public Health and Safety Case Studies	164	(22)
Conflict of Interest Cases	186	(9)
Ethical Trade Practices	195	(8)
International Ethics	203	(6)
Research Ethics	209	(5)
Additional BER Cases	214	(1)
Appendix: Engineering Codes of Ethics	215	(28)
Model Guide for Professional Conduct of the American Association of Engineering Societies	216	(2)
NSPE Code of Ethics for Engineers	218	(8)
Code of Ethics for the Project Management Profession	226	(2)
AACE International Canon of Ethics	228	(6)
American Society of Civil Engineers Code of Ethics	234	(7)
IEEE Code of Ethics	241	(2)
Index	243