Ethics & Engineering Flashcards
Explain religious ethics.
- Originated in historic times
- Accepted in cultures across the world
- Divine being: God. God’s will = morally good
- Example: 10 Commandments in the Bible
Explain natural order.
- 1900s “secularisation”
- “examples in nature”
- evolutionary theory; hard to argue a “natural order”
Explain social contract.
- 1500s (and ancient times)
- Everyone has a desire to live in a functioning society
- “Rational selfishness”
- Rawls (1972): “hypothetical” social contract
- Basic rights
- Distribution of resources
Explain discourse ethics.
- 1980s
- Communicative rationality
- “Consensus process in ethical open discussions”
Explain virtue ethics.
- Aristotle (384-322 BC). Plato et al & resurge in 1980s.
- Act as a virtuous person (someone everyone looks up to)
- Classical virtues (justice, wisdom, courage, moderation)
- Hard to apply to specific cases
Explain utilitarianism.
Consequentialist. Non-personal.
Bentham (1789): “An introduction to the principles of morals and legislation”
- Classical (hedonistic) utilitarianism
- Maximisation of benefit (happiness)
- Everyone is equal (humans)
- Ethics depends on outcome (not intent)
- Action/inaction is just as bad/good
Singer (1993): Practical ethics
- Preference utilitarianism
- Fulfilment of preferen ces
- Everyone is equal (all living organisms)
- Relevant questions/controversies: human vs. animals; ethical to eat meat?
Calculations:
- Cost-benefit analysis
- Risk analysis
Explain deontology.
Kant (1785): “Groundwork for the metaphysics of morals”
- Categorical imperative: always act according to principles that you would be willing for everyone to follow
- Moral duties (non-negotiable)
- Independent of the outcome
Ross (1946): “The right and the good”
- Seven moral duties (prima facie duties): duty to help, duty to keep promises, duty to not harm, etc.
Williams (1973): “Ethical consistency”
- Residual duties for violated prima facie duties
Actual duties: duty all things considered
Explain the comparative approach.
Nilstun (1994): “Research ethics in care and medicine”
- Autonomy: right to self-determination
- Benefit: positive and negative consequences
- Justice: distribution of benefit and burden
- Consideration of all affected groups/stakeholders. Stakeholders do not have to be legal persons (wildlife, etc.)
- Analysis of ethical profits (+), neutral, losses (-). Actual or potential.
Draw the ethical principle (j) vs. Stakeholder (i) table.
j: autonomy, benefit, justice
i: local community, company/employees, environment, stakeholders, managers …
What is the Engineering NZ - Code of Ethical Conduct?
- Take reasonable steps to safeguard health and safety.
- Have regard to effects on environment.
- Report adverse consequences.
- Act competently.
- Behave appropriately.
- Inform others of consequences of not following advice.
- Maintain confidentiality.
- Report breach of Code.
Why do we still have unethical practice?
- Diffusion of responsibility
- Loyalty
- Lack of expertise
- Financial pressures
What are the three types of roles in Ethical Risk Analysis (ERA)?
- Beneficiary
- Decision maker
- Risk-exposed
Useful to draw a triple Venn diagram to compare the different cases (paternalism, maternalism, individualism, …)
Who are the stakeholders in paternalism?
- Beneficiary / Risk exposed
- Decision maker
E.g., parents, coma …
Who are the stakeholders in maternalism?
- Beneficiary
- Decision maker / Risk-exposed
E.g., Smokers - smoking company
Who are the stakeholders in externalities?
- Beneficiary / Decision maker
- Risk-exposed
E.g., Medical testing in Nazi C.C., passive smoking …
Who are the stakeholders in individualism?
- Beneficiary / Decision maker / Risk-exposed
E.g., skiiing
