Ethics & Professionalism

Question 1

What is ethics?

Answer 1

The term ‘Ethics’ is often used to refer to right and wrong in the workplace

Question 2

What is normative ethics?

Answer 2

concerned with the systems of moral principles and rules of conduct for the behaviour of groups

Question 3

What are Morals vs Ethics vs Law?

Answer 3

Morals:

• Person’s own principles regarding right or wrong
• Influence by religion/personal philosophy, Family etc

Ethics:

• Correct conduct for a group of people
• Professions have guidelines on ethics

Law:
- Rules laid out by government/ruling body

Question 4

Does morality, law and ethics conflict?

Answer 4

• If you are moral you can be ethical
• If you are moral you can abide the law
• –Morals can be converted to law sometimes
• If your are ethical you can abide the law
• –Some laws are made with ethics as a guiding principle

Question 5

What does law affect?

Answer 5

The morality of people

Question 6

What does being ethical earn you?

Answer 6

Enemies

Question 7

What must one have in order to claim that one has personal morals?

Answer 7

Ethics

Question 8

What can one not completely detach oneself from?

Answer 8

• The actions you take at work

- The products you produce

Question 9

What are our ethical responsibilities as engineers to society?

Answer 9

• Responsible engineers cannot sit back and claim that they are detached from other human concerns.
• Engineers should practice their trade in a socially responsible and moral manner.
• The role of engineers is and always was to “meddle” – however, our meddling must be beneficial and not harmful.
• Harm must be mitigated

Question 10

Can technology be ethically neutral?

Answer 10

No

Question 11

What are machines designed for?

Answer 11

To meet a purpose without the machine having a purpose on its own

Question 12

What is the code of ethics for competency?

Answer 12

(a) must discharge their duties to their employers, clients, associates and the public
effectively with skill, efficiency, professionalism,
knowledge, competence, due care and diligence
(b) may not undertake or offer to undertake work
of a nature for which their education, training and experience have not rendered them competent to perform
(c) must, when carrying out work, engage in and
adhere to acceptable practices.

Question 13

What is the code of ethics for Integrity?

Answer 13

(a) must discharge their duties to their employers, clients, associates and the public with integrity, fidelity and honesty;
(b)must not undertake work under conditions or terms that would compromise their ability to carry out their responsibilities in accordance with acceptable professional standards;
(c) must not engage in any act of dishonesty, corruption or bribery;
…
(e) may not, either directly or indirectly, receive any gratuity, or commission or other financial benefit on any article or process used in or for the purpose of the
work in respect of which they are
employed, unless such gratuity,
commission or other financial benefit has been authorised in writing by the employer or client concerned;

Question 14

What is the code of ethics for Environment?

Answer 14

Registered Persons must at all times -
(a)have due regard for, and in their work avoid, adverse
impact on the environment; and
(b) adhere to generally accepted principles of sustainable
development.

Question 15

What is the code of ethics for Public Interest?

Answer 15

(a) must at all times have due regard and priority to public health, safety and interest;
(b) must when providing professional advice to a client or employer, and if such advice is not accepted, inform such client or employer of any consequences which may be detrimental to the public health, safety or interests and at the same time inform the Council of their action;
(c) must without delay notify Council if they become aware of any person who has been declared medically unfit by a registered medical practitioner to practise as a Registered Person.

Question 16

What is the code of ethics for Dignity of the Profession?

Answer 16

(a)must order their conduct so as to uphold th
Standing and reputation of the profession;
(b)may not, whether practicing their profession or otherwise, knowingly injure the professional reputation or business of any other Registered Person;
(c) must provide work or services of quality and scope, and to a level, which is commensurate with accepted standards and practices in the profession

Question 17

What is the code of ethics Administrative?

Answer 17

(a)may not without satisfactory reasons destroy or dispose
of, or knowingly allow any other person to destroy or dispose of, any information within a period of 10 years after completion of the work concerned;
(b) may not place contracts or orders, or be the medium of
payments, on their employer’s or client’s behalf without the written authority of the employers or Clients

Question 18

What is an expert’s job?

Answer 18

To collect data. They do have to make judgments on what is of central importance and what can be neglected.

Question 19

What is the difference between a profession and an occupation?

Answer 19

PROFESSION
Extensive training and Specialised knowledge
Like doctors, engineers, advocates, journalists

OCCUPATION
Doesn’t necessarily require extensive training
Not paid for their knowledge, but for what they PRODUCE
Like drivers, clerks, technicians

Question 20

What is the profession responsible for?

Answer 20

The profession is responsible, on behalf of society, for testing the competence of practitioners, regulating standards and maintaining discipline

Question 21

What is professional indemnity?

Answer 21

Protection of employee engineers acting in good faith and honestly