Introduction Flashcards
What are engineering ethics?
- Recognizing ethical and legal issues
- Understanding Professional Code of Ethics
What does professional practice mean?
- Self-governance and social contract of discipline and enforcement
- Has a governing body and membership
What types of law are covered in this course? 3 types
- Torts and Contracts
- Employment and labour
- Intellectual property
What is the definition of ethics?
- The study of right/wrong, good/evil, and justice
What are normative (prescriptive) ethics?
- Provides a framework to discuss/analyze actions by examining moral properties of situations
What are the extremes of normative ethical theories?
Relativism and Absolutism/Universalism
Which theories is the Normative Ethical Theory composed of?
Virtue, Deontological Duty, and Consequentialist
What is the focus of the virtue ethical theory?
The agent or person performing the act (characteristics exhibited)
What is the focus of deontological ethical theory?
The act itself (action taken)
What is the focus of consequentialist ethical theory?
The consequences of the act (results)
What is virtue ethics concerned about?
Concerned with the type of person we should be and finding a balance between two extremes
What are the 4 cardinal virtues?
Courage, prudence (forethought and practicality), temperance and fortitude, and justice (truth and fairness)
What is deontological/rights ethics concerned about?
Individuals are entitled to fundamental rights: Life, liberty, and dignity
What is deontological/duty ethics concerned about?
Actions should be guided by moral laws derived from rational precepts (follow golden rules)
What is utilitarianism concerned about?
Cost-benefit and risk-benefit analysis to have maximum benefits possible
