Lecture 14 - Ethics Introduction

Question 1

What is Ethics? What are the two dimensions?

Answer 1

➢A moral dimension of Ethics
*Moral philosophy: Branch of philosophy that studies principles of right and wrong in human conduct (fr. L. Ethicus – customary behaviour) – the science of conduct.
* Set of guidelines: Models/frameworks constructed by society that direct/prescribe appropriate values and subsequent behaviours
* Often culturally determined (right or wrong in one culture may not be in another)

➢A normative dimension of Ethics
Asks the question: What is the right thing to do?
* Moral correctness based on personal values shaped by:
- Family
- Religion
- Experience
- Personal feelings on how we should treat people and the
environment as a whole

Question 2

Why ethics?

Answer 2

➢Moral awareness (i.e. Recognising moral issues);
➢Moral reasoning (i.e. assessing opposing arguments on moral issues);
➢Moral coherence (i.e. Forming consistent viewpoints based on facts);
➢Moral imagination (i.e. Look for alternative responses to moral issues);
➢Moral communication (i.e. Use of ethical language);
➢Moral reasonableness (i.e. The ability and willingness to be morally reasonable);
➢Respect for people (i.e. Genuine concern for the well-being of others and oneself);
➢Tolerance of diversity (i.e. Respect for ethnic and religious differences and acceptance of reasonable differences in moral perspectives);
➢Regulatory control
- Protection of workers, consumer, citizen, stakeholder and environment rights (relate to the concept of TBL).

Question 3

Why ethics in business?

Answer 3

➢Demonstrated successes
* New sustainable business engineering and project management models
* New paradigms (competition = coopetition) i.e. cooperative
competition & focus on relationship building throughout value chain
* Success involves long-term view, strong internal values driving behaviour, careful selection of compatible business partners, changes to technology, systems and processes consistent with above.

➢Sustainable development: “Meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”
Ethics and sustainable development are strongly related with respect to:
* Financial bottom line: (i.e. Make a profit while balancing the need for social, environmental, and natural resource balance);
* Social bottom line (i.e. Focus on society as a whole, not just shareholders);
* Environmental bottom line (i.e. controlling pollution and toxic emissions; preserve biological diversity);
* Natural resources (i.e. Conservation to the extent possible and search for substitutes for non-renewal resources).

Question 4

How is ethics defined in engineering?

Answer 4

The responsibilities and rights that ought to be endorsed
by those engaged in engineering, and also of desirable ideals and
personal commitments in engineering”

Question 5

What are the Engineering tasks/responsibilities and possible ethical problems

Answer 5

1. Conceptual task: i.e. To solve a problem/create an opportunity. Examples of possible problems: Unrealistic assumptions; untrue feasibility studies; violation of patents and/or trade secrets, test of prototype done only under most favourable conditions, not complete etc.;
2. Design: i.e. Specifications. Examples of possible problems: Design changes not carefully checked, lack of risk identification and management plan, etc.
3. Manufacture: i.e. Scheduling tasks, fabrications of parts, assembly/construction, quality control, testing. Examples of
   possible problems: Promise of unrealistic completion date; bribes, inadequate testing of purchased parts, etc.
4. Implementation: i.e. Monitoring social & environmental product/project effects. Examples of possible problems: No
   formal procedure for following project/product effects on society & environment, etc.;
5. Final task: i.e. Recycling/disposal. Examples of possible problems: Lack of attention to ultimate product disposal; fail to provide public notification of hazards, etc.

Question 6

What are some examples of ethical issues in engineering

Answer 6

*Intellectual property (IP) issues;
*Environmental ethics;
*Ethics and research;
*Risk management, safety and health issues;
*Gift giving, bribery and corruption;
*Whistle-blowing;
*Computer ethics;