Lecture 17 - Code of Ethics

Question 1

Define ethical dilemmas and define the process for moral judgement

Answer 1

Ethical dilemmas arise in engineering (and other professions), as moral values are many and varied and can make competing claims;
➢Ethical dilemmas: Situations in which moral reasons come into conflict or when the application of moral values are unclear;
➢Moral judgement is then required;
➢Moral judgement: Is a process where the formulation of the 1) “moral problem”, 2) possible ‘‘solutions’’, and 3) the “ethical judging of these solutions” are interlinked.

Question 2

What is the steps of the ethical cycle?

Answer 2

1. Case
2. Moral problem statement: i.e. Precise/specific formulation
3. Problem analysis: Clear identification of relevant elements
   i.e. a) stakeholders; b) moral values involved; c) relevant facts
4. Options for action i.e. All possible options be identified (thinking
   creatively is essential)
5. Ethical judgement: i.e. Thorough application of moral concepts, ethical theories, models and frameworks;
6. Reflection: i.e. Reflect on the outcome of previous stage
7. Morally accepted action/s: i.e. Is/Are chosen to solve the case/ethical dilemma.

Question 3

What are the code of ethics?

Answer 3

➢Engineering has a direct impact on the quality of life for all people. Subsequently engineers should maintain: Honesty and integrity, impartiality, fairness and equity, and must be dedicated to the
protection of the public health, safety and welfare;

➢Engineers must perform under a standard of professional behaviour and adhere to highest principles of ethical conduct. Hence, code of ethics for engineers;

➢Code of ethics defined: “Code of ethics state the moral responsibilities of engineers as seen by the profession and as represented by a professional society”, (Schinzinger et al., 2010);

➢“Values and principles that shape the decisions we make in engineering practice”;

➢In essence, a code of ethics functions as a commitment by the profession as a whole, that engineers 7will serve the public health, safety and welfare.

Question 4

What are the 8 roles of code of ethics for engineers?

Answer 4

1. Serving and protecting the public: Engineering involves advanced expertise that professionals have and the public lacks. Accordingly, professionals stand in a fiduciary relationship with the public: Trust and trustworthiness are essential.
2. Guidance: Codes provide helpful guidance by articulating the main obligations of engineers.
3. Inspiration: Since codes express a profession’s collective commitment to ethics, they provide a positive stimulus (motivation) for ethical conduct. In a powerful way, they voice what it means to be a member of a profession committed to responsible conduct in promoting the safety, health, and welfare of the public
4. Shared standards: The diversity of moral viewpoints among individual engineers makes it essential that professions establish explicit standards, in particular minimum (but high) standards. In this way, the public is assured of a standard of excellence on which it can depend, and professionals are provided a fair playing field in competing for clients.
5. Support for responsible professionals: Codes give positive support to professionals seeking to act ethically. A publicly proclaimed code allows an engineer, under pressure to act unethically, to say: “I am
   bound by the code of ethics of my profession, which states that…..”.
6. Education and mutual understanding: Codes encourage a shared understanding among professionals, the public, and government organizations about the moral responsibilities of engineers.
7. Deterrence and discipline: Codes can serve as the formal basis for investigating unethical conduct. Professional societies do suspend or expel members whose professional conduct has been proven
   unethical, and this alone can be a powerful sanction when combined with the loss of respect from colleagues, and the local community that such action is bound to produce.
8. Contributing to the profession’s image: Codes can present a positive image to the public of an ethically committed profession. The reputation of a profession, like the reputation of an individual
   professional, is essential in sustaining the trust of the public.

Question 5

What are the 3 limits of codes?

Answer 5

➢No substitute for individual responsibilities in dealing with real world ethical dilemmas;
➢Codes may include only general wording leaving areas of vagueness;
➢Despite the value of guiding professional conduct, codes are not always the complete and final word.