Module 8 - Ethics and the Code of Ethics

Question 1

Philosophy

Answer 1

the study of the fundamental problems of puzzles of human existence.

Question 2

Five main branches of philosophy

Answer 2

Ethics, Logic, Epistemology, Metaphysics, Aesthetics.

Question 3

Ethics

Answer 3

is the study of right and wrong, good and evil, justice and social and political ideals.

Question 4

Logic

Answer 4

is the study of reason.

Question 5

Epistemology

Answer 5

is the study of knowledge.

Question 6

Metaphysics

Answer 6

is the study of existence and reality.

Question 7

Aesthetics

Answer 7

is the study of beauty and enjoyment

Question 8

Ethics (Long definition)

Answer 8

the beliefs of a society or a group as to what is right and wrong within the context of that society or group. Ethics are therefore external to us as individuals; they are determined by and enforced by a group. Ethics are the ideals that we strive towards and the ideals against which our behaviours are measured by others.

Question 9

Morals

Answer 9

are beliefs about what is right and wrong that are internally determined. We use our morals every day with every behaviour decision that we make.

Question 10

Laws

Answer 10

re-written rules created by and enforced by the authority of a government and the courts. Breaking a law carries with it a specific tangible penalty imposed by the law enforcement arm of the government.

Question 11

Justice

Answer 11

is the concept of what is fair and equitable. When something is just, it is deserved. Others who have behaved the same way, either good or bad, have received the same treatment or the same outcome.

Question 12

Three Types of Ethical Statements

Answer 12

Moral Statements. Factual Statements. Conceptual Statements.

Question 13

Factual statements

Answer 13

are either true or false. They can be either confirmed or refuted by observation. In discussing factual disagreements, appeal is made to factual or empirical considerations.

Question 14

Conceptual statements

Answer 14

are about the meaning of a term or the scope or boundary of a term when it is being defined. In discussing conceptual disagreements, arguments are presented about the appropriateness of one definition as opposed to another.

Question 15

Moral statements

Answer 15

are statements that something is right or wrong. In discussing moral disagreements, appeals are made to moral principles.

Question 16

A theory

Answer 16

offers the opportunity to define terms in uniform ways and to relate ideas to one another in a consistent manner.

Question 17

Ethical theories

Answer 17

attempt to relate ethical beliefs and ideas to one another in a consistent manner.

Question 18

Four Ethical Theories

Answer 18

Utilitarianism. Duty-based. Rights-based. Virtue-based.

Question 19

The theory of utilitarianism

Answer 19

states that the best solution to an ethical problem is the one that produces the greatest total amount of human well-being. 𝐔𝐭𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐦 states that an action is ethically correct if it produces the greatest benefit for the greatest number of people. The challenge with utilitarianism is that a conflict of interest may arise when evaluating the benefits or when distributing them equally.

Question 20

The theory of duty-based ethics (formalism)

Answer 20

puts forward that every individual has a fundamental duty to act ethically in every situation. 𝐃𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬-𝐛𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐜𝐬 states that each person has a duty to follow those courses of action that would be acceptable as universal principles for everyone to follow. Human life should be respected and people not be used as a means to acheive some other goal. The challenge with duties-based ethics is that conflicts arise when following a universal principle causes harm.

Question 21

The theory of rights-based ethics

Answer 21

puts forward that every individual has rights by virtue of his or her existence as a human being, and those rights are paramount in the resolution of any ethical issue. 𝐑𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬-𝐛𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐜𝐬 states that all individuals are free and equal and each has a right to life, health, liberty, possessions and the products of his or her labour. The challenge with rights-based ethics is that it is occasionally difficult to determine when one person’s rights infringe on another person’s rights.

Question 22

The theory of virtue-based ethics

Answer 22

holds that the goodness of an object or person is relative to the function of the object or the goal of the person’s actions. The qualities that make something or someone good thus vary from situation to situation. 𝐕𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐮𝐞𝐬-𝐛𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐜𝐬 states that happiness is achieved by developing virtues or qualities of character, through deduction and good reason. The challenge with virtues-based ethics is that the definition of virtue is occasionally vague and difficult to apply to specific cases.

Question 23

Code of ethics

Answer 23

Ethical standards for a profession are usually captured in a Code of Ethics. The Code of Ethics sets the rules by which those professionals conduct their professional lives.

Question 24

List the Ethical Responsibilities of professionals.

Answer 24

• Duty to society.
• Duty to employers.
• Duty to clients.
• Duty to colleagues.
• Duty to employees.
• Duty to profession.
• Duty to oneself.

Question 25

The OACETT Code of Ethics

Answer 25

provides the rules according to which OACETT engineering technicians and technologists practice in Ontario. The Code of Ethics is part of the OACETT By-law. Reference: pgs 262-264

Question 26

a. Code of Ethics Members shall:

Answer 26

Hold paramount the safety, health and welfare of the public, the protection of the environment and the promotion of health and safety within the workplace;

Question 27

b. Code of Ethics Members shall:

Answer 27

Undertake and accept responsibility of professional assignments only when qualified by training or experience;

Question 28

c. Code of Ethics Members shall:

Answer 28

Provide an opinion on a professional subject only when it is founded upon adequate knowledge and honest conviction;

Question 29

d. Code of Ethics Members shall:

Answer 29

Act with integrity towards clients or employers, maintain confidentiality and avoid a conflict of interest but, where such conflict arises, fully disclose the circumstances without delay to the employer or client;

Question 30

e. Code of Ethics Members shall:

Answer 30

Uphold the principle of appropriate and adequate compensation for the performance of their work;

Question 31

f. Code of Ethics Members shall:

Answer 31

Keep informed to maintain proficiency and competence, to advance the body of knowledge within their discipline and further opportunities for the professional development of their associates;

Question 32

g. Code of Ethics Members shall:

Answer 32

Conduct themselves with fairness, courtesy and good faith toward clients, colleagues and others, give credit where it is due and accept, as well as give, honest and fair professional comment;

Question 33

h. Code of Ethics Members shall:

Answer 33

Present clearly to employers and clients the possible consequences if professional decisions or judgements are overruled or disregarded;

Question 34

i. Code of Ethics Members shall:

Answer 34

Report to the appropriate agencies any hazardous, illegal or unethical professional decisions or practices by fellow members or others;

Question 35

j. Code of Ethics Members shall:

Answer 35

Promote public knowledge and appreciation of engineering and applied science technology and protect the Association from misrepresentation and misunderstanding.