1.0 Professionalism, Ethics, and the Code
January 5, 2004
ES 498G:
Engineering Ethics,
Sustainable Development
and the Law
2004 Section 2
Joel Adams
Engineering Science 498G © J. Adams 2004
Professionalism, Ethics, and the Code
1.1 Welcome
Welcome to ES 498G!
Engineering Ethics, Sustainable Development
and the Law (2004 Section 2)
Engineering Science 498G © J. Adams 2004
Professionalism, Ethics, and the Code
1.2 Top Ten Reasons to take this Course…
1. …
2. I want to pass the Professional Practice Exam to get
my P.Eng, or Ing. or PE.
3. Because engineers should be well-rounded…
4. Because they’re forcing me to…
5. I came to the wrong classroom but was too
embarrassed to leave…
6. I’d rather be taking a 3 hour Monday morning course
than sleeping in after Raygun Sundays…
7. Mmmmmmmmmm… New Classroom Smell. (OSR)
8. Because I failed this the first time(s)...
9. After that prank went wrong, my parole officer
thought a course on ethics would do some good…
10. I love essay courses...
Engineering Science 498G © J. Adams 2004
Professionalism, Ethics, and the Code
1.3 And the number one reason…
1. Because this course is critical to understanding and
applying what makes Engineering unique...
So what makes Engineering different?
Physics, Organic Chemistry, etc. are hard…
Medicine, Law, and Accounting are professions...
Computer Scientists, Engineering Technologists,
and Architects might know more than you technically
and might even compete for the same jobs…
Engineering Science 498G © J. Adams 2004
Professionalism, Ethics, and the Code
1.4 What makes Engineering unique…
Engineering Science + Engineering Design +
Professionalism and Engineering Ethics =
The Profession of Engineering!
*The Iron Ring is a Symbol of an Engineer’s Obligation
to Society and the Public Interest – it’s not a symbol of
how smart you are or how hard you worked in school!
This Course will help you to learn, value, and apply
concepts and skills that help make Engineering unique…
Engineering Science 498G © J. Adams 2004
Professionalism, Ethics, and the Code
1.5 Key Course Topics
1. Professionalism, Ethics, the Code, Enforcement
• Professionalism, Ethical Theory, the Code
• Engineers in Industry, Management, Private Practice
• Negligence, Misconduct, Incompetence, Enforcement
2. The Legal System, Torts, and Contracts
• The Canadian Legal System, Business Organization
• Tort Law: Standard of Care, Liability, Product Safety
• Contract Law: Requirements, Discharge, Breach
3. Risk Management, Engineers and the Environment
• Ethics and Management of Risk
• Environmental Ethics and PEO Guidelines
• Sustainable Development
Engineering Science 498G © J. Adams 2004
Professionalism, Ethics, and the Code
1.6 Instructor and Class Introductions
• Mr. Joel Adams
• IANAL
• IANAPh.D.
• IANAP.Eng. (yet!)
• I am…
• A Business & Technology Consultant
• Founder, Onsite Manufacturing Co.
• Lecturer, Technological Entrepreneurship & Innovation
• A BESc (UWO, Electrical & Computer Engineering)
• An HBA (UWO, Richard Ivey School of Business)
• Active in the local tech and engineering communities
• So why do I teach this course?
Engineering Science 498G © J. Adams 2004
Professionalism, Ethics, and the Code
1.7 Some Goals & Expectations
• This Class
• Is one of the most important you will ever take
• We need to work together to keep it interesting and worthwhile
• Learning through discussion – not the “sage from the stage”
• We’ll stress key points that are essential to engineering
• Let’s try to keep it fun (as far as Monday morning go!)
• PLEASE ASK QUESTIONS!!!
• This Section
• Will be different from the other section
• We will focus on case studies and the decision making process
• Greater focus on ethics and law components (see course outline)
• Assignments & Exams
• Testing will focus on key learning and facts required for the PPE
• EVERYONE has the opportunity to do very well
Engineering Science 498G © J. Adams 2004
Professionalism, Ethics, and the Code
1.8 Schedule and Contact Information
• Lectures
• Mondays, 9AM-NOON
• Rm. 2200 New Teaching Annex
• 13 Scheduled Weeks
• Final Exam: TBA
• Office Hours
• By Appointment or Before or After Class
• Contact Information
• Joel Adams
• jadams@uwo.ca (Preferred)
• 858-5018 (UWO Research Park)
• Coming Soon (http://instruct.uwo.ca/engin-sc/466b/)
(Yes I know, it’s the ES 466b site – not 498G!)
Engineering Science 498G © J. Adams 2004
Professionalism, Ethics, and the Code
Required Texts:
Canadian Professional Engineering Practice and Ethics
2nd Edition, Gordon C. Andrews, John D. Kemper
UWO Bookstore: $69.95 (401 copies available)
Law For Professional Engineers
3rd Edition, D. L. Marston
UWO Bookstore: $67.95 (311 copies available)
Engineering Science 498G Course Notes (M3239?)
UWO Bookstore: $41.28 (194 copies available)
Engineering Science 498G © J. Adams 2004
Professionalism, Ethics, and the Code
1.10 Course Evaluation Scheme
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Position Paper (~1500 words) ..……….. 30 %
Case Study (~1500 words) .……………. 30 %
Class Participation ……………………… 10 %
Final Exam ……………………………….. 30 %
Total
100 %
Standard UWO and Engineering policies apply (see
Course Outline and University Calendars for details)
Engineering Science 498G © J. Adams 2004
Professionalism, Ethics, and the Code
1.11 Participation
• Worth 10% of your Grade – Aim for 10/10!!!
• Attendance, Quantity, and QUALITY
• Be prepared to add to the discussion in every class
• Complete all readings, especially case studies
• Prepare summaries, questions, solutions
• Be prepared to be “cold called”
• Don’t just challenge other speakers (and me), but also defend your
views and provide possible alternatives
• E-mail regrets in advance for unavoidable absences and provide
documentation for emergencies etc.
• You can also (optionally) provide written summaries of our
discussions and your thoughts on classes to count towards
participation (ask me about this)
Engineering Science 498G © J. Adams 2004
Professionalism, Ethics, and the Code
1.12 Important Dates
• Deadlines for adding and dropping second-term half courses
• Tuesday, Jan. 13 (last day to ADD course or SWITCH section)
• Sunday(?), Feb. 15 (last day to DROP w/o Academic Penalty)
• Position Paper
• Friday, Feb. 13, 2004 @ 4:00PM in Section Locker
• “Conference” Week
• Feb. 23 – Feb. 27
• Case Study
• Friday, March 26, 2004 @ 4:00PM in Section Locker
• Final Exam:
• TBA
Engineering Science 498G © J. Adams 2004
Professionalism, Ethics, and the Code
1.13 Key Topics
1. Professionalism, Ethics, the Code, Enforcement
• Professionalism, Ethical Theory, the Code
• Engineers in Industry, Management, Private Practice
• Negligence, Misconduct, Incompetence, Enforcement
2. The Legal System, Torts, and Contracts
• The Canadian Legal System, Business Organization
• Tort Law: Standard of Care, Liability, Product Safety
• Contract Law:
3. Risk Management, Engineers and the Environment
• Ethics and Management of Risk
• Environmental Ethics and PEO Guidelines
• Sustainable Development
Engineering Science 498G © J. Adams 2004
Professionalism, Ethics, and the Code
1.14 Today’s Class
1. Course Introduction
• Introduction to ES 498G
• Course Outline and Expectations
2. Professionalism, Ethics
• Professionalism and Professional Engineering
• History and Application of Ethical Theory
3. Codes of Ethics
• Hammurabi’s Code
• Review of the PEO Code of Ethics
Engineering Science 498G © J. Adams 2004
Professionalism, Ethics, and the Code
1.15 What is a Profession?
“A self selected, self disciplined group of individuals who
hold them themselves out to the public as
possessing a special skill derived from training and
education and are prepared to exercise that skill in
the interest of others.”
•
From Ontario Legislature debates leading to the
Professional Engineers Act in 1968-69
Engineering Science 498G © J. Adams 2004
Professionalism, Ethics, and the Code
1.16 Dictionary Definition of a Profession
“Profession … A calling requiring specialized knowledge and
often long and intensive preparation including instruction in
skills and methods as well as in the scientific, historical, or
scholarly principles underlying such skills and methods,
maintaining by force of organization or concerned opinion
high standards of achievement and conduct, and committing
its members to continued study and to a kind of work which
has for its prime purpose the rendering of a public service.
•
•
From Webster’s Third New International® Dictionary
• With Italics added by Andrews, Kemper
How does this relate to Engineering…
Engineering Science 498G © J. Adams 2004
Professionalism, Ethics, and the Code
1.17 Common Elements of a Profession
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Professional Education
Accreditation
Skill Development (Experience)
Certification and/or Licensing
Professional Development
Professional Societies
Code of Ethics (and Enforcement)
Organizational Certification
•
Adapted by Steve McConnell in “After the Gold Rush”
from Gary Ford and Norman E. Gibbs
(Software Engineering Institute)
Engineering Science 498G © J. Adams 2004
Professionalism, Ethics, and the Code
1.18 What is Professional Engineering?
"professional engineer" means a person who holds a
licence or a temporary licence; ("ingénieur")
"practice of professional engineering" means any
act of designing, composing, evaluating, advising,
reporting, directing or supervising wherein the
safeguarding of life, health, property or the public
welfare is concerned and that requires the application
of engineering principles, but does not include
practising as a natural scientist; ("exercice de la
profession d'ingénieur")
• Definitions From Professional Engineers Act (Ontario)
Engineering Science 498G © J. Adams 2004
Professionalism, Ethics, and the Code
1.19 The Engineering Profession in Ontario
PEO Licensing Requirements:
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Be at least 18 years old;
Be a citizen or permanent resident of Canada;
Be of good character;
Hold an undergraduate engineering degree from a Canadian
Engineering Accreditation Board (CEAB) accredited program
(or equivalent qualifications);
Successfully complete PEO’s Professional Practice
Examination (PPE); and
Demonstrate at least 48 months of verifiable, acceptable
engineering experience, at least 12 months of which must be
acquired in a Canadian jurisdiction under the supervision of a
licensed professional engineer (P.Eng.)
Engineering Science 498G © J. Adams 2004
Professionalism, Ethics, and the Code
1.20 The Engineering Profession in Ontario
PEO Work Experience Requirements:
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Application of Theory;
Practical Experience;
Management of Engineering;
Communications Skills; and
Awareness of the Social Implications of Engineering
See “Licensing Guide and Application for Licence: How to
apply for a Professional Engineer Licence in Ontario” available
online from the PEO for more details, forms, and deadlines
Engineering Science 498G © J. Adams 2004
Professionalism, Ethics, and the Code
1.21 What is Ethics?
• Ethics is a traditional branch of Philosophy:
• Logic
• Epistemology
• Metaphysics
• Ethics
• Goal of ethics is to differentiate between
• “Good and Bad”
• “Right and Wrong”
• But what is “Good”? (or “Bad”, “Right”, “Wrong”…)
Engineering Science 498G © J. Adams 2004
Professionalism, Ethics, and the Code
1.22 Ethical Theories
• Mill’s Utilitarianism
• John Stuart Mill (1806-1873)
• Maximum Benefit (Intensity, Duration of Pleasure for Majority)
• Kant’s Duty-Based Ethics (Formalism)
• Immanuel Kant (1724-1804)
• Universal Principles (Intentions more important than Result)
• Locke’s Rights-Based Ethics
• John Locke (1632-1704)
• Based on Fundamental Individual Rights and Freedoms
• Aristotle’s Virtue Based Ethics
• Aristotle (384BC-322BC)
• Virtues are Compromise between Vices (Golden Mean)
Engineering Science 498G © J. Adams 2004
Professionalism, Ethics, and the Code
1.23 Ethical Conflicts and Dilemmas
• Ethical theories are often in agreement, but concepts like the
Golden Mean can help to resolve conflicts when they occur…
• Mill’s Utilitarianism
• How do you measure and compare different benefits?
• What happens when majorities rule at expense of minorities?
• Kant’s Duty-Based Ethics (Formalism)
• Who chooses the universal values?
• What happens when a “white lie” hurts someone?
• Locke’s Rights-Based Ethics
• How do you decide when my rights infringe on your rights?
• Does my right to swing my arms end at your nose?
• Aristotle’s Virtue Based Ethics
• What is a virtue and where exactly is the Golden Mean anyway?
Engineering Science 498G © J. Adams 2004
Professionalism, Ethics, and the Code
1.24 Why Study Ethics?
• Is the goal an “Indoctrination” to an identical moral system?
• Or should it be to develop “Moral Autonomy”?
• Levels of Moral Development
• Pre-Conventional
• Conventional
• Post-Conventional
• Theories of Moral Development
• Lawrence Kohlberg vs. Carol Gilligan
• Heinz’s Dilemma
• How can use knowledge of ethical theories to approach
problems and develop stronger Moral Autonomy…
Engineering Science 498G © J. Adams 2004
Professionalism, Ethics, and the Code
1.25 How do we approach Ethical problems?
•
Develop an “Engineering Design” process to work through
assigned case studies and real life problems:
1. Recognize the Need or Problem
2. Gather Information and Define the Problem
3. Generate Alternative Solutions (Synthesis)
4. Evaluate Alternatives (Analysis)
5. Decision Making and Optimization
6. Implementation
•
Also, read section on “Steps in Confronting Moral Dilemmas” in
Why Study Engineering Ethics (Course Notes)
•
We can also look to “codes” for guidance…
• Laws, Regulations, Common Law
• Religious texts
• Philosophical texts
• Professional Codes of Ethics…
Engineering Science 498G © J. Adams 2004
Professionalism, Ethics, and the Code
1.26 The Code of Hammurabi
The Responsibilities of the Engineer in 2200BC:
• If a builder builds a house for a man and does not make its
construction firm and the house collapses and causes the death
of the owner of the house - that builder shall be put to death.
• If it causes the death of a son of the owner - a son of that builder
shall be put to death.
• If it causes the death of a slave of the owner - the builder shall
give the owner a slave of equal value.
• If it destroys property - the builder shall restore whatever it
destroyed and because the builder did not make the house firm,
shall rebuild the house which collapsed at his own expense.
• If a builder builds a house and does not make its construction
meet the requirements and a wall falls in - that builder shall
strengthen the wall at his own expense.
• from the Code of Hammurabi, ~2200BC
Engineering Science 498G © J. Adams 2004
Professionalism, Ethics, and the Code
1.27 The Professional Engineers’ Code (Ontario)
“The Code of Ethics is a basic guide to professional
conduct and imposes duties on the practising
professional engineer, with respect to:
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society;
employers;
clients;
colleagues, including employees and subordinates;
the engineering profession; and
himself/herself.”
• from the PEO Website, 2003 (CE)
Engineering Science 498G © J. Adams 2004
Professionalism, Ethics, and the Code
1.28 The Professional Engineers Act (Ontario)
• “The Professional Engineers Act” (O. Reg. 941)
• Links to the Ontario Regulation 941:
“Code of Ethics (Section 77 of O. Reg. 941)”
http://www.peo.on.ca/publications/code_of_ethics.html
“Professional Misconduct (Section 72 of O. Reg. 941)”
http://www.peo.on.ca/publications/guidelines2001/prof_misconduct.htm
“Misconduct and Incompetence (2, 3, from Section 28)”
http://192.75.156.68/DBLaws/Statutes/English/90p28_e.htm
Engineering Science 498G © J. Adams 2004
Professionalism, Ethics, and the Code
1.29 Review of this Class
• Topics
• Introduction to the Course
• Professionalism and Engineering
• Professional Engineering in Ontario
• Ethical Theories and History
• Codes of Ethics
• Readings (You are responsible for these!)
• Andrews, Ch. 1, Ch. 2 and Ch. 6
• Notes, Pages 1-13
• Assignments
• Review course outline
• Readings for next class
Engineering Science 498G © J. Adams 2004
Professionalism, Ethics, and the Code
1.30 Next Class: Thursday Jan 12, 2003
• Topics
• Review of Professional Ethics and the Code
• Problems of Engineers in Industry (Case Studies)
• Readings
• Andrews, Ch. 7, including Case Studies
• Notes, pg. 23-33 (Educating the Engineering
Professional)
• Assignments
• Position Paper Assigned (Due Friday, Feb. 13)
• Remember to bring Name Tags for Class Picture!
Engineering Science 498G © J. Adams 2004