Introduction to Engineering
Introduction To Ethics I
Agenda
Introduce and Define Ethics
Develop a Process for Responding To
Ethical Problems
Reference: Martin & Schinzinger, Introduction To Engineering
Ethics, p. 1-22
Ethical Expectations of Professionals
 A survey of 200 business executives
asked them to list the most ethical
professionals in their experience.
 Make a list of who you would expect to
be the top three:
1.
2.
3.
Defining Ethics
 Ethics - synonyms for “morally correct” or
justified - set of justified moral principles of
obligation, rights, and ideals
 Ethics - particular beliefs or attitudes
concerning morality
 Ethics - area of study or inquiry – an activity
of understanding moral values, resolving
moral issues, and justifying moral judgments
What are moral values? What is morality?
Dictionary – concerns right and wrong,
good and bad, the rules that ought to be
followed.
Morality – about reasons centered in
respect for other people as well as
ourselves, reasons that involve their good
as well as our own.
How are ethics and law related?
Illegal
2
3
Legal
Ethical
Unethical
1
4
Developing a Well-Reasoned Response to a
Moral Dilemma
Moral dilemmas are situations in which
two or more moral obligations, duties,
rights, goods, or ideals come into conflict
with one another.
How does one decide whether a response
is well-reasoned? What criteria apply?
Can we reliably judge?
Responses can be judged on these criteria:
1. Whether the response addresses each of
the issues and points of ethical conflict
presented in the case or problem;
2. Whether each interested party’s legitimate
expectations are considered;
3. Whether the consequences of acting are
recognized, specifically described (not just
generally mentioned), and incorporated into
the decision; and
4. Whether each of the duties or obligations of
the protagonist are described and grounded
in moral considerations.
Approach to Applying the Criteria
Case
Heinz’s wife is dying. A cure is available from a
druggist in Heinz’s town, who is the one who
discovered the drug, but the druggist charges
much more that it costs him to make it, and
much more than Heinz can afford to pay.
Heinz can’t raise the money and the druggist
will not agree to let him pay later.
Dilemma – Whether Heinz should steal the
drug to save his wife’s live.
Heinz Case
1. Issues or points of conflict
2. Interested Parties
(others not mentioned in case may have a stake)
3. Consequences
(identify those that have a good probability of
occurring)
4. Obligations
(primarily
parties)
protagonist toward various interested
Your Re-Considered Response – Does he
steal? (Yes or No)
Does it fit your understanding of the:
1. Issues or points of conflict
2. Interested Parties
3. Consequences
4. Obligations
Following slide for instructor
use only. Goes between Slides
2 and 3.
Results of Executive Survey on Most Ethical
Professionals.
Engineers
CPA’s
Doctors
Lawyers
Dentists
Bankers
Don’t Know
34%
24%
17%
8%
7%
1%
9%