ME 4054: Ethics in Design
Does how you look at
things matter?
Yes. Chairoscuro is
an example.
The light value of the
center line is the same
throughout the bar,
yet it appears lighter
or darker depending
on the surroundings.
Perspective
reveals power
Does this guy frighten you?
Donatello
St. John the Evangelist
1412-15
As displayed in the
Museo del Duomo,
Florence
ASME’s Guide to Ethics
The Fundamental Principles
Engineers uphold and advance the integrity, honor and
dignity of the engineering profession by:
I. Using their knowledge and skill for the enhancement
of human welfare;
II. Being honest and impartial, and serving with fidelity
the public, their employers and clients; and
III. Striving to increase the competence and prestige of
the engineering profession.
The Fundamental Canons
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Engineers shall hold paramount the safety, health and welfare of the
public in the performance of their professional duties.
Engineers shall perform services only in the areas of their competence.
Engineers shall continue their professional development throughout their
careers and shall provide opportunities for the professional and ethical
development of those engineers under their supervision.
Engineers shall act in professional matters for each employer or client as
faithful agents or trustees, and shall avoid conflicts of interest or the
appearance of conflicts of interest.
Engineers shall build their professional reputation on the merit of their
services and shall not compete unfairly with others.
Engineers shall associate only with reputable persons or organizations.
Engineers shall issue public statements only in an objective and truthful
manner.
Engineers shall consider environmental impact in the performance of their
professional duties.
Case Study: Ford Pinto… 1970’s
The Ford Pinto was Ford’s first
domestic North American subcompact
automobile marketed beginning on
September 11, 1970.
The model became a focus of a major scandal when it was alleged
that the car's design allowed its fuel tank to be easily damaged in the
event of a rear end collision which sometimes resulted in deadly fires
and explosions. Critics argued that the vehicle's lack of a true rear
bumper as well as any reinforcing structure between the rear panel
and the tank meant that in certain collisions, the tank would be thrust
forward into the differential which had a number of protruding bolts
that could puncture the tank. This, and the fact that the doors could
potentially jam during an accident (due to poor reinforcing) allegedly
made the car less safe than its contemporaries.
Ford knows there’s a problem, what
should/did they do?



Ignore the problem
Acknowledge and recall
Pay as you go
Ford’s Action Plan
 Refused to pay for a redesign
 Issued (internal) Ford Pinto Memo: cheaper to pay
off possible lawsuits for resulting deaths (cost
benefit analysis compared the cost of an $11 repair
against the monetary value of a human life
 acquitted of criminal charges, but lost several
million dollars and gained a reputation for
manufacturing “
 Eventually provided a dealer installable "safety kit"
that installed some plastic protective material over
the offending sharp objects, negating the risk of
tank puncture
“the barbecue that seats four”
Small University Accuses Stanford of Cribbing Idea
for New Artificial Knee
A blocky artificial knee joint that can be
produced for around $20 is at the heart
of a dispute between Stanford
University and LeTourneau University, a
small Christian institution in the Piney
Woods of East Texas.
Student researchers at both universities
have developed strikingly similar
models with the goal of helping
transform the lives of amputees in
developing countries.
The Ethical Debate
The 50 Best Inventions of 2009
From a rocket of the future to a $10 million lightbulb, here
are TIME's picks for the best new gadgets and breakthrough
ideas of the year
LeTourneau Claims:
Stanford copied their model
Failed to cite LeTourneau’s design
project was referred to in 2006 in the
Journal of Biomechanics nations.
Stanford Claims:
2008 design class project
Literature search didn’t show past design
Many similar designs on the market
Ethical Dilemmas




Common categories: safety vs. company
financial interests, acknowledging work of
others, data management
Identify the ethical question
Consider options
Action plan
Can you think of any recent examples?
Engineering as a profession
What is a profession?
Three things make something a profession:
1) esoteric or specialized knowledge
2) independence of practitioners, also
known as “self-policing”
3) uses knowledge to serve public
Engineering as a profession
The engineering societies
ASCE
ASME
AIEE
AIChE
IRE
IEEE
1852
1880
1884
1908
1912
1963
Engineering as a profession
How is a engineering as a profession
connected to the engineering societies?
How is engineering as a profession
connected to the government?
Engineering as a profession
How is a engineering as a profession
connected to the engineering societies?
How is engineering as a profession connected
to the government?
The societies and the government agree
on the powerful public role of engineering.