ENGINEERING ETHICS
ETHICAL DILEMMAS
• Write a list of ethical dilemmas you may (have)
encounter(ed) as a student
• Create another list of ethical dilemmas you may
encounter in your profession
ETHICAL DILEMMAS
Academic
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Plagiarism
Cheating
Keeping commitments
Personal feelings towards
others
Falsifying info
Illegal substances
Eavesdropping
Pirating texts & other works
Stealing…
Logging onto other’s account
Racism / sexism / other-isms
Professional
• What does the company do /
make? Procedure – environmental
/ people
• Religion (holidays)
• Politics
• Truthful data reporting
• Cutting corners
• Ignoring undesired consequences
• Cultural sensitivity
• Bribing
• Improper use of resources
• Withholding info
• Conflict of interest (benefit
personally)
ENGINEERING CODES OF
ETHICS
• The National Society of Professional Engineers
establishes the Code of Ethics for Engineers
• http://www.nspe.org/Ethics/CodeofEthics/index.html
• Each discipline-specific professional society writes
their own code of ethics
ENGINEERING CODES OF
ETHICS
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Protect the public safety, health, and welfare
Perform duties only in areas of competence
Be truthful and objective
Behave in an honorable and dignified manner
Continue learning to sharpen technical skills
Provide honest hard work to employers or clients
Inform the proper authorities of harmful, dangerous, or illegal
activities
Be involved with civic and community affairs
Protect the environment
Do not accept bribes, or gifts that would interfere with
engineering judgment
Protect confidential information of employer or client
Avoid conflicts of interest
HOMEWORK
• Due: Tuesday, April 15
• Introduction to engineering ethical codes
• Review the NSPE codes
• http://www.nspe.org/Ethics/CodeofEthics/index.html
• AND the codes for the professional society for your major
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Mechanical – ASME
Electrical / Computer – IEEE
Civil – ASCE
Environmental – AAEE
• AND print copies or makes notes for academic/professional
reference (e.g., for our next class meeting)