0% found this document useful (0 votes)
48 views10 pages

Unit-1 Module-2 1. Engineering Ethics

The document discusses several key topics in engineering ethics including: 1. It provides definitions and goals of engineering ethics including understanding moral values that guide engineering, resolving moral issues, and justifying moral judgements. 2. It outlines the scope of engineering ethics in the workplace and related to products/work. 3. It describes two approaches to studying ethics - micro-ethics focused on individuals and macro-ethics focused on societal issues. 4. Additional sections discuss the normative and descriptive senses of engineering ethics, varieties of moral issues, types of inquiries in solving ethical problems, and an introduction to Kohlberg's moral development theory.

Uploaded by

sudheep
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
0% found this document useful (0 votes)
48 views10 pages

Unit-1 Module-2 1. Engineering Ethics

The document discusses several key topics in engineering ethics including: 1. It provides definitions and goals of engineering ethics including understanding moral values that guide engineering, resolving moral issues, and justifying moral judgements. 2. It outlines the scope of engineering ethics in the workplace and related to products/work. 3. It describes two approaches to studying ethics - micro-ethics focused on individuals and macro-ethics focused on societal issues. 4. Additional sections discuss the normative and descriptive senses of engineering ethics, varieties of moral issues, types of inquiries in solving ethical problems, and an introduction to Kohlberg's moral development theory.

Uploaded by

sudheep
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 10

Unit-1 Module-2

1. Engineering Ethics

Engineering ethics is the activity and discipline aimed at

1. Understanding the moral values that ought to guide engineering profession or practise.

2. Resolving moral issues in engineering and

3. Justifying the moral judgements in engineering.

It deals with set of moral problems and issues connected with engineering.

Engineering ethics is defined by the codes and standards of conduct endorsed by engineering
(professional) societies with respect to the particular set of beliefs, attitudes and habits displayed by the
individual or group.

Another important goal of engineering ethics is the discovery of the set of justified moral principles of
obligation (commitments), rights and ideals that ought to be endorsed by the engineers and apply them
to concrete situations. Engineering is the largest profession and the decisions and actions of engineers
affect all of us

Scope

The scope of engineering ethics are twofold:

1. Ethics of the workplace which involves the co-workers and employees in an organization.

2. Ethics related to the product or work which involves the transportation, warehousing, and use, besides
the safety of the end product and the environment outside the factory.

Approach

There are conventionally two approaches in the study of ethics:

1. Micro-ethics which deals with decisions and problems of individuals, professionals, and companies.

2. Macro-ethics which deals with the societal problems on a regional/national level.

For example, global issues, collective responsibilities of groups such as professional societies and consumer
groups.

2. Senses of Engineering Ethics

There are two different senses (meanings) of engineering ethics. They are

1. Normative sense and

2. Descriptive sense

1. Normative Sense

This includes

Knowing moral values, finding accurate solutions to moral problems and justifying moral judgments in
engineering practices,

Study of decisions, policies, and values that are morally desirable in the engineering practice and
research, and

Using codes of ethics and standards and applying them in their transactions by engineers.

Example:
“Murder is wrong.”

“Conflict of interest must be handled carefully.”

“My dad was a man of integrity.”

2. Descriptive Sense

Refers to what specific individual or group of engineers believe and act, without justifying their beliefs or
actions.

Example

“68% of respondents said they disapprove of the administration.”

“This movie has a pretty bad rating on Rotten Tomatoes.”

“9 out of 10 experts agree that our product is better than all the rest.

3. Variety of moral issues

It would be relevant to know why and how do moral issues (problems) arise in a profession or why do
people behave unethically?

The reasons for people including the employer and employees, behaving unethically may be classified
into three categories:

1. Resource crunch

2. Opportunity

3. Attitude

1. Resource crunch

• Due to pressure, through time limits, availability of money or budgetary constraints, and technology
decay or obsolescence(the process of becoming outdated). Pressure from the government to complete
the project in time (e.g., before the elections), reduction in the budget because of sudden war or natural
calamity (e.g., Tsunami) and obsolescence due technology innovation by the competitor lead to
manipulation and unsafe and unethical execution of projects.

Directions to promote positive attitude

Giving ethics training for all, recognizing ethical conduct in work place, including ethics in
performance appraisal, and encouraging open discussion on ethical issues, are some of the directions to
promote positive attitudes among the employees. To get firm and positive effect, ethical standards must
be set and adopted by the senior management, with input from all personnel.

2. Opportunity

a) Double standards or behavior of the employers towards the employees and the public. The unethical
behaviors of World Com (in USA), Enron (in USA as well as India) executives in 2002 resulted in
bankruptcy for those companies,

b) Management projecting their own interests more than that of their employees. Some organizations
over-emphasize short-term gains and results at the expense of themselves and others,

c) Emphasis on results and gains at the expense of the employees, and

d) Management by objectives, without focus on empowerment and improvement of the infrastructure.


3. Attitude

Poor attitude of the employees set in due to

1. Low morale of the employees because of dissatisfaction and downsizing,

2. Absence of grievance redressal mechanism,

3. Lack of promotion or career development policies or denied promotions,


4. Lack of transparency,
5. Absence of recognition and reward system, and
6. Poor working environments.

4. TYPES OF INQUIRIES

The three types of inquiries, in solving ethical problems are

1. Normative inquiry,

2. Conceptual inquiry, and

3. Factual or descriptive inquiry.

1. Normative Inquiry

1. It seeks to identify and justify the morally-desirable standards that should guide individuals and groups.

2. It also has the theoretical goal of justifying particular moral judgments. Normative questions are about
what ought to be and what is good, based on moral values.

Examples

1. How far does the obligation of engineers to protect public safety extend in any given situation?
2. When, if ever, should engineers be expected to blow whistle on dangerous practices of their
employers?
3. Whose values ought to be primary in making judgment about acceptable risks in design for a public
transport system or a nuclear plant? Is it of management, senior engineers, government, voters or all of
them?
4. When and why is the government justified in interfering with the organisations?
5. What are the reasons on which the engineers show their obligations to their employees or clients or the
public?

2. Conceptual Inquiry

It is directed to clarify the meaning of concepts or ideas or principles that are expressed by words or by
questions and statements

Example,

1. What is meant by safety?

2. How is it related to risk?

3. What is a bribe?

4. What is a profession?

When moral concepts are discussed, normative and conceptual issues are closely interconnected.

3. Factual or Descriptive Inquiry

It is aimed to obtain facts needed for understanding and resolving value issues. Researchers conduct factual
inquiries using mathematical or statistical techniques. The inquiry provide important information on business
realities, engineering practice, and the effectiveness of professional societies in fostering moral conduct, the
procedures used in risk assessment, and psychological profiles of engineers. The facts provide not only the
reasons for moral problems but also enable us to develop alterative ways of resolving moral problems. For
example,

1. How were the benefits assessed?

2. What are procedures followed in risk assessment?

3. What are short-term and long-term effects of drinking water being polluted? and

4. Who conducted the tests on materials?

5. Introduction to Moral Development

Moral Development theories are concerned with the development of moral principles in Humans.
At the early age, children develops some moral perceptions of what is right or wrong.

Example

Some children would be willing to share things with other children, whereas some children show temper if their
things are even touch bu other children.

1. Why does it happen?


2. Do parents have a role to play in such behaviour?
3. What role does education play in this?
The solution to the above questions is Moral development theories.

Some Moral Development theories

1. Piaget’s Theory,

2. Kohlberg’s Theory

3. Domain Theory

4. Gender-based Carol Gilligan Theory

1. Kohlberg’s Theory

• Inspired by piaget’s theory, kohlberg extended the development of moral judgement to age groups
beyond those studied by piaget.

• He proposed that the process of attaining moral maturity was more gradual and took much more time
what piaget had suggested.

• Based on his research, kohlberg classified moral reasoning into six stages grouped under three major
levels.

Defining the stages of Development

3 stages each having 2 sublevels

Used various hypothetical scenarios to gauge the responses of his sample and define stages.

Heinz Dilemma

Heinz Dilemma

• Heinz wife was dying from cancer.

• Doctor’s advised that there’s only one drug that can save her

• The chemist demanded 10 times the cost, to make the drug


• Heinz couldn’t afford it

• Chemist didn’t listen to Heinz’s begging and pleas

• Heinz stole it from his premises that night.

Six stages of Kohlberg’s theory of moral development

Levels Stages Essential features


Pre-Conventional 1 Obedience and punishment-oriented
2 Individualism and exchange
Conventional 3 Good interpersonal relationships
4 Maintaining social order
Post-Conventional 5 Social contract and individual rights
6 Universal principles
A. Pre-Conventional

Individual are motivated by obedience or to avoid punishment

A. Younger children- rules are absolute (fixed)

B. Mr. Heinz is wrong as stealing is wrong

The concept of right is based on Individualism, deal or agreement.

A. Rules are not necessarily rigid and always right

B. Druggist was unfair and Mr. Heinz is right

B. Conventional

Develops the idea of maintaining good interpersonal relationships

A. People/ young adults

B. Family, community, trust and compassion

C. Mr. Heinz is right

Gives preference for maintaining social order

A. Emphasis on social order and social system

B. Not following laws would lead to chaos.

C. Mr. Heinz is wrong

C. Post-Conventional

Individual have a stronger social perspective

A. People understand there can be multiple perspectives and multiple types of society

B. No simple definition of good society

C. Human rights and laws are different aspects

D. Mr. Heinz was right because he saved a life

Universal Principle (Discarded)

A. People have their own moral guidelines which may not tie in with the society
B. Act accordingly and defend principles

Short comings

1. Applies mostly that value individualism and not to collective structures.

2. The sample used was an male sample. So only male definition of morality is considered.

3. The dilemmas used are hypothetical.

2. Gilligan’s Theory

Carol Gilligan, a former student and colleague of Kohlberg, has criticized Kohlberg‘s theory as
male biased.

She also charged Kohlberg that Kohlberg‘s studies were concluded with male samples only.

According to Gilligan, males have tendency to over-ride the importance of moral rules and
convictions while resolving moral dilemmas.

whereas females have tendency to try hard to preserve personal relationships with all people
involved in a situation.

Also Gilligan felt that men mostly focus their attention on content of the problem, whereas women
focus their attention on the context i.e., situation of the problem.

Gilligan refers her context-oriented emphasis on maintaining personal relationships as the ethics of
care.

Gilligan’s Levels Of Moral Development

A. Pre-conventional level

This is almost the same as Kohlberg‘s first level.

That is, in this level an individual is concerned with self-centered reasoning.

B. Conventional level

This level differs from Kohlberg‘s second level.

According to Gilligan, women will not hurt others and have a willingness to sacrifice their own
interests in order to help others.

C. Post-conventional level

This level also differs from Kohlberg‘s third level.

In this level, the individual is able to maintain balance between his own needs with the needs of others.

The balancing can be achieved through context-oriented reasoning i.e., examining all facts, people and
circumstances involved, rather than by applying abstract rules ranked in a hierarchy of importance.

6. Consensus and Controversy

• Consensus means agreement

• Where as Controversy means disagreement.

• While exercising the moral autonomy, One may not get the same results as that of others.

• This may end in controversy.

• In this case, good amount of tolerance is required among the individuals while exercising autonomy.
• Many reasonable solutions can be obtained for a given ethical problem.

• This ethics make the engineers to realize the importance of tolerance among them in case of
disagreement.

7. Profession

Profession is defined as any occupation/ job/vocation that requires advanced expertise (skills and
knowledge), self regulation, and concerted (coordinate) service to the public good. It brings a high status,
socially and economically.

8. Models of Professional Roles

Promotion of public good is the primary concern of the professional engineers.

There are several role models to whom the engineers are attracted. These models provoke their
thinking, attitudes and actions.

1. Saviour

2. Guardian

3. Bureaucratic Servant

4. Social Servant

5. Social Enabler and Catalyst

6. Game Player

1. Saviour

The engineer as a savior, save the society from poverty, illiteracy, wastage, inefficiency, ill health,
human (labor) dignity and lead it to prosperity, through technological development and social planning.

For example, R.L. Stevenson

2. Guardian

He guards the interests of the poor and general public. As one who is conversant with technology
development, is given the authority befitting his expertise to determine what is best suited to the society. For
example, Lawrence of Arabia (an engineer).

3. Bureaucratic Servant

He serves the organization and the employers. The management of an enterprise fixes its goals and
assigns the job of problem solving to the engineer, who accepts the challenge and shapes them into concrete
achievements.

For example, Jamshedji Tata.

4. Social Servant

It is one who exhibits social responsibility. The engineer translates the interest and aspirations of the
society into a reality, remembering that his true master is the society at large.

For example,Sir M.Viswesvarayya.

5. Social Enabler and Catalyst


One who changes the society through technology. The engineer must assist the management and the
society to understand their needs and make informed decisions on the desirable technological development and
minimize the negative effects of technology on people and their living environment. Thus, he shines as a social
enabler and a catalyst for further growth.

For example, Sri Sundarlal Bahuguna.

6. Game Player

He is neither a servant nor master. An engineer is an assertive player, not a passive player who may
carry out his master’s voice. He plays a unique role successfully within the organization, enjoying the
excitement of the profession and having the satisfaction of surging ahead in a competitive world.

For example, Narayanamurthy, Infosys and Dr. Kasthurirangan, ISRO.

9. Theories about Right action

There are four types of theories on ethics, which help to create the fundamental principles of obligation
suitable and applicable to professional and personal conduct of a person in his everyday life.

These theories are essential for cause of right action and morality. They are:

1. Virtue Theory

2. Rights theory

3. Duty ethics theory

4. Utilitarian Theory

1. Virtue Theory

“Golden mean” ethics (Aristotle, 384 – 322 B.C.). The best solution is achieved through reason and
logic and is a compromise or “golden mean” between extremes of excess and deficiency.

Virtue Excess Golden mean Deficiency


Truthfulness Revealing all in violation Necessary and sufficient, Secretive
of tact and confidentiality to proper person
Courage Roguishness, bold Firm and humble Cowardice
Generosity (giving) Wasting resources Give, in appropriate Miserly
measure
Friendliness Without anger, Within decent limits Bad-tempered
Green environment Exploitation Protection Neglect
Work and earn Tiresome work Balance of work and Lazy
leisure
2. Rights-based Ethical Theory

• The Rights based ethical theory was proposed by John Locke. According to this theory, the solution to
a problem is by realizing that every person has a right to live. Live and let live is the philosophy behind
this theory. The rights of a person towards life, health, liberty, possession, etc. are taken care of under
this theory.

• The ethics refer to the basic human rights whether they are positive or negative. Everyone has a right to
live, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

• The natural law states that human laws are defined by morality and not by some authority. This law is
derived from the belief that human morality comes from nature. Any action done by a person that
would prevent a fellow being from living a good and happy life, is considered immoral or unnatural.
Any law should have some morals. Moral duty is the obligation to act based on ethical beliefs.
3. Duty Theory

Duty-based Ethical Theory

The duty-based ethical theory was proposed by Immanuel Kant. According to this theory, every
person has a duty to follow which is accepted universally, with no exceptions.

An example of this can be expecting all to be honest, kind, generous and peaceful.

On the other hand, the DUTY ethics theory, as enunciated by John Rawl, gave importance to the
actions that would be voluntarily agreed upon by all persons concerned.

Rawl proposed two basic moral principles;

1. Each person is entitled to the most extensive amount of liberty (freedom) compatible with an equal
amount for others, and

2. Differences in social power and economic benefits are justified only when they are likely to benefit
every one, including members of the most disadvantaged groups.

The first principle is of prime importance and should be satisfied first. Without basic liberties other
economic or social benefits can not be sustained for long.

The second principle insists that to allow some people with great wealth and power is justified only
when all other groups are benefited.

In the business scenario, for example, the free enterprise is permissible so far it provides the capital
needed to invest and prosper, thereby making job opportunities to the public and taxes to fund the
government spending on the welfare schemes on the poor people.

4. Utilitarian Theory

Utilitarian theory is based on the principle that an action is morally right if it produces a greater
quantity of good or happiness than any other possible action.

Whether an action is morally right or wrong depends entirely on its consequences. An action is right if
it brings about the best outcome of the choices available. Otherwise it is wrong.

There are two types

1. Act utilitarian

It focuses on actions, rather than on general rules. An action is right, if it generates the most overall
good for the most people involved

2. Rule utilitarian

It stress on the rules, such as ‘do not steal’, ‘do no harm others’, ‘do not bribe’, as of primary
importance.

For example,

stealing an old computer from the employer will benefit the employee more than the loss to the
employer. As per Act, utilitarian this action is right. But rule utilitarian observes this as wrong, because
the employee should act as ‘faithful agent or trustee of the employees’.

In another example, some undisciplined engineers are terminated with the blame for the mistakes they
have not committed. The process is unfair although this results in promotion of overall good
10. Self-interest

• Self interest is valuating oneself in morally appropriate wats.

• Valuating oneself is important to find the right meanings in one’s life and work.

• Self esteem and self respect are closely related.

• Self esteem is a psychological concept. It refers to the virtue of valuing oneself properly.

• Just as we have to respect others for their integrity and other good qualities, so too we must value
ourselves and respect self.

• Just as we respect other’s rights, so to we must be aware of our own rights.

• Self respect is connected to all other major values like integrity, dignity, self control, courage and good
judgment.

11. Customs and Religion

• Customs play a vital role in deciding one’s moral values. Relativism is a position that all points of view
are equally valid and the individual determine what is relative and true for him. Relativism theorizes
that truth is different for different people, not simply that different people believe different things to be
true.

• Moral values have a deep connection and influence of religion and its beliefs. The main social function
of religion is to motivate right action and right thoughts. The main personal function of religion is to
sustain peoples convictions (judgment) to promote tolerance and moral concern for others. Religion
help people to set a higher moral standard than the normal standard.

12. Uses of Ethical theories

1. Ethical theories are very important and useful in many to a human being.

2. Ethical theories are helpful in understanding and solving moral dilemmas.

3. Ethical theories are useful in justifying professional obligations and ideals.

4. Ethical theories are useful in expressing everyday moral experience and justifying the professional
morality.

You might also like

pFad - Phonifier reborn

Pfad - The Proxy pFad of © 2024 Garber Painting. All rights reserved.

Note: This service is not intended for secure transactions such as banking, social media, email, or purchasing. Use at your own risk. We assume no liability whatsoever for broken pages.


Alternative Proxies:

Alternative Proxy

pFad Proxy

pFad v3 Proxy

pFad v4 Proxy