Lec 2

PE020IU Engineering Ethics and Professional Skills
LECTURE 2: ETHICAL DILEMMAS,

CHOICES, AND CODES OF ETHICS
Instructor: Dr. Huynh Vo Trung Dung

School of Electrical Engineering
International University, VNU-HCM
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C ASE STUDY
A chemical engineer working in the environmental division of a computer

manufacturing firm learns that her company might be discharging unlawful amounts
of lead and arsenic into the city sewer. The city processes the sludge into a
fertilizer used by local farmers. To ensure the safety of both the discharge and the
fertilizer, the city imposes restrictive laws on the discharge of lead and arsenic.
Preliminary investigations convince the engineer that the company should
implement stronger pollution controls, but her supervisor tells her the cost of
doing so is prohibitive and that technically the company is in compliance with the
law. She is also scheduled to appear before town officials to testify in the matter.
What should she do?
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R E S O LV I N G M O R A L D I L E M M A S
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CAS E STU D Y
Engineer A is employed by a software company and is involved in the design of specialized

software in connection with the operations of facilities affecting the public health and safety (i.e.,
nuclear, air quality control, water quality control). As the part of the design of a particular
software system, Engineer A conducts extensive testing and although the tests demonstrate that
the software is safe to use under existing standards, Engineer A is aware of new draft standards
that are about to be released by a standard setting organization-standards which the newly
designed software may not meet. Testing is extremely costly and the company’s clients are eager
to begin to move forward. The software company is eager to satisfy its clients, protect the
software company’s finances, and protect existing jobs; but at the same time, the management of
the software company wants to be sure that the software is safe to use. A series of tests
proposed by Engineer A will likely result in a decision whether to move forward with the use of
the software. The tests are costly and will delay the use of the software by at least six months,
which will put the company at a competitive disadvantage and cost the company a significant
amount of money. Also, delaying implementation will mean the state public service commission
utility rates will rise significantly during this time. The company requests Engineer A’s
recommendation concerning the need for additional software testing. 4
STUDY CAS E
Should Engineer A design the software to meet the new

standards?
5
DISCUSSION QUESTION
Answer several questions. First, what is the moral dilemma (or dilemmas), if any? In stating the
dilemma, make explicit the competing moral reasons involved. Second, are there any concepts
(ideas) involved in dealing with the moral issues that it would be useful to clarify? Third, what
factual inquiries do you think might be needed in making a reliable judgment about the case?
Fourth, what are the options you see available for solving the dilemma? Fifth, which of these
options is required (obligatory, all things considered) or permissible (all right)?
Case: An inspector discovers faulty construction equipment and applies a violation

tag, preventing its continued use. The inspector’s supervisor, a construction manager,
views the case as a minor infraction of safety regulations and orders the tag
removed so the project will not be delayed.What should she do?
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CODES OF ETHICS
Why are codes important?

– Serve and protect the public
– Guidance/support for engineers
– Inspiration, deterrence, discipline
– Shared standards, education, mutual understanding
– Profession’s image
Limitations of codes
– Too vague to be useful in every day ethical decision making?
– Impossible to cover all eventualities
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NATIONAL SOCIETY OF PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERS (NSPE)
Code of Ethics for Engineers

Preamble: Engineering is an important and learned profession. As
members of this profession, engineers are expected to exhibit the
highest standards of honesty and integrity. Engineering has a direct and
vital impact on the quality of life for all people. Accordingly, the services
provided by engineers require honesty, impartiality, fairness, and equity
and must be dedicated to the protection of the public health, safety, and
welfare. Engineers must perform under a standard of professional
behavior that requires adherence to the highest principles of ethical
conduct.
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FUNDAMENTAL C ANNONS
1. Hold paramount the safety, health, and welfare of the public.

2. Perform services only in areas of their competence.
3. Issue public statements only in an objective and truthful manner.
4.Act for each employer or client as faithful agents or trustees.
5.Avoid deceptive acts.
6. Conduct themselves honorably, responsibly, ethically, and lawfully so as
to enhance the honor, reputation, and usefulness of the profession.
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HOLD PARAMOUNT THE SAFETY, HEALTH, AND WELFARE
OF THE PUBLIC
How to assess impact on human safety, health, and “welfare”?

• Amartya Sen uses a “capabilities approach:”
– Being able to live a long life in health
– Being able to get an education, being able to work
– Being able to have freedom of expression and association
– Others…
• Lack of welfare = capability deprivation
• Note: It does not say the engineer should be encouraged to focus on
(even extreme) capability deprivation. Should it?
17
IEEE CODE OF ETHICS (10 RULES)
We, the members of the IEEE, in recognition of the importance of our

technologies in affecting the quality of life throughout the world, and in
accepting a personal obligation to our profession, its members and the
communities we serve, do hereby commit ourselves to the highest
ethical and professional conduct and agree:
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DISCUSSION QUESTION
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PE020IU Engineering Ethics and Professional Skills

LECTURE 2: ETHICAL DILEMMAS,

Instructor: Dr. Huynh Vo Trung Dung

A chemical engineer working in the environmental division of a computer

Engineer A is employed by a software company and is involved in the design of specialized

Should Engineer A design the software to meet the new

Case: An inspector discovers faulty construction equipment and applies a violation

Why are codes important?

Code of Ethics for Engineers

1. Hold paramount the safety, health, and welfare of the public.

How to assess impact on human safety, health, and “welfare”?

We, the members of the IEEE, in recognition of the importance of our

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