GE6075 PROFESSIONAL

ETHICS IN
ENGINEERING
GIRI PRASAD P

UNIT I
HUMAN VALUES
a) Morals, values and Ethics
b) Integrity
c) Work ethic
d) Service learning
e) Civic virtue
f) Respect for others
g) Living peacefully
h) Caring
i) Sharing
j) Honesty
k) Courage
l) Valuing time
m)Cooperation
n) Commitment
o) Empathy
p) Self confidence
q) Character
r) Spirituality
s) Introduction to Yoga and meditation for professional excellence and stress management.

Morals, values and Ethics

Morals are the welfare principles
enunciated by the wise people,
based on their experience and
wisdom.
They were edited, changed or modified
or evolved to suit the geography of
the region, rulers (dynasty), and in
accordance with development of
knowledge in science and technology
and with time.

Morals, values and Ethics

Morality is concerned with principles
and practices of morals such as:
(a) What ought or ought not to be
done in a given situation?
(b) What is right or wrong about the
handling of a situation? And
(c) What is good or bad about the
people, policies, and ideals involved?

Moral vs Ethics
Moral

Ethics

1. More general and prescriptive based on

customs and traditions.
2. More concerned with the results of
wrong action, when done.
3. Thrust is on judgment and
punishment,in the name of God or by laws.

1. Specific and descriptive. It is a critical

reflection on morals.
2. More concerned with the results of a
right action, when not done.
3. Thrust is on influence, education,
training through codes, guidelines, and
correction.

4. In case of conflict between the two,

morality is given top priority, because the
damage is more. It is more common and
basic.

4. Less serious, hence second priority only.

Less common. But relevant today, because
of complex interactions in the modern
society.

5. Example: Character flaw, corruption,

extortion, and crime.

5. Example: Notions or beliefs about

manners, tastes, customs, and towards
laws.

Values
Values are the rules by which we
make decisions about right and
wrong, should and shouldn't, good
and bad. They also tell us which are
more or less important, which is
useful when we have to trade off
meeting one value over another.
beliefs of a person or social group in
which they have an emotional
investment (either for or against
something);
"he
has
very
conservatives values.
Values are the scales we use to
weigh our choices for our actions,
whether to move towards or away
from something.

Values
A value is defined as a principle that promotes
well-being or prevents harm.
Another definition is: Values are our guidelines
for our successour paradigm about what is
acceptable.
Personal values are defined as: Emotional
beliefs in principles regarded as particularly
favorable or important for the individual.
Our values associate emotions to our
experiences and guide our choices, decisions
and actions.

Types of Values
Right Conduct
(a) SELF-HELP SKILLS: Care of possessions, diet, hygiene, modesty,
posture, self reliance, and tidy appearance
(b) SOCIAL SKILLS: Good behavior, good manners, good
relationships, helpfulness, No wastage, and good environment,
and
(c) ETHICAL SKILLS: Code of conduct, courage, dependability, duty,
efficiency, ingenuity, initiative, perseverance, punctuality,
resourcefulness, respect for all, and responsibility

Peace

Attention, calmness, concentration, contentment, dignity,

discipline, equality, equanimity, faithfulness, focus, gratitude,
happiness, harmony, humility, inner silence, optimism, patience,
reflection, satisfaction, self-acceptance, self-confidence, selfcontrol, self-discipline, self-esteem, self-respect, sense control,
tolerance, and understanding

 Truth

Accuracy, curiosity, discernment, fairness, fearlessness, honesty,

integrity (unity of thought, word, and deed), intuition, justice,
optimism, purity, quest for knowledge, reason, self-analysis,
sincerity, sprit of enquiry, synthesis, trust, truthfulness, and
determination.

Love
Acceptance, affection, care, compassion, consideration,
dedication, devotion, empathy, forbearance, forgiveness,
friendship, generosity, gentleness, humanness, interdependence,
kindness, patience, patriotism, reverence, sacrifice, selflessness,
service, sharing, sympathy, thoughtfulness, tolerance and trust

Non violence
(a) PSYCHOLOGICAL: Benevolence, compassion, concern for
others, consideration, forbearance, forgiveness, manners,
happiness, loyalty, morality, and universal love
(b) SOCIAL: Appreciation of other cultures and religions,
brotherhood, care of environment, citizenship, equality,
harmlessness, national awareness, perseverance, respect for
property, and social justice.

PERSEVERANCE
PERSEVERANCE is defined as
persistence, determination,
resolution,
tenacity,
dedication,
commitment,
constancy,
steadfastness,
stamina,
endurance
and
indefatigability. To persevere
is described as to continue,
carry on, stick at it (in
formal), keep going, persist,
plug
away,
(informal),
remain, stand firm, stand
fast, hold on and hang on.
Perseverance
builds
character.

ACCURACY
ACCURACY means freedom from
mistake or error; conformity to
truth or to a standard or model
and exactness.
Accuracy is
defined
as
correctness,
exactness, authenticity, truth,
veracity, closeness to truth (true
value) and carefulness. The value
of accuracy embraces a large
area and has many implications.
Engineers are encouraged to
demonstrate accuracy in their
behavior through the medium of
praise and other incentives.
Accuracy includes telling the
truth, not exaggerating, and
taking care over ones work.

DISCERNMENT
DISCERNMENT
means
discrimination,
perception,
penetration,
and
insight.
Discernment means the power to
see what is not obvious to the
average mind. It stresses accuracy,
especially in reading character or
motives. Discrimination stresses
the power to distinguish or select
what is true or genuinely excellent.
Perception implies quick and often
sympathetic discernment, as of
shades of feelings. Penetration
implies a searching mind that goes
beyond
what
is
obvious
or
superficial. Insight suggests depth
of discernment.

Ethics
Refers to moral, values and beliefs
of the individuals, family or the
society.
It is an activity and process of
inquiry.
It is different from non-moral
problems, when dealing with issues
and controversies.
Refers to a particular set of beliefs,
attitudes, and habits of individuals
or family or groups concerned with
morals.
it is used to mean morally correct.

Ethics
The study on ethics helps to know the
peoples beliefs, values, and morals, learn the
good and bad of them, and practice them to
maximize their well-being and happiness.
It involves the inquiry on the existing
situations, form judgments and resolve the
issues.
tells us how to live, to respond to issues,
through the duties, rights, responsibilities, and
obligations.

Integrity

Integrity is defined as the unity of

thought, word and deed (honesty) and
open mindedness.
It include the capacity to communicate
the factual information so that others
can make well-informed decisions.
It yields the persons peace of mind,
and
hence
adds
strength
and
consistency in character, decisions,
and actions.
It enthuse people not only to execute a
job well but to achieve excellence in
performance. It helps them to own the
responsibility and earn self-respect and
recognition by doing the job.
Moral integrity is defined as a virtue,
which reflects a consistency of ones
attitudes, emotions, and conduct in
relation to justified moral values.

Work Ethics
Work ethic is a value based on hard work
and diligence.
A work ethic may include being reliable,
having initiative, or pursuing new skills.
Work ethic is basically the belief that work
is a good moral. Its also refers to a sets of
values that are defined and characterized
by diligence and hard work. Work ethic can
as well be defined as the inherent ability of
work to strengthen character.

The Importance of a Good Work

Ethic
Work Ethics For Successful Careers
Work ethics is a plus for achieving a successful career.
Holding key traits such as attendance, character,
teamwork, appearance, and attitude add value to both
you as a person and your company.
Appearance is one work ethic that really shows.
A professional attitude towards yourself and your chosen
career is critical.
A professional attitude towards yourself and your chosen
career is critical
Combining work ethics with professional skills invites
success to a celebration, and that celebration is all about
you.

social problems exist in the

industrial/business scenario, because:
1.
2.
3.
4.

The people desire to be recognized as individuals and treated with dignity.

Economic independence
Exploitation and bargained pay should be discouraged.
Privacy (personal freedom) of the employee, including women, is to be
protected.
5. Security during job and upon retirement:
6. Recognition to non-work activities, such as leisure, paid holiday on the day of
visit of a worthy, social service, and other developmental activities.
7. Hard work and productivity are very essential for the success of an industry.
The quality of work life deserves to be improved.
8. Employee alienation.
9. A different view of work ethics:
10.As per the Protestant Work Ethics, the financial success is a sign that is
favored by God.
. By work ethics, duties to the self, family, society, and nation are fulfilled
. Values and virtues are cultivated and enjoyed by all human beings

SERVICE LEARNING
Service learning refers to learning the service policies,
procedures, norms, and conditions, other than the technical
trade practices.
includes the characteristics of the work, basic requirements,
security of the job, and awareness of the procedures, while
taking decisions and actions.
helps the individuals to interact ethically
Service Learning may be defined as the non-paid
activity, in which service is provided on voluntary
basis to the public (have-nots in the community), nonprofitable institutions, and charitable organizations.
The service learning is a methodology falling under the
category of experiential education.

SERVICE LEARNING
1. Connection to curriculum

Academic ties should be clear and built upon existing

disciplinary skills.

2. Learners voice

Beyond being actively engaged in the project, trainees have the

opportunity to select, design, implement, and evaluate their
service activity.

3. Reflection

Structured opportunities are created to think, talk, and write

about the service experience.

4. Partners in the community

Partnership with community agencies are used to identify

genuine needs, provide mentorship, and contribute input such
as labor and expertise towards completing the project.

Civic Virtues
Civic virtues are the moral duties and rights, as a citizen of the village
or the country or an integral part of the society and environment.
The duties are:
a) To pay taxes to the local government and state, in time.
b) To keep the surroundings clean and green
c) Not to pollute the water, land, and air by following hygiene and
proper garbage disposal.
d) To follow the road safety rules.
e) To vote the local or state government.
f) To contest in the elections to the local or state government.
g) To seek a public welfare facility for the residents.
h) To establish a green and safe environment, pollution free, corruption
free.
i) People have inalienable right to accept or reject a project in their
area.

Civic Virtues
1. Civic Knowledge
2. Self-Restraint
3. Self-Assertion
4. Self-Reliance

RESPECT FOR OTHERS

This is a basic requirement for
nurturing friendship, team work, and
for the synergy it promotes and
sustains
Recognize and accept the existence of other
persons as human beings
Respect others ideas (decisions), words,
and labor (actions).
Show goodwill on others. Love others.
Allow others to grow.

LIVING PEACEFULLY

Install Peace Within

Only who are at peace can spread peace.
War or peace can be won only by peace, and not by wars !
Adopt:
Nurture

Order in ones life (self-regulation, discipline, and duty).

Pure thoughts in ones soul
Creativity in ones head
Beauty in ones heart

Get

Good health/body

Act

Help the needy with head, heart, and hands.

Not hurting and torturing others either physically, verbally, or mentally.

LIVING PEACEFULLY
Factors that promote living,
internal and external peace:
i.
ii.
iii.
iv.
v.
vi.

with

Conducive environment (safe, ventilated, illuminated and

comfortable).
Secured job and motivated with recognition and reward.
Absence of threat or tension by pressure due to
limitations of money or time.
Absence of unnecessary interference or disturbance,
except as guidelines.
Healthy labor relations and family situations.
Service to the needy (physically and mentally-challenged)
with love and sympathy.

CARING
Caring is feeling for others.
It includes showing respect to the
feelings of others.
Caring is reflected in activities such as
friendship, membership in social clubs
and
professional
societies,
and
through various transactions in the
family, fraternity, community, country
and in international councils.

SHARING
Sharing is a process that describes
the transfer of knowledge (teaching,
learning,
and
information),
experience (training), commodities
(material possession) and facilities
with others.
is voluntary
Sharing is charity.
sharing is a culture.

Truthfulness
Trustworthiness.

 Truthfulness is to face the responsibilities upon

telling truth.
Trustworthiness is maintaining integrity and
taking responsibility for personal performance.
Honesty is mirrored in many ways. The
common reflections are:

Beliefs (intellectual honesty).

Communication (writing and speech).
Decisions (ideas, discretion).
Actions (means, timing, place, and the goals).
Intended and unintended results achieved.

Dishonesty actions
i. Lying
ii. Deliberate deception
iii. Withholding the information
iv. Not seeking the truth
v. Not maintaining confidentiality
vi. Giving professional judgment under the
influence of extraneous factors such as
personal benefits and prejudice.

COURAGE
tendency to accept and face risks
and difficult tasks in rational ways.
Self-confidence is the basic
requirement to nurture courage.
three types
Physical courage
Social courage
Intellectual courage

Look before you leap.

characteristics,

Perseverance (sustained hard work)

Experimentation
Involvement
Commitment

VALUING TIME
Time is rare resource. Once it is
spent, it is lost for ever.

COOPERATION
team-spirit present with every individual
engaged in engineering.
is activity between two persons or sectors that
aims at integration of operations.
Willingness to understand others, think and act
together and putting this into practice, is
cooperation.
cooperation should exist or be developed, and
maintained
The absence of cooperation leads to lack of
communication, misinformation.

impediments to successful
cooperation are:
Clash of ego of individuals.
Lack of leadership and motivation
Conflicts of interests, based on
region, religion, language, and caste.
Ignorance and lack of interest.

Commitment
alignment to goals
and adherence to
ethical principles
during the
activities

EMPATHY
Empathy is social radar.
Sensing what others
feel about, without
their open talk, is the
essence of empathy
defined as the ability to
put ones self into the
psychological frame or
reference or point of
view of another, to
know what the other
person feels.

To practice Empathy, a leader must

have or develop in him, the following
characteristics..
Understanding
others
Service orientation
Developing others
Leveraging
diversity
Political awareness

benefits of
empathy include:
Good relations

SELF-CONFIDENCE
positive
thinking,
flexible and willing to
change.
is positive attitude,
wherein
the
individual has some
positive and realistic
view of himself, with
respect
to
the
situations in which
one gets involved.

SELF-CONFIDENCE
people
have

with
self-confidence
the
following

characteristics:
A self-assured standing,
Willing to listen to learn from
others and adopt
Frank to speak the truth,
respect others efforts and give
due credit.

factors
that
shape
selfconfidence in a person are:
Heredity
and
family
environment
Friendship
Influence
of
superiors/role
models,

CHALLENGES IN THE
WORK PLACE
The biggest workplace
challenge is said to be the
employees work ethics.
interest in work and
attendance
Punctuality
commitment to the job,
and getting along with
others
Demands inculcation of
good character in the
workplace by employees.

good character
The Four Temperaments
Types of Character

the sensitive
the active (great and the
mediocre)
the apathetic (purely apathetic
or dull),
the intelligent.

Ethics and Character

Education and
Character
Building Character in
the Workplace

Building Character in the

Workplace
1. Employee Hiring, Training, and Promotion Activities

Institute and adopt an organization policy statement to

positive character in the workplace.

Prominently
and
explicitly
include
character
considerations in recruiting procedures
Emphasize the importance of character and adherence
to the six pillars of character(trustworthiness, respect,
responsibility, fairness, caring and citizenship)
Include evaluation of fundamental character values
Institute recognition and reward system for the
employees
Think of your employees

Building Character in the

Workplace
2. Internal Communication
to create a friendly environment that praises positive role
modeling
Through Internal newsletters, Workplace posters in canteens and
recreation rooms, Mailers, Electronic mails.

3. External Communication
In relations with customers, vendors and others.
Advertise and market honoring consensual values (the six
pillars),
Assure that none of your products and services undermines
character building,
Include positive messages about voluntarism and celebrate, and
Character counts week in advertising, billings and other mailers.

Building Character in the

Workplace
4. Financial and Human Resources
Support local and national character projects and the
activities of the members
Sponsor character movement through financial
support.

5. Community Outreach
Use public outreach structures to encourage
mentoring and other character-building programs.
Encourage educational and youth organizations to
become active in character building.
Use corporate influence to encourage business groups
and other companies to support character building.

SPIRITUALITY
Spirituality is a way of living that emphasizes the
constant awareness and recognition of the spiritual
dimension (mind and its development) of nature and
people, with a dynamic balance between the material
development and the spiritual development.
spirituality includes the faith or belief in supernatural
power
Spirituality
includes
creativity,
communication,
recognition of the individual as human being, respect
to others, acceptance, vision, and partnership
Spirituality is motivation as it encourages the
colleagues to perform better. Creativity in spirituality
means conscious efforts to see things differently, to
break out of habits and outdated beliefs to find new
ways of thinking, doing and being.

Spirituality in the
Workplace
is promoted in the workplace by adhering to the
following activities:
Verbally respect the individuals as humans and recognize
their values in all decisions
Get to know the people with whom you work and know
what is important to them. Know their goals
State your personal ethics and your beliefs clearly.
Support causes outside the business.
Encourage leaders to use value-based discretion in making
decisions.
Demonstrate your own self-knowledge and spirituality in
all your actions.
Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.`

Spirituality for Corporate

Excellence

The spiritual traits to be developed for excellence in

corporate activities are listed as follows:
Self-awareness
Alertness in observation and quickness in decision making,
Being visionary and value based
Holism
Compassion
Respect for diversity
Moral Autonomy
Creative thinking and constant reasoning
Ability to analyze and synthesize
Positive views of adversity
Humility
Sense of vocation