Prompt #2

Defining ethics.

Engineering ethics is defined as the field of applied ethics and system of moral principles that apply to the practice of engineering. The field examines and sets obligations for engineers to the society, to their clients and profession. In simpler terms, engineering ethics are the guidelines helping engineers do the right thing throughout their profession.

The National Society of Professional Engineers developed the Engineering code of ethics that require honesty, impartiality, fairness, and equity, from all practicing engineers. It also emphasizes that engineers 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. The fundamental canons of the code of ethics as listed by the National society of professional engineers state; Engineers, in the fulfillment of their professional duties, shall: 

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.

LeMessurier , a structural engineer for the Citicorp building –fourth tallest skyscraper in New York, was faced with a big problem when upon being asked by an engineering student about his design realized that the building might collapse when certain strong winds came in a certain direction. He discovered a flaw in his initial calculations. Citicorp was such a gigantic building that telling people about the flaw in design would cause mass panic. LeMessurier could have kept quiet of committed suicide but he did not. As an engineer he had to do the right thing. He communicated with his client about the design deficiencies and proposed a remediation by reinforcing the building. LeMessurier has gained respect for his ethical conduct even in circumstance of costing mistakes. Such is expected of all practicing engineers.

More often than not-and usually not under the best of circumstance-the engineering ethics are vaguely understood. Whenever there is a disaster like a space ship exploding during takeoff or plane crashing, all fingers point to engineers but it should also be understood that failure in rocket launching and construction can also happen due to other factors that require as much investigation.

Ethics is indeed a crucial part of professionalism.  It helps the men and women who create anything that does not exist naturally to know how to do things right and to do the right thing. Thanks to ethics, doing the wrong thing is not an option in Engineering.

-Panashe M.

Sources:

"Code of Ethics." Code of Ethics. National Society of Professional Engineers, n.d. Web. 24 Sept. 2015. <http://www.nspe.org/resources/ethics/code-ethics>.

Fleddermann, Charles B. Engineering Ethics. 4th ed. N.p.: n.p., n.d. Print.

"Engineering Ethics." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 7 May 2015. Web. 25 Sept. 2015. <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Engineering_ethics>.