Stimulating the moral imagination Recognizing ethical issues Developing analytical skills Eliciting a sense of responsibility Tolerating disagreement and ambiguity
“Technology can have no legitimacy unless it inflicts no harm”-Adm.H.G. Rickover, father of the US nuclear navy. – What does Adm. Rickover mean by this? – Should engineers avoid technology that has the potential for inflicting harm on a society or its members? Engineers have an ethical and social responsibility to themselves, their clients and society. Practically (although there is much debate about this), engineering ethics is about balancing cost, schedule, and risk. ENGINEERING ETHICS is: The study of moral issues and decisions confronting individuals and organizations involved in engineering and the study of related questions about moral ideals, character, policies and relationships of people and organizations involved in technological activity.
There are two aspects to ethics: The first involves the ability to discern right from wrong, good from evil and propriety from impropriety. The second involves the commitment to do what is right, good and proper. Ethics entails action. An ALGEBRA course will teach you ALGEBRA. A HISTORY course will teach you HISTORY. A MANAGEMENT course will teach you principles of MANAGEMENT. But, Will an ETHICS course teach you to be ETHICAL? Think
Concerns the goodness of voluntary human conduct that affects the self or other living things Morality (Latin mores) usually refers to any aspect of human action Ethics (Greek ethos) commonly refers only to professional behavior Ethics consist of the application of fundamental moral principles and reflect our dedication to fair treatment of each other, and of society as a whole. An individual’s own values can result in acceptance or rejection of society’s ethical standards because even thoughtfully developed ethical rules can conflict with individual values.
The “Golden Rule” is a basic tenet in almost all religions: Christian, Hindu, Jewish, Confucian, Buddhist, Muslim. “Do unto others as you would have others do unto you.” “Treat others as you would like them to treat you” (Christian). “Hurt not others with that which pains you” (Buddhist) “What is hateful to yourself do not do to your fellow men” (Judaism) “No man is a true believer unless he desires for his brother that which he desires for himself” (Islam)
Software piracy Expense account padding Copying of homework or tests Income taxes “Borrowing” nuts and bolts, office supplies from employer Copying of Videos or CD’s Plagiarism Using the copy machine at work
Simply put, all individuals are morally autonomous beings with the power and right to choose their values, but it does not follow that all choices and all value systems have an equal claim to be called ethical. Actions and beliefs inconsistent with the Six Pillars of Character - trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring and citizenship - are simply not ethical.
Morals are guiding principles that every citizen should hold. Morals are foundational concepts defined on both an individual and societal level. At the most basic level, morals are the knowledge of the difference between right and wrong.
- Values are individual in nature. - Values are comprised of personal concepts of responsibility, entitlement and respect. - Values are shaped by personal experience, may change over the span of a --lifetime and may be influenced by lessons learned. - Values may vary according to an individual’s cultural, ethnic and/or faith-based background. “Never change your core values.” In spite of all the change around you, decide upon what you will never change: your core values. Take your time to decide what they are but once you do, do not compromise on them for any reason. Integrity is one such value.
An elderly carpenter was ready to retire. He told his employer-contractor of his plans to leave the house- building business and live a more leisurely life with his wife enjoying his extended family. He would miss his paycheck, but he needed to retire. They could get by. The contractor was sorry to see his good worker go and asked if he could build just one more house as a personal favor. The carpenter said yes, but in time it was easy to see that his heart was not in his work. He resorted to shoddy workmanship and used inferior materials. It was an unfortunate way to end his career. When the carpenter finished his work and the builder came to inspect the house, the contractor handed over the house key to the carpenter. “This is your house,” he said, “it is my parting gift to you.” What a shock! What a Shame! If only he had known he was building his own house, he would have done it all so differently. Now he had to live in the home he built none too well. Do we find ourselves in similar situations as the carpenter? Moving through our work hours fast paced, driven to “get the job done”, without much thought to moral values. How do we regain our focus as individuals and organizations? This is the challenge for the employee and the employer. Ethics are fundamental standards of conduct by which we work as a professional.
