Ethical Issues Facing Engineers and their Profession

ABSTRACT: Frequently, and in many different countries, the engineering professionals are criticized for a number of occurrences that took place and which adversely affected people or the environment. Everything that engineers do affects the society and its development and, occasionally, the consequences of these actions are not fully thought out, not anticipated, or not fully understood, but the results are undesirable just the same. In order to meet the challenges of the time engineers must be properly prepared to face the moral, legal and ethical ramifications of their actions. Thus, to meet their responsibilities to society at large and the global community, engineers must be equipped with the knowledge and ability to fully and cogently explain their actions as well as the methods to be used to implement their decisions. This is particularly important in presenting the engineering alternatives that are considered so that informed conclusions can be drawn and appropriate decisions drawn involving different segments of the society. Educating young engineers about to enter the practice of their chosen profession how to help arrive to the compromises to be implemented becomes one of the paramount items of contemporary engineering education. Case studies detailing occurrences and accidents that took place, explanations of recalls implemented by major manufacturers or evolving legislation engendered by events that triggered introduction of these, are examined in detail in preparing engineers to face this contemporary challenge. Ethical theories are presented as are codes of ethics that different professional societies developed and which provide the structure for this paradigm of professional practice. Solving conflict of interest problems that are encountered in practice help explain the approaches to risk, safety and reduction of accidents.