PROFESSIONALISM AND ENGINEERING CODES OF ETHICS

1. PROFESSIONALISM AND ENGINEERING CODES OF ETHICS John W. Poston, Sr. Department of Nuclear Engineering Texas A&M University

2. Readings and References C. E. Harris,Jr., M. S. Pritchard & M. R. Rabins, Engineering Ethics: Concepts and Cases, 2nd. Ed., Chapters 1 and 11. C. B. Fleddermann, Engineering Ethics, Chapter 2. P. A. Vesilind & A. S. Gunn, Engineering, Ethics and the Environment, Chapter 3.

3. TYPES OF EMPLOYMENT JOB – low-skill level required TRADE – manual skills, apprenticeships, often unionized SELF-EMPLOYED – non-professional or professional KNOWLEDGE WORKER – specifically educated or trained PROFESSIONAL – regulated knowledge worker

4. PROFESSIONALS Doctors Dentists Veterinarians Pharmacists Lawyers Accountants Architects Teachers Engineers Journalists Stock Brokers Athletes (?)

5. WHAT IS A PROFESSIONAL? Originally, one who professed adherence to monastic vows of a religious order. * a free act of commitment to a specific way of life * allegiance to high moral standards * skill, knowledge, practice of an art

6. WHAT IS A PROFESSIONAL? Today, it is one who is “duly qualified” in a specific field * special knowledge or education * appropriate experience * knowledge and skills vital to the well- being of a large potion of society * special sanction

7. MODELS OF PROFESSIONALISM Business Model * professional status provides economic gain * monopoly provides for high pay * self-regulation avoids government regulation

8. MODELS OF PROFESSIONALISM Social Contract Model * professional are guardians of public trust * an implicit, unstated agreement exists between professional and society * society may subsidize training of professionals

9. THE IMPLICIT AGGREEMENT Professionals agree to: * provide a service - for the public well-being - promote public welfare, even at own expense * self-regulation - enforce competence - enforce ethical standards

10. THE IMPLICIT AGGREEMENT Society agrees to: * allow a certain autonomy - freedom of self-regulation - freedom to choose clients * social status - respect from society, titles * high remuneration - reward for services - attract competent individuals

11. ATTRIBUTES OF A PROFESSION Requires sophisticated skills, use of judgment, and exercise of discretion Requires extensive formal education not simply practical training Public allows the control, admission, standards of conduct, and enforcement Results in significant public good

12. PROFESSIONAL TRAITS Extensive intellectual training (education) Specialized knowledge Skills vital to society Monopoly on service provided Autonomy, self-regulated Privilege/prestige Governed by a code of ethics

13. IS ENGINEERING A PROFESSION? Engineering meets all the definitions of a profession. A commonly held view, is that engineering is a profession. Engineers do not always hold the same status in society as that of lawyers or doctors.

14. ENGINEERING A profession that put power and materials to work for the benefit of mankind. In ancient times, there was no formal engineering education. Engineers built structures by trial and error. Engineering advances were made by learning from mistakes

15. ENGINEERING - HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE Engineering is an very old activity Engineers provided ways to improve the quality of life Engineers were responsible for much of ancient construction Engineers were responsible for many “machines” of war

16. THE QUALITY OF LIFE Examples: * power and energy sources * water supplies * cranes and hoists * ships and sea transport * land transport * ancient baths

17. ANCIENT CONSTRUCTION Examples: * Great wall of China * The pyramids in Egypt * The coliseum in Rome * Hadrian’s wall in the U.K. * The Pont du Gard in France * The dikes in the Netherlands

18. “MACHINES” OF WAR Examples: * bows and cross-bows * catapults * assault towers & battering rams * ships of war * rockets * Greek fire

19. WHY A CODE OF ETHICS? Define ideal behavior for the purpose of enhancing the pubic image Establish rules of conduct for policing its own members Encourage value-laden decisions for the public good

20. CODES OF ETHICS: THEIR DEVELOPMENT Not much known about early professional codes Medieval guilds codified their rules of conduct Underlying purpose of guild codes * enhance the power of the guild * provide job stability for members * provide wealth for members

21. Example: ASCE Code of Ethics ASCE founded in 1852, some members interested in a code of ethics * considered a “matter of honor” In 1893, proposed that a code of ethics be developed – again no action In 1912, new efforts to develop a code In 1913, Board appointed a committee

22. Example: ASCE Code of Ethics Code is representative of most codes One of the earliest codes Adopted in 1914, based in spirit on the Code of Hammurabi (about 1750 B.C.) * interactions between engineers and their clients * interactions among engineers

23. Example: ASCE Code of Ethics Has been modified frequently In 1963, modified to include statements about the engineer’s responsibility to the public No enforceable provision addressing the engineer’s responsibility toward the environment

24. Example: ASCE Code of Ethics Has three parts: * The Fundamental Canons - there are 7 canons dating back to the original code * The Guidelines to Practice - first published in 1961 - clarify and add detail to Canons * The Fundamental Principles - appeared in 1975 – politically motivated - verbatim from ABET Code of Ethics

25. Example: ASCE Code of Ethics Fundamental Canon: “Engineers shall hold paramount the safety, health, and welfare of the public in the performance of their professional duties” Fundamental Principle: “Engineers uphold and advance the integrity, honor and dignity of the engineering profession by using their skill for the enhancement of human welfare.”

26. Example: ASCE Code of Ethics About 2 million civil engineers in the U.S. About 100,000 members of the ASCE * membership in the ASCE is not required to practice engineering * ASCE has no legal or moral significance to some engineers * many graduates do not become licensed or join the ASCE

27. MYRIAD SOCIAL ROLES • Professional • Parent • Responsible child • Responsible citizen • Member of religious organization • Member of civic organization • Member of a political organization

28. Professional Ethics vs. Personal Ethics Overlap between professional and personal ethics Professional ethics more restrictive Personal ethics more restrictive Personal Ethics Professional Ethics Pro Per

29. PROFESSIONAL CODES“Interaction Rules” Increasingly severe consequences Indicate dedication to professional behavior Recognition of professional responsibilities Create ethical environment Guide in specific circumstances Serve as an educational tool Courtesy/Etiquette Morals/Ethics Professional Codes Laws

30. COMAPRISON OF CODES

31. WHY SUPPORT THE CODES? Implicit contract with society Articulates engineer’s responsibilities Framework for proper behavior Increase responsibility of the profession Gives weight to ethical decisions Condition of membership

32. LIMITATIONS OF THE CODES The codes are not a recipe for making decisions The codes cannot be used as a substitute for good judgment The codes do not cover every possible situation The codes are not a legal document

33. ASSIGNMENT Read “Auditory Visual Tracker” – (#3) “Borrowed Tools” – (#4) “Employment Opportunity” – (# 14) “Fire Detectors” – (#18) “Moral Beliefs in the Workplace” – (#31) “TV Antenna” – (#45)