PROFESSIONAL ETHICS AND HUMAN VALUES

ENGINEERING ETHICS AND VALUES IN ENGINEERING PROFESSION

• Engineering Ethics refers to the principles and standards that guide the behaviour of
engineers in their professional practice.
• Ethics are essential in engineering because engineers design and build systems that
affect people's lives, the environment, and society.
• Engineering ethics involves identifying and addressing ethical issues that arise in
engineering practice, such as safety, sustainability, and social responsibility.

Engineering Ethics also includes promoting ethical behaviour by engineers, ensuring that they
adhere to ethical codes of conduct, and providing a framework for resolving ethical dilemmas.
Engineering ethics aims to promote trust in the engineering profession and to ensure that
engineers act in the best interest of society. Engineering ethics also involves balancing the
needs of different stakeholders, including clients, the public, and the environment, and making
decisions that are morally and ethically sound.

What is Engineering Ethics?

Engineering ethics is the study of moral issues that confront engineers and engineering
organizations when some crucial decisions are taken. Engineering research and practice require
that the task being performed considers all the pros and cons of a certain action and its
implementation.

Professional engineering bodies like IEK, EBK, etc., have evolved comprehensive ethics codes
relevant to their respective professions, based on the rich experience of their members.
Independent organizations have prepared value-based ethical codes applicable to all
engineering professions.

These are mentioned below:

• Engineering is transforming science into useful products for human comfort.

• Engineering is something that engineers do, and what they do has profound effects on
others.

• Engineering ethics is the ability as well as the responsibility of an engineer to judge his
decisions from the context of the general well-being of society.

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Factors Affecting Ethical Standards in Engineering

Engineering is a field that requires not only technical expertise but also a strong sense of ethical
responsibility.

Ethical standards in engineering refer to the moral principles and values that guide the
behaviour and decision-making of engineers in their professional and personal lives.

Adhering to ethical standards is crucial to maintaining the public's trust and ensuring the safety
and well-being of society.

However, there are various factors that can influence the ethical standards of engineers, here
some of those factors are listed below.

• Engineering as experimentation for the good of mankind is a notable factor involving

far-reaching consequences

• Ethical dilemmas make engineering decisions relatively difficult to make.

• Risk and safety of citizens as social responsibility is a prime concern of an engineer

• Technological advancement can be very demanding on the engineering skill in the

global context

• Moral values and responsible conduct will play a crucial role in decision-making.

Comparison Between Ethics and Engineering Ethics

Ethics is a branch of philosophy that deals with moral principles, values, and codes of conduct
that govern human behaviour.

It is a field that is concerned with distinguishing right from wrong and providing guidelines for
ethical decision-making. Engineering ethics, on the other hand, is a specialized branch of ethics
that focuses on the ethical issues and considerations that arise in the field of engineering.

The comparison between these two can be done as follows:

Ethics

• Study of right or wrong.

• Good and evil.

• Obligations & rights.

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 • Social and Political Deals.

Engineering Ethics

• Study of the moral issues and decisions confronting individuals and organizations
engaged in engineering/profession.

• Study of related questions about the moral ideals, character, policies, and relationships
of people and corporations involved in technological activity.

• Moral standards/values and system of morals.

Need to Study Engineering Ethics

Engineering is a profession that plays a critical role in shaping the world we live in. From
designing buildings and infrastructure to developing new technologies, engineers have a
significant impact on society. However, with this power comes a great responsibility to act in
an ethical manner.

The consequences of unethical engineering decisions can be severe, from endangering public
safety to damaging the environment. Therefore, there is a growing need to study engineering
ethics.

The study of engineering ethics involves examining the ethical considerations that arise in the
practice of engineering. It is essential for engineers to understand the ethical principles and
values that guide their profession and to apply them in their daily work. Through the study of
engineering ethics, engineers can learn to recognize and navigate ethical dilemmas, make
informed decisions, and maintain the public's trust in their profession.

Moreover, studying engineering ethics can help engineers develop a sense of responsibility
towards society and the environment. They can learn to balance the competing demands of
profitability, safety, and sustainability, and to prioritize the well-being of people and the planet
over short-term gains. Overall, the study of engineering ethics is crucial to ensure that engineers
act ethically and responsibly and contribute to a better and more just society.

Scope of Engineering Ethics

The scope of engineering ethics is a very wide sense, here activities are mentioned that envelop
the scope of the ethics in engineering.

1. Engineering as a social experimentation

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 2. Engineer's responsibility for safety

3. Role of engineers, managers, consultants, etc.

4. Rights of engineers

5. Moral Reasoning and ethical theories

6. Responsibility to employers

7. Global issues and concerns

Difference Between Morality and Ethics

Morality and ethics are very similar terms but these have many differences that are described
below.

Morality

• Refers only to personal behaviour.

• Refers to any aspect of human action.

• Social conventions about right or wrong conduct.

Ethics

• Involves defining, analysing, evaluating, and resolving moral problems

• and developing moral criteria to guide human behaviour.

• Critical reflection on what one does and why one does it.

• Refers only to professional behaviour.

Important Points about Engineering Ethics

Engineering ethics are very broad to study, here few important points are described to
understand more about engineering ethics.

Method used to Solve an Ethical Problem

• Recognizing a problem or its need.

• Gathering information and defining the problem to be solved or goal to be achieved.

• Generating alternative solutions or methods to achieve the goal.

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 • Evaluate the benefits and costs of alternate solutions.

• Decision-making and optimization.

• Implementing the best solution.

Senses of Engineering Ethics

• An activity and area of inquiry.

• Ethical problems, issues, and controversies.

• The particular set of beliefs, attitudes, and habits.

• Morally correct.

Micro-ethics

It deals with some typical and everyday problems which play an important role in the field of
engineering and in the profession of an engineer.

Macro-ethics

It deals with all the societal problems which are unknown and suddenly burst out on a regional
or national level.

Types of Inquiry

• Normative Inquiry – Based on values.

• Conceptual Inquiry – Based on meaning.

• Factual Inquiry – Based on facts.

Need for Authority

Authority provides the framework in which learning can take place.

Criteria Required for a Profession

• Knowledge

• Organization

• Public Good

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General Criteria to Become a Professional Engineer

• Attaining standards of achievement in education, job performance, or creativity in

engineering that distinguish engineers from engineering technicians and technologists.

• Accepting as part of their professional obligations at least the most basic moral
responsibilities to the public as well as to their employers, clients, colleagues, and
subordinates.

Integrity

Integrity is the bridge between responsibility in private and professional life.

Compromise

In a negative sense, it means undetermined integrity by violating one’s fundamental moral

principles. In a positive sense, however, it means settling differences by mutual concessions or
reconciling conflicts through adjustments in attitude and conduct.

Aspects of Honesty

• Truthfulness – meeting responsibilities concerning truth-telling.

• Trustworthiness – Meeting responsibilities concerning trust.

Self-respect

It is a moral concept; that refers to the virtue of properly valuing oneself.

Forms of Self-respect

• Recognition self-respect

• Appraisal self-respect

Self-esteem

It is a psychological concept; that means having a positive attitude toward oneself, even if the
attitude is excessive or otherwise unwarranted.

Types of Theories about Morality

• Virtue ethics – Virtues and vices

• Utilitarianism – best for the most people

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 • Duty ethics – Duties to respect people

• Rights ethics – Human rights

Rawl's Principles

• Each person is entitled to the most extensive amount of liberty compatible with an equal
amount for others.

• Differences in social power and economic benefits are justified only when they are
likely to benefit everyone, including members of the most disadvantaged groups.

Tests Required to Evaluate the Ethical Theories

• Theory must be clear and formulated with concepts that are coherent and applicable.

• It must be internally consistent in that none of its tenets contradicts any other.

• Neither the theory nor its defense can rely upon false information.

• It must be sufficiently comprehensive to provide guidance in specific situations of

interest to us.

• It must be compatible with our most carefully considered moral convictions about
concrete situations.

Drawback of Duty Ethics

Duty ethics does not always lead to a solution that maximizes the public good.

Drawbacks of Rights Ethics

• How do we prioritize the rights of different individuals?

• It often promotes the rights of individuals at the expense of large groups or societies.

Ethical Egoism

It is the view that the right action consists in producing one’s own good.

Ethical Relativism

It is the view that the right action is merely what the law and customs of one’s society require.

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Ethical Pluralism

Ethical pluralism is the view that there may be alternative moral perspectives that are
reasonable, but no one of which must be accepted completely by all rational and morally
concerned persons.

Religion

A religion is any set of articles of faith together with the observances, attitudes, obligations,
and feelings tied up there, which, in so far as it is influential in a person, tends to perform two
functions, one social and the other person.

Uses of Ethical Theories

• In understanding moral dilemmas

• Justifying professional obligations and ideals

• Relating ordinary and professional morality

General Features of Morally Responsible Engineers

• Comprehensive perspective.

• Purpose of various types of standards:

• Accuracy in measurement, interchangeability, and ease of handling.

• Prevention of injury, death, and loss of income or property.

• The fair value of price.

• Competence in carrying out tasks.

• Sound design, ease of communication.

• Freedom from interference.

Ethics of Technology

It is a sub-field of Ethics and is generally sub-divided into two areas:

• The ethics involved in the development of new technology – whether it is always, never,
or contextually right or wrong, to invent and implement a technological innovation.

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 • The ethical questions that are exacerbated by the ways in which technology extends or
curtails the power of individuals – how standard ethical questions are changed by the
new powers.

Code

A code is a set of standards and laws.

Roles of Codes

• Inspiration and Guidance

• Support

• Deterrence and Discipline

• Education and Mutual Understanding

• Contributing to the Profession’s Public Image

• Protecting the Status Quo

• Promoting Business Interests

Limitations of Codes

• Codes are restricted to general and vague wording.

• Codes can’t give a solution or method for solving internal conflicts.

• Codes cannot serve as the final moral authority for professional conduct.

• Codes can be reproduced in a very rapid manner.

Issues in Computer Ethics

• Power Relationship

• Job Elimination

• Customer Relations

• Biased Software

• Stock Trading

• Unrealistic Expectations

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 • Political Power

• Military Weapons

• Property

• Embezzlement

• Data and Software

• Privacy

• Cyber crimes

• Computer Virus

• Technostress

• Cyber Scams and Frauds

• Internet Defamation

• Software Piracy

• Cyber Squatting

• Inappropriate Access

• Data Bank Errors

• Hackers

• Legal Responses

• Professional Issues

• Computer Failures

• Computer Implementation

Ways to Promote an Ethical Climate

• Ethical values in their full complexity are widely acknowledged and appreciated by
managers and employees alike.

• The sincere use of ethical language must be recognized as a legitimate part of the
corporate dialogue.

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 • The top-level management must establish a moral tone in words, in policies, by personal
example, etc.

• The management must establish some procedures for resolving conflicts.

Usage of the Code of Conduct

• The code of conduct will help the engineers to have a set of standards of behaviour.

• They act as guidelines for their behaviour. It helps to create workplaces where
employees are encouraged to make ethical implications.

Engineering Code of Ethics

The members of the IEK, EBK, KETRB, in recognition of the importance of their technologies
affecting the quality of life throughout the world, and in accepting a personal obligation to their
profession, its members, and the communities they serve, do hereby commit themselves to the
highest ethical and professional conduct and agree.

• To accept responsibility in making engineering decisions consistent with the safety,

health, and welfare of the public, and to disclose promptly factors that might endanger
the public or the environment.

• To avoid real or perceived conflicts of interest whenever possible and to disclose them
to the affected parties when they do exist.

• To be honest and realistic in stating claims or estimates based on available data.

• To reject bribery in all its forms.

• To improve the understanding of technology, its appropriate application, and potential

consequences.

• To maintain and improve their technical competence and to undertake technological

tasks for others only if qualified by training or experience, or after full disclosure of
pertinent limitations.

• To seek, accept and offer honest criticism of technical work, to acknowledge and
correct errors, and to credit properly the contributions of others.

• To treat fairly all persons regardless of factors such as religion, gender, disability, age,
or national origin.

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 • To avoid injuring others, their property, reputation, or employment by false or
malicious action.

• To assist colleagues and co-workers in their professional development and to support

them in following this code of ethics.

Code of Ethics of Engineers

• Engineers shall hold paramount the safety, health, and welfare of the public in the
performance of their professional duties.

• Engineers shall perform services only in the areas of their competence.

• Engineers shall issue public statements only in an objective and truthful manner.

• Engineers shall act in professional matters for each employer or client as faithful agents
or trustees and shall avoid conflicts of interest.

• Engineers shall build their professional reputation on the merit of their services and
shall not compete unfairly with others.

• Engineers shall act in such a manner as to uphold and enhance the honor, integrity, and
dignity of the profession.

• Engineers shall continue their professional development throughout their careers and
shall provide opportunities for the professional development of those engineers under
their supervision.

Social Responsibility to Uphold Ethical Values of the Society

Ethical values of society consist of several parameters. Some of these parameters are described
below.

• Public Safety: Engineers shall ensure the safety, health, and welfare of the public in the
performance of their professional duties. The safety of the people must always come
first. They should promptly disclose to all concerned the factors that might endanger
public safety or the environment.

• Compliance with social order: Engineers shall abide by the laws of the land in which
the work is performed, respect the local customs, uphold human rights, safeguard public
property; abjure violence and acts of terrorism.

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 • Impartiality and fairness: Engineers shall treat fairly all persons regardless of such
factors as race, caste, religion, state, gender, or national origin.

• Environment Protection and Sustainable Development: Engineers shall strive to protect

and maintain clean, healthy, and safe environments, sustainable development, and
comply with the statutory requirements.

Responsibility to Maintain High Standards of Professional Quality

• Development of Technical and Managerial Skills: Engineers shall maintain state-of-

the-art professional skills, continue professional development, and provide an
opportunity for the professional development of those working under their command.

• Undertake Assignment where professionally competent: Engineers shall perform

service only in the area of their technical competence.

• Performance Responsibility: Engineers shall seek work through fair and proper
methods, and shall take full responsibility for the task undertaken by them.

• Proper Verification of Document and Production Processes: Engineers shall approve

only those designs, which safely and economically meet the requirement of the client
and shall not approve any engineering document, design, materials, or stages of work
that they consider to be unsound.

Obligation to Maintain a High Standard of Personal Behaviour in a Responsible Manner

• Honesty and Integrity in Professional Dealing: Engineers shall maintain a high degree
of honesty and personal integrity in all their professional dealings. They shall conduct
themselves in a fair, honest, and respectable manner.

• Compensation for Services rendered: Engineers shall not engage in unhealthy

competition.

• Professional Opinion: Engineers shall seek and offer honest criticism of technical work,
acknowledge errors, and give proper credit for the contribution of others. Where
necessary, engineers shall issue public statements in an objective and truthful manner.

• Professional Relationship with the Employer: Engineers shall act faithfully as trustees
of the employer/client on professional matters.

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 • Information Communication with employers: Engineers shall keep their employer and
client fully informed on all matters relating to the progress of business including
financial aspects, which may affect the assigned work.

• Mutual Obligation and Trust: Engineers shall not, maliciously or falsely, injure the
professional reputation of another engineer or organization.

• Self Promotion: Engineers shall build their reputation based on the merits of services to
the customers and shall not falsify or misrepresent their contribution.

• Employer's Business Secrets: Engineers shall not disclose by any means, confidential
information of the employer or client unless otherwise authorized.

• Personal Conflicts: Engineers shall disclose real or perceived conflicts of interest to

affected parties and avoid these where possible.

The Kenya Engineering Technology Registration Board (KETRB) - Mandate

The Kenya Engineering Technology Registration Board (KETRB) is established by the

Engineering Technology Act, No 23 of 2016. The Act mandates the Board to regulate the
practice and set standards for Engineering Technologists, technicians, craft-persons and
artisans.

Its mandate includes;

• Issue licenses to qualified persons under the provisions of the Act

• Take disciplinary measures in accordance with the provisions of The Act

• Enter and Inspect sites where Construction, Installation, Erection, Alteration,

Renovation, Maintenance, Processing or Manufacturing works

• Recommend for the suspension of any Engineering Technology Professional Services,

Works, Projects, Installation process or any other Engineering Technology works,
which are done without meeting the standards

• Assess, approve or reject engineering technology qualifications of foreign persons

intending to offer engineering technology professional services or works in Kenya

• Enter and inspect business premises for verification purposes or for monitoring works,
services and goods rendered by Professional Engineering Technologists

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• Set Standards for Engineering Technologists in Management, Marketing, Professional
Ethics, Environmental Issues, Safety, Legal matters or any other relevant field

• Conduct Professional Examinations for the purposes of registration where applicable

• Collaborate with Engineering Technology Training Institutions and Organisations,

Professional Associations and other relevant bodies in matters relating to Training and
Professional Development of Engineering Technologists

• Plan, Arrange, Co-ordinate and oversee professional training and facilitate Internship
of Engineering Technologists

• Determine the fees to be charged by Engineering Technologists and firms for

Professional services rendered from time to time

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Practice Questions Engineering Ethics

Question 1:

An engineer designs a small structural steel building for a client, using pirated structural design
software obtained from the Internet. The engineer later learns that the software gives accurate
stress analysis for tension, but does not properly predict the buckling of columns in
compression. The computer program is patched, and a revised analysis shows that the building
is not as safe as first believed. An extreme snowfall could cause the supporting columns to
buckle, and the building might collapse completely. Such severe snowfall occurs about once
every 10 years. What should the engineer do?

i. Destroy all evidence of the revised analysis and hope for good weather.

ii. Contact the client, disclose the problem, and tell the client to sue the software
developer.

iii. Hire a good defense lawyer for the Association's disciplinary hearing against
the engineer for negligence and unprofessional conduct.

iv. Contact the client, disclose the problem, and try to negotiate a way to reinforce
the columns.

Question 2:

The main purpose of the code of ethics is to

i. conform to the tradition established by technical societies.

ii. conform to the tradition established by other professions.

iii. protect the public.

iv. improve the image of the engineering profession.

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Question 3:

Occasionally, a conflict of interest may occur accidentally or unavoidably. In such cases, the
best course of action is to

i. keep the conflict-of-interest secret, but try not to let it affect your decisions.

ii. disclose the conflict to a fellow engineer and ask for advice.

iii. ignore the conflict of interest; it is one of the benefits of a professional job.

iv. disclose the conflict to your employer and anyone else directly involved.

Question 4:

A person who has graduated from an engineering program at an accredited university, but has
not obtained a license to practice engineering

i. must follow the code of ethics of a technical society if the person practices
engineering.

ii. must not practice engineering.

iii. must not practice engineering, except under the supervision of a licensed
engineer.

iv. must follow the code of ethics, if the person practices engineering.

Question 5:
a) Briefly explain FOUR qualities of a self-confident engineer.
b) Define moral values with suitable example.
c) Briefly explain the types of Values citing examples.
Question 6:
a) Explain Kohlberg’s and Gilligan’s approach to moral judgements.
b) Define Moral values with suitable examples.
c) Define professionalism.
d) Define work ethic.

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Question 7:
a) Briefly explain the role of Values and Ethics in Organizations.
b) Briefly explain what entails technology transfer.
c) Briefly explain the engineers Obligations to Society.
d) State FIVE professional obligations of an engineer.

Question 8:
a) Giving examples explain FIVE characteristics of a good work ethic.
b) Briefly Explain in detail about moral leadership relating to engineering.

Question 9:
a) Explain the role of engineers as manager.
b) Briefly explain the leading factors of corporate social responsibility.

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