Ethics and Professionalism in Engineering

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1.1 Moral, ethics and professionalism

Moral:

  • It is a personal sense of right and wrong that guides individual behavior based on values.

Ethics:

  • It is a shared principles of right and wrong that helps groups or professions make decisions.

Professionalism:

  • Behaving responsibly and ethically in one’s field of work.

1.2 Characteristics of ethical decision making

  1. Consideration of consequence: Evaluating potential outcomes of choices.
  2. Fairness: Treating all parties equally.
  3. Transparency: Making decision openly and honestly.
  4. Respect for others: Recognizing the rights and dignity of individual.
  5. Honesty: Providing accurate information and truthfulness.
  6. Accountability: Taking responsibility for choices and action.
  7. Long term view: Considering sustainable decision.

1.3 Liability of engineers in design, construction and implementation of projects

 Liability is a legal responsibility for actions or outcomes.

Sources of liability:

1. Liabilities due to contract:

  • Breaking agreement made.
  • Not keeping promises.

2. Liabilities due to criminal law:

  • Committing criminal activity.
  • Engaging in illegal activities can result in legal liability.

3. Liabilities due to tort:

  • Causing harm or injury to others.
  • Negligence or intentional harm leading to legal liability.

Types of Liability:

1. Vicarious Liability:

  • Being responsible for someone else’s actions.
  • If your employee does something wrong at work you are also responsible.

Test to ascertain degree of vicarious liability:

  • Control test: To check if the person who caused harm was directed by other parties.
  • Business integration test: To check if the person causing harm was closely connected to the liable party’s business.
  • Multiple test: Both control and business factor.

2. Partnership Liability:

Sharing responsibility in a business group.

1.4 Loss of professionalism

Causes:

  • Lack of respect
  • Poor communication
  • Dishonesty
  • Lack of accountability
  • Unethical action

1.5 Ethical issue in professional engineering in dealing with other professions

  • Accounting: Providing false financial information.
  • Banking: Misusing private client data.
  • Law: Offering biased or incorrect legal advice.
  • Journalism: Giving inaccurate technical information to media.
  • Management: Sacrificing safety for quicker profit.

References:

  • Giddens, A. (2009). Sociology. Polity Press.
  • Kumar, A. (2014). Engineering Ethics and Human Values. Laxmi Publications.
  • Schaefer, R.T. (2018). Sociology: A Brief Introduction. McGraw-Hill Education.
  • Manual of Engineering Professional Practice (Nepal Engineering Council)

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