PROFESSIONALISM AND ENGINEERING CODES OF

ETHICS

John W. Poston, Sr.Department of Nuclear Engineering

Texas A&M University

Readings and ReferencesC. 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.

TYPES OF EMPLOYMENTJOB – low-skill level requiredTRADE – manual skills, apprenticeships,

often unionizedSELF-EMPLOYED – non-professional or

professionalKNOWLEDGE WORKER – specifically

educated or trainedPROFESSIONAL – regulated knowledge

worker

PROFESSIONALSDoctors DentistsVeterinarians PharmacistsLawyers AccountantsArchitects TeachersEngineers JournalistsStock Brokers Athletes (?)

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

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

MODELS OF PROFESSIONALISM

Business Model* professional status provides economic gain* monopoly provides for high pay* self-regulation avoids government

regulation

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

THE IMPLICIT AGGREEMENTProfessionals agree to:

* provide a service- for the public well-being- promote public welfare, even at

own expense* self-regulation

- enforce competence- enforce ethical standards

THE IMPLICIT AGGREEMENTSociety 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

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

PROFESSIONAL TRAITS

Extensive intellectual training (education)Specialized knowledge Skills vital to societyMonopoly on service providedAutonomy, self-regulatedPrivilege/prestigeGoverned by a code of ethics

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.

ENGINEERINGA 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

ENGINEERING - HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE

Engineering is an very old activityEngineers provided ways to improve the

quality of lifeEngineers were responsible for much of

ancient constructionEngineers were responsible for many

“machines” of war

THE QUALITY OF LIFE

Examples:* power and energy sources* water supplies * cranes and hoists* ships and sea transport* land transport* ancient baths

ANCIENT CONSTRUCTIONExamples:

* 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

“MACHINES” OF WARExamples:

* bows and cross-bows* catapults* assault towers & battering rams* ships of war* rockets* Greek fire

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

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

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

Example: ASCE Code of Ethics

Code is representative of most codesOne of the earliest codesAdopted in 1914, based in spirit on the

Code of Hammurabi (about 1750 B.C.)* interactions between engineers and their clients* interactions among engineers

Example: ASCE Code of Ethics

Has been modified frequentlyIn 1963, modified to include statements

about the engineer’s responsibility to the public

No enforceable provision addressing the engineer’s responsibility toward the environment

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

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.”

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

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

Professional Ethics vs. Personal Ethics

Overlap between professional and personal ethics

Professional ethics more restrictivePersonal ethics more restrictive

Professional Ethics

Personal EthicsPro Per

PROFESSIONAL CODES“Interaction Rules”

Indicate dedication to professional behaviorRecognition of professional responsibilitiesCreate ethical environmentGuide in specific circumstancesServe as an educational tool

Increasingly severe consequences

Courtesy/Etiquette Morals/Ethics Professional Codes Laws

COMAPRISON OF CODESNSPE AIChE IEEE ASCE ASME ABET

Uphold public welfare X X X X X XFaithful to employer & clients X X X X XConflicts of interest X X X X X XPractice only in areas of competence X X X X X XObjective and truthful X X X X X XDignity & integrity X X X X XBribes X X X XPromote and develop profession X X X X X XAccept responsibility X X X XAcknowledge contributions of others X X X X XRecruiting X XAdequate compensation X XPublic service X X XEnvironment X XDo not discriminate by race, gender, etc. XStikes & picket lines X

WHY SUPPORT THE CODES?

Implicit contract with societyArticulates engineer’s responsibilitiesFramework for proper behaviorIncrease responsibility of the professionGives weight to ethical decisionsCondition of membership

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

ASSIGNMENTRead

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