Before I took E125, I had a fairly limited understanding of what constituted engineering ethics. Still, I had an opinion of what it was. I had an understanding of engineering and ethics as well, and combining them didn’t seem to be too hard. I viewed engineering as a practical fusion of math and science for the purpose of creating new technologies or architectural structures for the benefit of humanity. And I had discussions about ethics, and how ethics differs itself from the idea of morals, in English class in high school. Ethics was very much a societal implementation of values, like codes of conduct, to help serve as a guideline for people, engineers included. Going back to what I wrote about what I hoped to gain from the class in my learning proposal:
“I hope to gain some knowledge in being able to more concretely shape my idea of what engineering is, and of what engineers do. This class will hopefully help me gain some experience as well in the ethical practices of engineering and in discussing in small groups during discussion about articles pertaining to ethics in engineering.”
Were any of these assumptions challenged or changed? Why or why not? (Refer to specific assignments that are in your ePortfolio.)
Looking back and reading through my learning proposal, I definitely know that my presentation and communication skills were tested. I made sure not to speak with notes to help me speak on the fly; I prepared beforehand, so I did know what I was talking about. Also, the article Alice Pawley wrote, How Engineers Define Engineering, really broadened my understanding of what engineering is. Moreover, visiting the Berkeley Museum of Art seemed to coincide with the idea described in the article. Engineering, like art, is a very broad topic: art can be functional, and like engineering, can bring about discussions about ethical issues. The aesthetics of art don’t need to be the only thing connected with engineering. Still, art isn’t really the entire purpose of engineering, nor is it the most important.
What does it mean to be an ethical engineer?
Being an ethical engineer is not simply following a code of ethics. In fact, during interview presentations, I noticed that a few people had said that their interviewee did not really use a code of ethics when being faced with an ethical decision. Mostly, they had followed their own ethical code, their moral code, if you will. The examples of the BART and the Challenger were also examples of ethical engineers trying to stand up and say that some engineering project was not safe. In fact, even if their fears were not vindicated, as in the case of the BART or the Challenger dilemmas, legitimately questioning the safety of a project is an important part of being an ethical engineer.
How does (or should) ethics fit into the larger engineering curriculum?
Ethics is involved with every design and decision in engineering, and thus, shouldn’t simply be taught as one unending chunk. It needs to be broken up and discussed regularly in engineering curriculum, just like it should be in the workplace.
What is/are the engineer’s societal role(s)? Or, what should the engineer’s role be?
Just like the case of the BART, or another case from the Ethics textbook, the case of Johan van Veen, in the section on human welfare, engineering designs can have devastating effects if they fail. The professional code of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) states that “engineers shall use their knowledge and skill for the enhancement of human welfare.” This definition, although short, gives a very fair societal role.
What is your future learning plan?
One great way to incorporate a future learning plan is to read other ethics blogs. Because engineering is built around collaboration and discussion, reading the opinions of others allows you to imbibe new perspectives of others. There may be people in specific fields focusing on nuclear engineering ethics of bio-engineering ethics, so you can diversify yourself as well. http://abutec.com/ is just an example of a link to a blog I can visit. In fact, simply reading books and listening to debates on issues not even relating to engineering can help built an ethical framework. As was stated before, ASCE states engineers should use their knowledge and skill for advancing human welfare. Thus, understanding where human welfare needs enhancing is important, and being politically aware, of local, national, and even global politics can create opportunities for social and economic benefit via the introduction of engineering projects, such as water filtration systems to poor countries where people are dying of lack of potable drinking water. These seem like lofty goals and initially they are. Discussions about ethics with friends is a lot easier and more informal, This propagates a culture of ethical discussion, which is very important for guiding us towards a more ethical frame of mindset when doing engineering, amongst other fields.