9.engineers and global issue

8/7/2019 9.ENGINEERS AND GLOBAL ISSUE

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ENGINEERS ANDENGINEERS AND

GLOBAL ISSUEGLOBAL ISSUEDefining Engineering EthicsDefining Engineering Ethics

1.1. Engineeing ethics for this discussion is theEngineeing ethics for this discussion is theidentification, study and resolutionidentification, study and resolution ofofethical problems occuring in the practice of theethical problems occuring in the practice of theprofession of engineering.profession of engineering.

2.2. Engineering ethics is a branch of a broaderEngineering ethics is a branch of a broaderethical concern involving the impact ofethical concern involving the impact oftechnology on society.technology on society.


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What is unique to Engineering?What is unique to Engineering?

Some of the ethical questions facing bySome of the ethical questions facing byengineers are unique while others areengineers are unique while others are

common.common. The uniqueness is related to theThe uniqueness is related to the

specialised knowledge inherent in thespecialised knowledge inherent in thevarious branches of engineering.various branches of engineering.


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Basic ResponsibilityBasic Responsibility

To assure that not only ones corporateTo assure that not only ones corporatesuperiors, but also the public are informed ofsuperiors, but also the public are informed ofboth the intended benefits as well as theboth the intended benefits as well as the

potential harmful side effects of any engineeringpotential harmful side effects of any engineeringtechnology or consumer product.technology or consumer product.

eg.a).The problem of storing uranium andeg.a).The problem of storing uranium andplutonium waste products from Nuclear powerplutonium waste products from Nuclear power

and weapons.and weapons. b).The problem of air pollution caused byb).The problem of air pollution caused by

automobiles and coal burning power plants.automobiles and coal burning power plants.


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Scop of Engineering EthicsScop of Engineering Ethics

Ethics of the workplace:Ethics of the workplace:

CoCo--workers, Employer, Employee.workers, Employer, Employee.

Ethics related to product of work:Ethics related to product of work:

End product safety, end users,etc.End product safety, end users,etc.


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Public perception of EngineersPublic perception of Engineers

Subservient.Subservient.

Afraid of Offending Employers over ethicalAfraid of Offending Employers over ethical

concerns.concerns. Low public profile.Low public profile.

Little corporate voice.Little corporate voice.


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Engineering Codes of EthicsEngineering Codes of Ethics

Early Codes:Early Codes:

Codes of personal behaviour.Codes of personal behaviour.

Codes for honesty in buisness dealings andCodes for honesty in buisness dealings andfair business practices.fair business practices.

Newer Codes:Newer Codes:

Responsibility to public interest.Responsibility to public interest.

Personal ethics in workplace.Personal ethics in workplace.


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Are Engineering Codes Needed?Are Engineering Codes Needed?

NO/YESNO/YES

NONO

Engineers are capable of fending forEngineers are capable of fending forthemselves.themselves.

Common law is available to defend inCommon law is available to defend in

ethical disputes.ethical disputes. Offended public can seek redressOffended public can seek redress

through coutrs.through coutrs.


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Cont.Cont.

YESYES

Engineers have few or no resources to defendEngineers have few or no resources to defendthemselves in an ethical dispute.themselves in an ethical dispute.

Common law is available in reality only withCommon law is available in reality only withgreat difficulty.great difficulty.

Conversely, the public has similar problems inConversely, the public has similar problems in

seeking redress through legal channels.seeking redress through legal channels.


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What Can A Code Accomplish?What Can A Code Accomplish?

Clearly define expected behaviour for theClearly define expected behaviour for theprofession.profession.

Sets high standards for the workplace andSets high standards for the workplace andpublic dealings.public dealings.

Forms a basis for discipline of violators.Forms a basis for discipline of violators.

Forms a basis for support for adherents.Forms a basis for support for adherents.


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The IEM Codes of EthicsThe IEM Codes of Ethics( Other than BEM/Engineers Act 1967 )( Other than BEM/Engineers Act 1967 )

The code Stems from the IEM ConstitutionThe code Stems from the IEM Constitution

To Safeguard the interest of Engineers in any branch.To Safeguard the interest of Engineers in any branch.

To expose Engineers to the latest dev.in technology andTo expose Engineers to the latest dev.in technology andbring awareness to the technological changes and trend.bring awareness to the technological changes and trend.

To share the professional experience, upgradeTo share the professional experience, upgradeprofessional knowledge and practices amongst allprofessional knowledge and practices amongst allmembers.members.

To promote & advance the science and profession andTo promote & advance the science and profession andTo foster meaningful participation of its members inTo foster meaningful participation of its members innational as well as international activities andnational as well as international activities anddevelopment.development.


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The IEEE Codes of EthicsThe IEEE Codes of Ethics

The Code Stems from the IEEEThe Code Stems from the IEEEconstitutionconstitution

.the IEEE shall strive to enhance the.the IEEE shall strive to enhance thequality of life for all people throughout thequality of life for all people throughout theworld through the constructive applicationworld through the constructive applicationof technology in its field of competence.Itof technology in its field of competence.It

shall endeavor to promote understandingshall endeavor to promote understandingof the influence of such technology on theof the influence of such technology on thepublic welfare.public welfare.


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Global Engineering EthicsGlobal Engineering Ethics

The IEEE is increasingly aware of its role asThe IEEE is increasingly aware of its role as A.TransationalOrganizationA.TransationalOrganization::

The need to include its worlwide membership in the Ethics dialogues.The need to include its worlwide membership in the Ethics dialogues. The need to consider responsibilitty of the Society to a globally definedThe need to consider responsibilitty of the Society to a globally defined

public interest.public interest.

B.Global Ethics issues include a global consideration of:B.Global Ethics issues include a global consideration of: Dissemination/Interpretation, Enforcement and supportDissemination/Interpretation, Enforcement and support Buisness ethics in other contries(bribery commonplace in someBuisness ethics in other contries(bribery commonplace in some

countries)countries) Personal professional ethics in view of above.Personal professional ethics in view of above. Is a global Code of Ethics adopted by engineers practicable?Is a global Code of Ethics adopted by engineers practicable?

Could a commonly supported Code foster long term change?Could a commonly supported Code foster long term change? Eg.Offshore Buisness (Relocating offshore buisness)Eg.Offshore Buisness (Relocating offshore buisness)


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Appropriate TechnologyAppropriate Technology

Technologies that work well for us may beTechnologies that work well for us may bewrong for a developingwrong for a developingeconomy(e.g.promoting energy intensiveeconomy(e.g.promoting energy intensive

lifestyles in densely populated nationslifestyles in densely populated nationscould be highly detrimental)could be highly detrimental)

Should an Engineering Society encourageShould an Engineering Society encourage

its members to study and discuss theseits members to study and discuss theseissues?.Should it take a corporate stanceissues?.Should it take a corporate stanceon Energy and other technology issues?on Energy and other technology issues?


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Sustainable TechnolopgySustainable Technolopgy

Recognition of limits to fossil fuel energy.Recognition of limits to fossil fuel energy.

Understanding complexities of UnintendedUnderstanding complexities of Unintendedside Effects of usage.side Effects of usage.

Acid Rain and Ozone depletion: Can NewAcid Rain and Ozone depletion: Can NewTechnologies develop cleaner processTechnologies develop cleaner processwhile sustaining economic growth rates?while sustaining economic growth rates?

Should Engineers lobby for more fundingShould Engineers lobby for more fundingfor nonfor non--fossil energy development (Eg.fossil energy development (Eg.Fusion,Solar,Tidal,wave and others)?Fusion,Solar,Tidal,wave and others)?


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Weapons TechnologyWeapons Technology

Problems of unexploded land mines lurking in formerProblems of unexploded land mines lurking in formerwarwar--torn countriestorn countries vietnam,cambodia,Afghanistan etc.vietnam,cambodia,Afghanistan etc.

One casuality every 22 minutes.Are Smart Mines theOne casuality every 22 minutes.Are Smart Mines theanswer?answer?

Unsolved problems of nuclear wastes from dismantlingUnsolved problems of nuclear wastes from dismantlingonly a small percentage of nuclear weapons.only a small percentage of nuclear weapons. Security against nuclear terrorists.Security against nuclear terrorists. Should engineers, who ultimately drive weaponsShould engineers, who ultimately drive weapons

technologies, be discussing:technologies, be discussing:

The unintended side effects on innocents?The unintended side effects on innocents? The humanity of the intended side effects?The humanity of the intended side effects?Where do Engineers turn to participate in such discussion, oftenWhere do Engineers turn to participate in such discussion, often

relating directly to their technological specialities?relating directly to their technological specialities?What is our responsibility in these cases to The global public?What is our responsibility in these cases to The global public?


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A Role for Engineering SocietiesA Role for Engineering Societies Engineering Societies have a strong contributionEngineering Societies have a strong contribution

to make two fronts:to make two fronts: Local:Local:

Personal: In all countries, engineers should bePersonal: In all countries, engineers should bechallanged to follow the Code of Ethics.challanged to follow the Code of Ethics.

Corollary: Societies must not only enforce, but lendCorollary: Societies must not only enforce, but lendreal support.real support.

Global:Global: Engineering societies should encourage and lead aEngineering societies should encourage and lead a

dialogue on transnational ethics involving crossdialogue on transnational ethics involving crossfertilization with other professional descipline(i.efertilization with other professional descipline(i.eeconomics, politics, medicine,law,social sciences,economics, politics, medicine,law,social sciences,religion)religion)

WASSALAMWASSALAM

9.engineers and global issue

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