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Understanding Ethics in Engineering

This document defines ethics and discusses its relationship to morals and laws. It states that ethics is the systematic analysis of behavioral choices and involves determining what is considered right or wrong. It explains that ethics provides a framework for rational decision making to avoid moral absolutism or relativism. The document also outlines how professional ethics codes are developed through both external influences like laws and internal influences like an individual's values. It provides examples of engineering ethics codes and their role in establishing rules of conduct for engineers.

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thomas
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7 views13 pages

Understanding Ethics in Engineering

This document defines ethics and discusses its relationship to morals and laws. It states that ethics is the systematic analysis of behavioral choices and involves determining what is considered right or wrong. It explains that ethics provides a framework for rational decision making to avoid moral absolutism or relativism. The document also outlines how professional ethics codes are developed through both external influences like laws and internal influences like an individual's values. It provides examples of engineering ethics codes and their role in establishing rules of conduct for engineers.

Uploaded by

thomas
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

WHAT ARE ETHICS?

LESSON 3
31 January 2013

What Are Ethics?

Ethics is a branch of philosophy

Ethics is the systematic analysis of


behavioural choices that individuals or
societies face.

Ethics is the study of right or wrong,


obligations and rights, justice and social
and political ideals.

Need for Ethics

Humans face choices in daily life

Choices provide alternative courses of


actions that lead to different
consequences.

Ethics are a way to rationally reason our


choices.

Need for Ethical Reasoning?

It is a guide for rational


decisions

Avoids Moral Absolutism:


morals are absolute,
unchangeable and always
true. They NEVER change
according to circumstances.
Avoids Moral Relativism:
Morals are relative to
individuals and so
completely subjective.
Therefore no one guideline is
adequate for everyone.

Scylla of
Absolutism

Charybdis of
Relativism

Values are the basis of


Ethics

What are Values?

Values are beliefs that define individuals

They are the basis of worldviews and guide


behaviour

They govern the choices we make

Engineering Ethics

It is the analysis of decisions, choices and


policies that are morally desirable in
engineering practice and research
Purpose:

Moral Awareness: awareness of value conflicts


that underlie choices.
Moral Autonomy: Ability to think critically and
independently about moral issues.
Moral Imagination: Ability to discern alternative
solutions to moral dilemmas.
Moral Communication: ability to communicate
ethical issues in a precise and reasonable manner.

Ethics vs Morals

Ethics
Ethics is systematic
analysis of human
behaviour.
Frameworks are not
specific to cultural or
geographic context.
Ethics are impersonal
Ethics require rational
examination.

Morals

Morals are customary norms of


behaviour

Vary with time and geography.

Morals are personal

Morals transmitted through


socialization.

Ethics is NOT Personal


Opinion!

Ethics is an understanding of the


philosophical basis for making moral choices.

Ethics is an objective system of making


choices

Objectivity of ethical analysis is qualified by


circumstances.
Ex: Do you pardon someone if they kill? If it
is in self-defence?

Morals ARE Personal


Opinion!

It is a classification of right or wrong acts.

Based on cultural, religious or customary


mores.

Can differ from place, community, region


& country.

Ex: Not looking at another persons face is


considered respectful in some places or

Law

Laws and Regulations are established by


competent authorities in a society

Laws govern what is allowed, required or


forbidden

Laws are often based on customs, and


morals.

How is Professional Morality created?


External Influences
La
w

Internal Influences
Ethic
s

Governan
ce by an
Outside
Authority

Morals

SelfGovernan
ce
Engineerin
g Ethics

Engineeri
ng Ethics

Code of
Ethics

Value
s

Code of Ethics

External
Governan
ce

Code
of
Ethic
s

SelfGovernan
ce

OIQs Code of Ethics for


Engineers

National Assembly required engineers to


adopt a code that would establish rules
of conduct for professional practice.
The Code of Ethics is a mandatory
regulation for engineers.
Engineers duties and obligations
towards

Public
Clients (including employees)
Profession

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