Science and Engineering Ethics

, Volume 3, Issue 3, pp 327–337 | Cite as

Professional responsibility: The role of the engineer in society

  • Steven P. Nichols
Article
Received:
Revised:
Accepted:

Abstract

We argue that the practice of engineering does not exist outside the domain of societal interests. That is, the practice of engineering has an inherent (and unavoidable) impact on society. Engineering is based upon that relationship with society (inter alia).

An engineer’s conduct (as captured in professional codes of conduct) toward other engineers, toward employers, toward clients, and toward the public is an essential part of the life of a professional engineer, yet the education process and professional societies pay inadequate attention to the area. If one adopts Skooglund’s definition of professional ethicsI (how we agree to relate to one another), then the codes of professional conduct lay out a road map for professional relationships. As professionals, engineers need to internalize their codes and to realize that they have a personal stake in the application of codes as well as the process of developing the codes. Yet, most engineers view professional codes as static statements developed by “others” with little (or no) input from the individual engineer. Complicating the problem, questions of professionalism (such as ethics) are frequently viewed as topics outside the normal realm of engineering analysis and design. In reality, professional responsibility is an integral part of the engineering process.

Keywords

professional responsibility engineering ethics engineering responsibility 
This is a preview of subscription content, log in to check access.

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  1. 2.
    Koen, B.V. (1994) Toward a Strategy for Teaching Engineering Design. Journal of Engineering Education 83: 193.Google Scholar
  2. 3.
    Koen, B.V. (1985) Definition of the Engineering Method. American Society of Engineering Education, Washington, D. C.Google Scholar
  3. 4.
    Walton, J.W. (1991) Engineering Design: From Art to Practice. West Publishing Company, St. Paul, MN., USA.Google Scholar
  4. 5.
    Ferguson, E.S. (1993) How Engineers Loose Touch. Invention & Technology, Winter: 16–24.Google Scholar
  5. 6.
    Petroski, H., (1994) Failed Promises. American Scientist 82: 6–9.Google Scholar
  6. 7.
    Rabins, M. & Harris, E. (1994) Controls, Risk, & Educational Responsibility: The Ethical/Professional Links. Proceedings of IFAC Syymposium, Advances in Control Education Tokyo, Japan, August 1.Google Scholar
  7. 8.
    Harris, E., Pritchard, M. & Rabins, M. (1995) Engineering Ethics Concepts and Cases. Wadsworth Publishing Company, Belmont, CA., USA.Google Scholar
  8. 9.
    Martin, M. and Schinzinger, R. (1988) Engineering Ethics, 2nd Ed. McGraw-Hill, New York.Google Scholar
  9. 10.
    Davis, M. (1995) An Historical Preface to Engineering Ethics, Science and Engineering Ethics 1: 33–48.Google Scholar
  10. 11.
    Spier, R. (1995) Science, Engineering and Ethics: Running Definitions. Science and Engineering Ethics 1: 7.Google Scholar
  11. 12.
    Waldron, K.J. (1992) Secret Confessions of a Designer. Mechanical Engineering, Nov: 60–62.Google Scholar
  12. 13.
    National Research Council (1991) Improving Engineering Design: Designing for Competitive Advantage. National Academy Press, Washington, D.C., USA.Google Scholar
  13. 14.
    American Society of Mechanical Engineering (1993) Innovations in Engineering Education: Resource Guide, ASME.Google Scholar
  14. 15.
    Chaplin, C. (1989) Creativity in Engineering Design—The Educational Function; The Education and Training of Charted Engineers for the 21st Century. A Study Undertaken for the Fellowship of Engineering. 2 Little Smith Street, Westminster, London, November.Google Scholar
  15. 16.
    Efatpenah, K., Nichols, S. & Weldon, W. (1994) Design in the Engineering Curricula: A Changing Environment. Advances in Capstone Education: Fostering Industrial Partnerships, August 3–5.Google Scholar
  16. 17.
    Nichols, S. (1993) The Mechanical Engineering Design Projects Program: An Experience in Industrial/University Cooperation. Innovations in Engineering Design Education: Resource Guide, ASME.Google Scholar
  17. 18.
    Pugh, S. (1991) Total Design, Integrated Methods for Successful Product Engineering. Addison Wesley Publishing Company, Reading, MA.Google Scholar
  18. 19.
    Springer, S.P. (1983) Left Brain, Right Brain. W. II. Freeman, San Franciso (1987), CA., New York (1986, 1989, 1993), N.Y.Google Scholar
  19. 20.
    Pahl, G. & Beitz, W. (1988) Engineering Design: A Systematic Approach, (Edited by Wallace, K.), The Design Council, London, Springer-Verlag, London, Paris, Tokyo.Google Scholar
  20. 21.
    Dixon, J.R. (1966) Design Engineering: Inventiveness, Analysis and Decision Making. McGraw-Hill, New York, N.Y.Google Scholar
  21. 22.
    Penny, R.K. (1970) Principles of Engineering Design. Postgraduate 46: 344–349.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  22. 23.
    National Research Council (1991) Improving Engineering Design: Designing for Competitive Advantage. National Academy Press, Washington, D. C.Google Scholar
  23. 24.
    Criteria for Accrediting Programs in Engineering in the United States, Section IV.C.2. Effective for Evaluation During the 1995–96 Accreditation Cycle, Engineering Accreditation Commission, Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology, Inc. 111 Market Place, Suite 1050, Baltimore, Maryland 21202.Google Scholar
  24. 25.
    Johnson, D.G. (1993) Teaching Ethics in Science and Engineering. Science and Engineering Ethics 1: 83–87.Google Scholar
  25. 26.
    Grinter, L.E. (ed.) (1952) Report on Evaluation of Engineering Education. Journal of Engineering Education 46: 25–60.Google Scholar
  26. 27.
    Weil, Vivian (1992) Engineering Ethics in the Classroom, Engineering Ethics in Engineering Education, Center for the Study of Ethics in the Professions, Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago, Illinois, 1992. Proceedings of an NSF sponsored workshop in professional ethics.Google Scholar
  27. 28.
    Whitbeck, C. (1995) Teaching Ethics to Scientists and Engineers: Moral Agents and Moral Problems. Science and Engineering Ethics 1: 299–308.Google Scholar
  28. 29.
    Prasad, B. (1995) Concurrent Engineering Fundamentals. Prentice Hall PTR, Upper Saddle River, N.J.Google Scholar
  29. 30.
    Jones, J.V. (1988) Engineering Design: Reliability, Maintainability and Testability. TAB Professional and Reference Books, Blue Ridge Summit, PA.Google Scholar
  30. 31.
    Criteria for Accrediting Programs in Engineering in the United States, Criteria iv.C.3.d.(3)(c). Effective for Evaluation During the 1995–96 Accreditation Cycle, Engineering Accreditation Commission, Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology, Inc. 111 Market Place, Suite 1050, Baltimore, Maryland 21202.Google Scholar
  31. 32.
    Vandenburg, W.H., and Khan, N. (1994) How Well is Engineering Education Incorporating Societal Issues. Journal of Engineering Education 83: 357–61.Google Scholar
  32. 33.
    Skooglund, C., El Paso Faculty Workshop On Ethics & Professionalism, Texas State Board of Registration for Professional Engineers and the Murdough Center for Engineering Professionalism, April 15–16, 1993. This is one in a series of workshops developed by Professor Jimmy Smith to provide focus and experience to faculty members in the integration of the discussion of ethics into the engineering curriculum.Google Scholar
  33. 34.
    Broome, T.H. & Pierce, J. (1997) The Heroic Engineer. Journal of Engineering Education 86: No. 1, 51.Google Scholar
  34. 35.
    American Society for Engineering Education. Engineering Education for a Changing World. A Joint Project the Engineering Deans Council, and Corporate Roundtable of the American Society for Engineering Education, 1994.Google Scholar
  35. 36.
    Student Code of Ethics. Civil Engineering Department, University of New Mexico. Revision 041393, 1993.Google Scholar

Copyright information

© Opragen Publications 1997

Authors and Affiliations

  • Steven P. Nichols
    • 1
  1. 1.Centre for Electromechanics, ETC 5,160University of Texas at AustinAustinUSA

Personalised recommendations