Role of Ethics in Engineering

Engineers are the strong upholders of the nation. They deal in things that are as important as laying the foundation of a country. An Engineers work/art has a compelling impact on the society, let alone the people, leading them in doing an adept work with utmost commitment to self and to the society. The commitment and adeptness thus demands no carelessness as, many lives depend on their work. To get a clear picture, we can say that a bridge build with low quality raw material, might fall down, endangering thousands of people’s life. This is wherein the deeds of righteousness emerge, the ability to act with lot of diligence and care. Working on ethics is thus an integral part of these deeds and acts. In the words of great Albert Einstein, “I do not believe in immortality, and I consider ethics to be an exclusive human concern with no superhuman authority behind it.” Ethics are based on well-founded standards of right and wrong that prescribe what humans ought to do, usually in terms of rights, obligations, benefits to society, fairness, or specific virtues, where engineers are no less. ‘Engineering ethics’ in this way finds its way up to the ladder of moral consciousness/self-righteousness.

How do the guidelines of Engineering Ethics actually work? We can say that Engineering Ethics are the primary obligation of any engineer to protect the safety, health and the welfare of the people. In a professional scenario, we are placed in a huge threshold of either doing what’s safe for the people or blindly following the orders of the employer. This crossroad situation consequently gives rise to the discussion about 'Engineering Ethics'. According to Martin At El, ‘‘Engineering Ethics relates to the study of the moral issues and decisions confronting individuals and organizations involved in engineering”.  They are underlying in itself the questions about moral conduct, character, policies, relationships and corporations involved in technological activities.

Now, where does need of studying Engineering Ethics originate? Considering that we all are living in an age of highly advanced technology and in this mind boggling and physically tiring race of reaching the vertex of success, we take such decisions that may not only have unintended consequences but are also adversely affecting the society.

Another reason is that while performing our professional duties, there may arise such situations which may lead to conflicts between our Personal and Professional interests. For instance, one is working in a reputed construction company where the material that company uses is of poor quality that could not be used for constructing of dams, then one is in a state of dilemma of ‘what is to be done?’, if the material is overlooked, thousands of lives would be in danger and if voice is raised against it, one may lose his/her job. The example reflects the situation of many people who have conflicts arising between personal and professional interests, and thus answering our question about why do we need to study engineering ethics.

To have much clear perspectives on code of ethics of engineering many Professional societies such as AAES, ABET, NSPE, IEEE, and AICTE have framed certain codes which are extremely handy for them by administering guidelines to be taken care of while executing their professional responsibilities. Some of the Ethics which Engineers have to follow are listed below.

Engineers, in the fulfillment of their professional duties, shall:

1. Hold paramount the safety, health and welfare of the public.
2. Perform services only in areas of their competence.
3. Issue public statements only in an objective and truthful manner.
4. Act for each employer or client as faithful agents or trustees.
5. Avoid deceptive acts.
6. Conduct themselves honorably, responsibly, ethically, and lawfully so as to enhance the honor, reputation, and usefulness of the profession.

These are the code of ethics which are more or less universally followed.

You as an Engineer!

As an engineer you may also have to make many decisions when you have to be clear about what is right and what is wrong, and it is here that the code of Ethics will guide you, you can also design your own code of ethics and follow it to fulfill your Professional responsibilities.

Shared below are the guidelines which will help you in taking the right decisions:-

Test your decisions in the following manner:

• Is the decision good for all?
• Does it protect the health of the users or the public in general?
• Is it harming the environment?
• Is it energy efficient?
• Is it in the interest of the nation?
• Have you taken into consideration all the stakeholders as well as the people who are directly and indirectly affected by it?
• Is it able to justify prescribed standards and has efficiency?
• Is it affordable by a common man?

Actually, these codes make one feel really responsible and proud to be a professional, thus motivating towards the commitment one should have towards one’s profession. This self-made code of ethics will provide the necessary moral support and guidelines, which will inspire you to work with great commitment and more effectively serve the public. It can also win you greater powers of self-regulation for the profession itself, while lessening the demand for more government regulation.

 

About the Author

Dr. Asha Dave is Assistant Professor in Humanities at JDCOEM. She has a rich experience of about 20 years in the teaching arena. She believes in taking up teaching as a Passion and not Profession. She has completed her Post Graduation from Osmania University, Hyderabad, and her Doctorate from RTMNU.