Lecture 8

Engineering Ethics

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Process Design and Simulation 2013

Intended learning outcomes

Students should be able to
reflect on significant issues pertaining to process design and engineering ethics identify ethical problems and weigh up possible responses make ethical judgements in the context of engineering

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Outline

1. Ethics and the engineering profession 2. Facing ethical dilemmas 3. Ethical reasoning

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What is a professional engineer?

RAE Statement of Ethical Principles http://www.raeng.org.uk/societygov/engineeringethics/principles.htm

UK Standard for Professional Engineering Competence http://www.engc.org.uk/professional-ethics.aspx

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Competence and Commitment Standard for Professional Engineers

Process Design and Simulation 2013

The engineering profession Context

Who benefits from engineering activity?
o employer, client, users, the public / society

Who or what could suffer as a result of engineering activity?

o employer, fellow employees, client, users, the public / society, the environment

To whom are engineers responsible?

o all of the above

Therefore
o Engineers need to understand their responsibilities o Engineers need to engage with ethical issues
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1. Ethics and the engineering profession

Professional engineers commit to behaving in a professionally and socially responsible manner and in accordance with ethical codes e.g. Royal Academy of Engineering (RAE) Statement of Ethical Principles:
o o o o Accuracy and rigour Honesty and integrity Respect for life, law and the public good Responsible leadership (listening and informing)

Lets examine these further

Various other Codes established (e.g. IChemE, ABET)

o See Appendix B (Ludwig) in course unit handbook.
RAE Statement of Ethical Principles http://www.raeng.org.uk/societygov/engineeringethics/principles.htm
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Accuracy and rigour

Professional Engineers have a duty to ensure that they acquire and use wisely and faithfully the knowledge that is relevant to the engineering skills needed in their work in the service of others. They should:
o always act with care and competence o perform services only in areas of current competence. o keep their knowledge and skills up to date and assist the development of engineering knowledge and skills in others. o not knowingly mislead or allow others to be misled about engineering matters. o present and review engineering evidence, theory and interpretation honestly, accurately and without bias. o identify and evaluate and, where possible, quantify risks.
RAE Statement of Ethical Principles http://www.raeng.org.uk/societygov/engineeringethics/principles.htm
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Accuracy, rigour, care and competence?

W Heath Robinson illustration of one of Professor Branestawm's inventions. From the book William Heath Robinson by James Hamilton
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Honesty and integrity

Professional Engineers should adopt the highest standards of professional conduct, openness, fairness and honesty. They should:
o be alert to the ways in which their work might affect others and duly respect the rights and reputations of other parties. o avoid deceptive acts, take steps to prevent corrupt practices or professional misconduct, and declare conflicts of interest. o reject bribery or improper influence. o act for each employer or client in a reliable and trustworthy manner.
RAE Statement of Ethical Principles http://www.raeng.org.uk/societygov/engineeringethics/principles.htm
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Respect Life, Law and the Public Good

Professional Engineers should give due weight to all relevant law, facts and published guidance, and the wider public interest. They should:
o ensure that all work is lawful and justified. o minimise and justify any adverse effect on society or on the natural environment for their own and succeeding generations. o take due account of the limited availability of natural and human resources. o hold paramount the health and safety of others. o act honourably, responsibly and lawfully and uphold the reputation, standing and dignity of the profession.
RAE Statement of Ethical Principles http://www.raeng.org.uk/societygov/engineeringethics/principles.htm
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Responsible Leadership: Listening and Informing

Professional Engineers should aspire to high standards of leadership in the exploitation and management of technology. They hold a privileged and trusted position in society, and are expected to demonstrate that they are seeking to serve wider society and to be sensitive to public concerns. They should:
o be aware of the issues that engineering and technology raise for society, and listen to the aspirations and concerns of others. o actively promote public awareness and understanding of the impact and benefits of engineering achievements. o be objective and truthful in any statement made in their professional capacity.
RAE Statement of Ethical Principles http://www.raeng.org.uk/societygov/engineeringethics/principles.htm
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2.

Facing ethical concerns

Can we identify ethical concerns?

o We need an awareness of ethical issues.

Can we analyse ethical concerns?

o We need to be able to understand issues and points of conflict, identify interested parties, understand potential consequences, identify obligations o We need to be able to suggest possible courses of action, and analyse these.

Can we respond effectively to ethical concerns?

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Process Design and Simulation 2013

Responding to ethical concerns

We need to be able to decide on the best course of action.
o There is no right answer, but not all answers are equally good. o There are no rules, frameworks, formulae to find the right answer. o We need to be able to deal with changing context (societys expectations, new technologies, etc.)

Therefore we need ethical reasoning skills to develop our response.

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3.

Ethical reasoning

Sometimes we need to arrive at a defensible position to do so, we need to:

Organise information and collect the facts Propose options (alternative courses of action) Create a case for and/or against each option by applying understanding of ethics Evolve options, or seek a compromise solution

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Creating a case for a selected response

1. Identify the ethical issues and dilemmas.
o Dilemma a situation in which a difficult choice has to be made between two or more alternatives, esp. equally undesirable ones.

2. Consider reasonable expectations of interested parties. 3. Propose alternative courses of action. 4. Understand potential consequences of each course of action.
o Probability and impact of consequences both important o Real and perceived consequences both count!

5. Analyse whether proposed course of action is aligned with the duties, responsibilities, obligations of the person acting. 6. Evolve the proposed response
o
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Find a compromise solution, with the least worst outcome.

http://poynter.indiana.edu/files/8713/4572/7960/mr.pdf
Process Design and Simulation 2013

Moral Reasoning in Scientific Research

Case study: Sara and the new material#

Sara is a process engineer working for EPCSmart company. The company has the opportunity to tender for work on the engineering and construction of a new process plant for Alchemy company, in which a novel material of construction, Sanit, will be used. Neither Sara, nor anyone else at EPCSmart has experience with Sanit. Sara is concerned that Sanit may introduce safety and/or environmental risks, e.g. if vessels failed and the chemical involved leaked out. Saras manager, Ali, suggests that EPCSmart submit a tender for the engineering and construction work (developed by Sara) without mentioning their lack of experience with Sanit. Ali recommends that, in the meantime, Sara takes the opportunity to learn what she can about Sanit. # Based on a case from: http://www.raeng.org.uk/societygov/ What should Sara do?
engineeringethics/principles.htm
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The issues what is the dilemma?

(Sometimes its useful to think first about interested parties, obligations, consequences, possible courses of action.)
EPCSmart has commercial interests: they wish to secure the engineering contract with Alchemy. Sara has career interests and is loyal to her employer. Sara believes that EPCSmart is planning to work beyond their areas of competence.

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Possible courses of action for Sara

1. Say nothing: Sara could do as instructed develop the tender without mentioning EPCSmarts lack of experience with Sanit. 2. Avoid: Sara could try to escape the role of preparing the tender (e.g. refuse, resign, ask to take holiday, take sick leave). 3. Alert: Sara could develop the tender but alert Alchemy to the lack of experience within EPCSmart. 4. Escalate: Sara could raise her concerns with Alis boss. 5.
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The interested parties Their interests, obligations and rights

Sara o Interests her job, career, conscience, reputation o Obligations to follow code(s) of ethics, to be loyal to employer and client o Interests commercial success, reputation, liability o Rights expect competence of engineers employed o Interests license to operate, reputation o Rights delivery of competent, careful work o Obligations health, safety, environment

EPCSmart

Alchemy

Wider society/ o Rights health, safety, environment, sustainability the public

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Consequences for each course of action and all parties

1. Say nothing:
o Anne would fail to meet her professional obligations, and would not necessarily do the best thing for her job/career o EPCSmart risks its reputation, a lawsuit, commercial success o Alchemy could have an incident, with associated costs, reputation and commercial damage o Society could suffer from health, safety and environmental damage

2. Avoid:
o Anne would fail to meet her professional obligations, and would probably damage her job/career. o Effects for EPCSmart, Alchemy and Society: same as Option 1.

3. Alert:
o Anne could damage her job/career. EPCSmart may not get the contract. Alchemy and Society could avoid a major incident.

4. Escalate:
o
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Anne may damage her job/career and that of Ali. EPCSmarts senior management could take responsibility and make an informed decision.
Process Design and Simulation 2013

A reasoned decision
Alert? Escalate?

Relevant issues have been considered

o Point of conflict has been identified

Alternative courses of action have been proposed Interested parties have been identified
o Their interests, rights and obligations (based on codes of ethics) have been recognised

Potential consequences of alternative consequences have been considered for all interested parties A defensible position is proposed
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Summary
Ethics is an important aspect of being a professional engineer. Key issues are:
o Accuracy and rigour o Honesty and integrity o Respect for life, law and the public good o Responsible leadership listening and informing

Acting in an ethical way is challenging. Codes of ethics are clear, but

o Recognising ethical issues is not always straightforward o Reaching ethical decisions is challenging no recipe! o A structured approach can help one develop a defensible decision
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