Ethical Dilemma in Engineering

 

Professional Ethics in Engineering: Navigating Ethical Dilemmas

Introduction

Engineering is a profession that involves using scientific knowledge and technical skills to design, develop, and maintain a wide range of systems and structures. As engineers work on projects that have significant impacts on society, it is essential that they adhere to ethical principles and guidelines to ensure that their work is beneficial and does not cause harm.

However, engineers often face ethical dilemmas, which are situations where they must make decisions between two or more courses of action, each of which has moral implications. This article will explore the importance of professional ethics in engineering and provide examples of ethical dilemmas that engineers may face.

The Importance of Professional Ethics in Engineering

Professional ethics are the moral principles that guide the behavior of individuals in a particular profession. In engineering, professional ethics are essential to ensure that engineers maintain high standards of integrity, responsibility, and accountability. Adhering to professional ethics helps engineers to avoid harm to society and to maintain public trust.

In addition, professional ethics provide a framework for engineers to make decisions that align with their values and the expectations of their clients, employers, and society at large. Engineers who uphold professional ethics are more likely to be respected, trusted, and successful in their careers.

Ethical Frameworks in Engineering

There are several ethical frameworks that can guide engineers in making ethical decisions. One of the most widely used frameworks is the "four principles" approach, which includes the principles of autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, and justice. Other frameworks include utilitarianism, deontology, virtue ethics, and care ethics.

Applying Ethical Frameworks to Engineering Dilemmas

To illustrate how ethical frameworks can be applied to real-world engineering dilemmas, we will explore two examples:

Case Study 1: Medical Device Flaw

Suppose a software engineer discovers a flaw in the code of a system that controls a medical device. The engineer knows that if the flaw is not addressed, the device could malfunction and harm patients. However, the engineer also knows that the company is under pressure to release the product quickly and may not want to delay the launch to fix the issue.

Using the four principles approach, the engineer could consider the following:

Autonomy: The engineer has a responsibility to respect the autonomy of patients and ensure that the medical device works as intended.

Beneficence: The engineer has a duty to do good and prevent harm to patients.

Non-maleficence: The engineer must avoid causing harm to patients.

Justice: The engineer must ensure that the medical device is available to patients who need it and that the company is not unfairly disadvantaged by delaying the launch.

The engineer could raise the issue with their manager and suggest that the release be delayed to address the flaw. They could also report the issue to the appropriate regulatory authorities to ensure that patient safety is not compromised. However, doing so may put their job and career at risk.

Case Study 2: Building Safety Standards

Suppose a civil engineer is asked to design a building that does not meet safety standards. The engineer knows that if they comply with the request, the building could collapse in the event of an earthquake or other natural disaster. However, if they refuse, they may lose their job and the project may be handed over to another engineer who may not share their concerns for safety.

Using the four principles approach, the engineer could consider the following:

Autonomy: The engineer has a responsibility to respect the autonomy of the occupants of the building and ensure that they are safe.

Beneficence: The engineer has a duty to do good and prevent harm to the occupants of the building.

Non-maleficence: The engineer must avoid causing harm.