How can this conflict be resolved?
In clause I.4, the NSPE code indicates that engineers have a duty to their employers, which implies that the engineer should go ahead with the unsafe design favored by his employer. However, clause I.1 and the preamble make it clear that the safety of the public is also an important concern of an engineer. In fact, it says that the safety of the public is paramount. How can this confl ict be resolved?
There is no implication in this or any other code that all clauses are equally important. Rather, there is a hierarchy within the code. Some clauses take prece- dence over others, although there is generally no explicit indication in the code of what the hierarchy is. The preceding dilemma is easily resolved within the context of this hierarchy. The duty to protect the safety of the public is paramount and takes precedence over the duty to the employer. In this case, the code provides very clear support to the engineer, who must convince his supervisor that the product can’t be designed as requested. Unfortunately, not all internal confl icts in codes of ethics are so easily resolved.
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