Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Fleddermann, Charles B. (Charles Byrns), 1956– Engineering ethics / Charles B. Fleddermann. — 4th ed. p. cm. Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN-13: 978-0-13-214521-3 (alk. paper) ISBN-10: 0-13-214521-9 (alk. paper) 1. Engineering ethics. I. Title. TA157.F525 2012 174′.962—dc23 2011023371
ISBN 10: 0-13-214521-9 ISBN 13: 978-0-13-214521-3
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
iii
Contents
ABOUT THIS BOOK vii
1 Introduction 1
1.1 Background Ideas 2 1.2 Why Study Engineering Ethics? 2 1.3 Engineering Is Managing the Unknown 3 1.4 Personal vs. Professional Ethics 4 1.5 The Origins of Ethical Thought 4 1.6 Ethics and the Law 4 1.7 Ethics Problems Are Like Design Problems 5 1.8 Case Studies 6
Summary 15 References 15 Problems 16
2 Professionalism and Codes of Ethics 18
2.1 Introduction 19 2.2 Is Engineering a Profession? 19 2.3 Codes of Ethics 24 Key Terms 33 References 34 Problems 34
3 Understanding Ethical Problems 37
3.1 Introduction 38 3.2 A Brief History of Ethical Thought 38 3.3 Ethical Theories 39 3.4 Non-Western Ethical Thinking 46 Key Terms 53 References 53 Problems 53
iv Contents
4 Ethical Problem-Solving Techniques 56
4.1 Introduction 57 4.2 Analysis of Issues in Ethical Problems 57 4.3 Line Drawing 59 4.4 Flow Charting 62 4.5 Confl ict Problems 63 4.6 An Application of Problem-Solving Methods: Bribery/Acceptance of Gifts 65 Key Terms 71 References 71 Problems 72
5 Risk, Safety, and Accidents 74
5.1 Introduction 75 5.2 Safety and Risk 75 5.3 Accidents 79 Key Terms 98 References 98 Problems 99
6 The Rights and Responsibilities of Engineers 103
6.1 Introduction 104 6.2 Professional Responsibilities 104 6.3 Professional Rights 106 6.4 Whistle-Blowing 108 Key Terms 120 References 120 Problems 121
7 Ethical Issues in Engineering Practice 124
7.1 Introduction 125 7.2 Environmental Ethics 125 7.3 Computer Ethics 127 7.4 Ethics and Research 135 Key Terms 143 References 143 Problems 144
8 Doing the Right Thing 150
References 155 Problems 155
Contents v
APPENDIX A Codes of Ethics of Professional Engineering Societies 157
The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc. (IEEE) 157 National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE) 158 American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) 163 American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) 164 American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AICHE) 168 Japan Society of Civil Engineers 169
APPENDIX B Bibliography 172
General Books on Engineering Ethics 172 Journals with Articles on Engineering Ethics and Cases 173 Websites 173
Index 174
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About This Book
Engineering Ethics is an introductory textbook that explores many of the ethical issues that a practicing engineer might encounter in the course of his or her profes- sional engineering practice. The book contains a discussion of ethical theories, develops several ethical problem-solving methods, and contains case studies based on real events that illustrate the problems faced by engineers. The case studies also show the effects that engineering decisions have on society.
WHAT’S NEW IN THIS EDITION
• A new section showing how ethical issues are viewed in non-Western societies including China, India, and the Middle East.
• Codes of Ethics from a professional engineering society outside the United States has been added.
• The issues brought up by competitive bidding by engineers are discussed. • Case studies have been updated. • Several new case studies including ones on the I-35W bridge collapse in
Minneapolis, issues related to the recall of Toyota passenger cars, and the earth- quake damage in Haiti have been added.
• Many new and updated problems have been added.
vii
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1 On August 10, 1978, a Ford Pinto was hit from behind on a highway in Indiana. The impact of the collision caused the Pinto’s fuel tank to rupture and burst into fl ames, leading to the deaths of three teenage girls riding in the car. This was not the fi rst time that a Pinto had caught on fi re as a result of a rear-end collision. In the seven years following the introduction of the Pinto, there had been some 50 lawsuits related to rear-end collisions. However, this time Ford was charged in a criminal court for the deaths of the passengers.
This case was a signifi cant departure from the norm and had important implica- tions for the Ford engineers and managers. A civil lawsuit could only result in Ford being required to pay damages to the victim’s estates. A criminal proceeding, on the other hand, would indicate that Ford was grossly negligent in the deaths of the passengers and could result in jail terms for the Ford engineers or managers who worked on the Pinto.
The case against Ford hinged on charges that it was known that the gas-tank design was fl awed and was not in line with accepted engineering standards, even though it did meet applicable federal safety standards at the time. During the trial, it was determined that Ford engineers were aware of the dangers of this design, but management, concerned with getting the Pinto to market rapidly at a price competi- tive with subcompact cars already introduced or planned by other manufacturers, had constrained the engineers to use this design.
After reading this chapter, you will be able to • Know why it is important to
study engineering ethics • Understand the distinction
between professional and personal ethics
• See how ethical problem solving and engineering design are similar.
Objectives
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