CIVL 2401 Professional Practice & Ethics Lecture #5: Resolving Ethical Problems

Flashcards about Professional Practice & Ethics, Lecture #5: Resolving Ethical Problems

According to NSPE's code of ethics, what should engineers avoid?

Engineers shall avoid deceptive acts

According to ABET's code of ethics, how should engineers issue public statements?

Engineers shall issue public statements in an objective and truthful manner

What should engineers hold paramount in their professional duties?

Hold paramount the safety, health and welfare of the public.

How should engineers act in professional matters for each employer or client?

Act as faithful agents or trustees for each employer or client.

In Steven's case, what was his concern about including the ambiguous data?

Omitting the doubtful reference might prolong his graduate studies.

What is a key ethical consideration in Steven's case regarding omitting data?

Whether Steven would be objective if he omits the doubtful reference.

What is a fundamental ethical question in Steven's situation?

Whether it is right to omit important information from the report.

Can omitting data be deceptive without intending to deceive?

Omission of data can be deceptive even when there is no intention to deceive.

In the case of the young engineer Brad, what is his main concern regarding his designs?

Brad's designs are not adequately checked by experienced engineers

In Brad's case, what conflict does his situation illustrate?

His obligation to the public seems to conflict with the obligation to the employer.

What are some options available for Brad to handle this conflict between obligation to an employer and the public?

Continue his work as if nothing is wrong; Tell the supervisor more tactfully that he is un-comfortable about his designs are not adequately checked

For engineering problems, is there usually a single right solution?

There is rarely a uniquely correct solution or response

What can cause people to disagree on the application of definitions in particular situations?

Operating from different factual premises; Disagreeing on about the relevance or importance of certain laws, policies, or ethical principles or rules

What are some methods that can resolve disagreements about the application of ethical principles?

Line-drawing, Flow chart, Creative middle way

What technique involves placing hypothetical situations along a line to determine moral acceptability?

Line drawing

In line drawing, what is an example of something that is unambiguously morally acceptable called?

Positive Paradigm

In line drawing, what is an example of something that is unambiguously not morally acceptable called?

Negative Paradigm

What can lead to false conclusions in line drawing?

Dishonest placement of the examples along the line

In the Khamis case, what ethical issue could arise from accepting the football game invitation?

It could cause a conflict of interest for Khamis

In the Khamis' case, why could accepting the football game invitation cause a conflict of interest?

Because his company is buying from Ali’s company that is supplying him with this opportunity

What are the three main categories used in the table for the line drawing method for Khamis' case?

Paradigm (Bribery), Test Case, Paradigm (Not Bribery)

What the characteristics of paradigm for the 'not bribery' choice?

Small gift size, after the decision being made, educational and for the company, best quality product, lowest cost possible.

What is the purpose of bribery?

Bribery offers incentives to persuade someone to violate his/her responsibilities.

In Victor's case, what is the central ethical question?

Whether Hamed is been bribed?

Which tool gives a visual picture of the situation and allow you to see the consequences that flow from each decision ?

Flow charts

What is an advantage of flow charting?

Gives a visual picture of a situation

What is the key to effective use of flow charting?

The key to effective use to be creative in determining possible outcomes & scenarios not to be shy about getting a negative answer & deciding to stop the project

What is the first step shown the Resolving Conflicts Diagram?

Conflict obligations from factual, conceptual, application, moral issue

Definition of Creative Middle Way

Looking for a way to resolve conflicting values that comes as close as possible to satisfying all relevant and legitimate obligations and hence, reducing as many damages as possible

What strategy sometimes offers a middle way solution to bribery?

The donation strategy