Notes on Engineering Ethics and Professional Responsibility

A collection of flashcards focusing on key vocabulary and concepts related to engineering ethics and professional responsibility.

Autonomous Vehicles

Driverless cars that promise benefits such as fewer traffic accidents, mobility for the disabled, and improved traffic flow.

Tesla Accident (2016)

A fatal crash involving a Tesla operating on autopilot that failed to detect a turning truck, raising critical safety concerns.

Ethical Responsibility

The obligation of professionals to adhere to ethical standards and to consider the safety and well-being of the public.

Professional Identity

The way professionals define themselves, heavily influenced by their profession and its associated responsibilities.

Aspirational Ethics

Ethical considerations that go beyond basic legal requirements to improve human well-being actively.

Public Good

The obligation of engineers to prioritize safety, health, and the welfare of the public over their own interests or those of their employers.

Engineering Codes of Ethics

Guidelines that outline the ethical responsibilities of engineers, including prioritizing public safety and welfare.

Professionalism

The combination of expertise and moral responsibility that defines the behavior and standards expected of professionals.

Social Contract

The implicit agreement between professionals and society, where professionals promise to provide high levels of competence and ethical service.

Engineering Impact on Society

The significant influence that engineering decisions have on safety, health, infrastructure, and overall quality of life.

Well-Being

A condition that encompasses safety, health, meaningful relationships, and access to resources, influenced by engineering.

Professional Autonomy

The independence that professionals have to exercise their judgment without external pressures affecting safety or ethical standards.

Technology and Ethics

The relationship between technological advancements and the ethical considerations they raise, usually reflecting pre-existing moral challenges.

Critical Judgment

The ability of engineers to assess risks, benefits, and ethical implications related to their designs and decisions.

Social Media's Impact

The influence of social media on human interaction, including both benefits like connection and drawbacks such as reduced empathy.

Case Studies in Ethics

Real-world applications of ethical principles that help professionals recognize issues and develop decision-making skills.

Grok AI Incident

A case study highlighting ethical lapses in AI technology, particularly regarding the mishandling of sensitive user data and public safety.

Michael Davis's Moral Ideal

A definition of profession emphasizing the moral obligations professionals have to serve the public good beyond just legal requirements.

Public Trust

The confidence that the public places in professionals to act in their best interest, reinforced by ethical behavior and competence.

Regulation by Ethical Standards

The requirement for professionals to operate under codes of ethics that promote a commitment to the public good.

Engineering Identity Transformation

The significant shift in self-perception and responsibilities that occurs upon entering the engineering profession.