ENGR 107: Engineering Ethics, Values, and Professional Practice

Vocabulary flashcards covering core definitions, frameworks, and professional societies from ENGR 107 Chapter 14 on engineering ethics, values, and leadership.

Values

Personal beliefs about what matters (such as honesty, safety, or fairness) that are formed over a lifetime.

Morals

The standards of right and wrong that derive directly from an individual's personal values.

Ethics

What an individual actually does when values are tested; the outward behavior or action taken—or not taken.

Engineering Ethics

The application of moral principles to engineering practice, operating as a subfield of applied ethics focused on real project decisions.

NSPE

National Society of Professional Engineers; the professional organization providing an ethical code applicable to all engineers across disciplines.

IEEE

Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers; the professional society providing codes of ethics for electrical and computer engineers.

ASCE

American Society of Civil Engineers; the professional organization establishing ethical codes for civil engineers.

ASME

American Society of Mechanical Engineers; the professional organization establishing ethical codes for mechanical engineers.

AIChE

American Institute of Chemical Engineers; the professional organization establishing ethical codes for chemical engineers.

Utilitarianism

An ethical framework centered on the question 'Who does this affect, and how?', holding that the right choice is the one that produces the most good for the most people by weighing outcomes.

Deontology

An ethical framework centered on the question 'Is this the right thing to do, period?', holding that certain actions are inherently right or wrong and focusing on duty rather than consequences.

NSPE Code of Ethics: Five Canons

1. Hold paramount the safety, health, and welfare of the public; 2. Perform services only in areas of competence; 3. Issue public statements only in an objective and truthful manner; 4. Act as faithful agents and trustees; 5. Avoid deceptive acts and reject bribery.

Giving Voice to Values (GVV)

An action-oriented ethical approach developed by Mary Gentile in 2010 that shifts the question from 'what should I do?' to 'I know what's right. How do I actually do it?'

Four Steps of Giving Voice to Values (GVV)

1. Name your values (know them before the moment arrives); 2. Anticipate pushback (write objections down in advance); 3. Script your response (practice saying it out loud); 4. Find your allies (recognize you are rarely alone in seeing the issue).

Exemplary Follower (Kelley)

A follower model characterized by high critical thinking and high active engagement.

Courageous Follower (Chaleff)

A follower model that both supports and actively challenges leadership by speaking truth to power.

Servant Leadership

A leadership approach that fundamentally requires followers who act with integrity.