legal consequences

Engineering Ethics

The study of moral principles and values that guide the practice of engineering.

Professional Responsibility

The obligation of engineers to perform their duties with competence, integrity, and in the best interest of the public.

Code of Ethics

A set of principles and rules that govern the ethical conduct of engineers in their professional practice.

Moral Agency

The capacity of individuals to make moral judgments and decisions.

Public Health and Safety

The protection and promotion of the well-being and welfare of the general public.

Product Liability

Legal responsibility of engineers for injuries or damages caused by their products or solutions.

Intellectual Property

Legal rights that protect creations of the mind, such as inventions, designs, and processes.

Patent Infringement

Unauthorized use or replication of a patented invention or technology.

Copyright

Legal protection granted to original works of authorship, such as software, designs, or written materials.

Trademark

A distinctive sign or symbol that identifies and distinguishes the products or services of a particular company.

Professional Competence

The ability to perform engineering tasks with the necessary knowledge, skills, and expertise.

Continuing Professional Development (CPD)

Ongoing education and training to maintain and enhance professional competence.

Whistleblowing

Reporting unethical or illegal activities within an organization or profession.

Conflict of Interest

A situation where an individual's personal interests may influence their professional judgment or decision-making.

Confidentiality

The obligation to protect and keep private any sensitive or privileged information obtained in the course of professional practice.

Sustainability

The consideration of environmental, social, and economic factors in engineering solutions to ensure long-term viability.

Risk Assessment

The process of identifying and evaluating potential risks associated with engineering projects or solutions.

Safety Factor

A margin of safety designed into a structure or system to account for uncertainties and potential failures.

Negligence

Failure to exercise reasonable care or fulfill a duty, resulting in harm or damage to others.

Duty of Care

The legal obligation to act with reasonable care and competence in order to avoid harm to others.

Professional Liability Insurance

Insurance coverage that protects engineers against claims arising from their professional activities.

Expert Witness

An individual with specialized knowledge or expertise who provides testimony in legal proceedings.

Standard of Care

The level of skill, diligence, and care that a reasonably competent engineer would exercise in similar circumstances.

Contract

A legally binding agreement between two or more parties that establishes rights and obligations.

Breach of Contract

Failure to fulfill the terms and conditions of a contract without legal justification.

Regulatory Compliance

Adherence to laws, regulations, codes, and standards applicable to engineering practices and solutions.

Environmental Impact Assessment

Evaluation of the potential environmental effects of a proposed project or development.

Professional Engineering License

Legal authorization granted to qualified engineers to practice their profession.

Professional Misconduct

Violation of ethical or professional standards that may result in disciplinary action.

Due Diligence

The level of care, prudence, and thoroughness expected from an engineer in performing their professional duties.

Fraud

Intentional deception or misrepresentation of facts for personal gain or to cause harm to others.

Rehabilitation

The process of restoring professional standing and reputation after disciplinary action or misconduct.

Good Faith

Acting honestly, sincerely, and with integrity in professional dealings.

Peer Review

Evaluation of a professional's work by colleagues or experts in the same field.

Public Interest

The welfare and well-being of the general public as a whole.

Professional Societies

Organizations that represent and promote the interests of professionals in a specific field.

Conflict Resolution

The process of resolving disputes or disagreements between parties.

Honesty

Truthfulness and integrity in professional conduct, including accurate representation of qualifications and capabilities.

Impartiality

Being fair, unbiased, and free from conflicts of interest in professional decision-making.

Social Responsibility

The duty of engineers to consider and address the broader societal impacts of their work.

Informed Consent

The voluntary agreement of individuals based on adequate understanding of the risks and benefits involved.

Professional Judgment

The ability to make informed decisions based on professional knowledge, experience, and expertise.

Professional Development

Activities aimed at enhancing professional knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Peer Pressure

Influence exerted by colleagues or professional networks that may impact ethical decision-making.

Public Perception

How the general public perceives the engineering profession and its practitioners.

Liability

Legal responsibility or obligation for one's actions or omissions.

Engineering Manager

An engineer who oversees and coordinates engineering projects and teams.

Project Management

The planning, organizing, and controlling of resources and activities to achieve specific project objectives.

Compliance Audit

Examination and assessment of an organization's adherence to laws, regulations, and standards.

Engineering Education

Academic programs and training that prepare individuals for careers in engineering.

Ethical Dilemma

A situation in which an individual must choose between conflicting ethical principles or values.

Humanitarian Engineering

The application of engineering principles to improve the quality of life for disadvantaged communities.

Professional Conduct

Behaviors and actions that align with ethical and professional standards.

Engineering Failure

A situation in which an engineering solution does not meet its intended objectives or results in harm or damage.

Engineering Design

The process of creating solutions to meet specific needs or problems using scientific and technical knowledge.

Peer Ethics Review

Evaluation and assessment of an engineer's ethical conduct by fellow professionals.

International Standards

Consensus-based guidelines or specifications recognized and accepted globally.

Due Process

Fair treatment and protection of individual rights in legal or disciplinary proceedings.

Corporate Social Responsibility

The responsibility of companies and organizations to contribute to societal well-being and sustainability.

Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA)

A legal contract that protects confidential information from being shared or disclosed.

Technological Innovation

The development and implementation of new or improved technologies.

Social Justice

Fairness and equality in the distribution of resources, opportunities, and benefits within society.

Engineering Decision-making

The process of selecting the best course of action based on available information and considerations.

Data Privacy

Protection of personal or sensitive information from unauthorized access or disclosure.

Cybersecurity

Protection of computer systems and networks from unauthorized access, damage, or disruption.

Artificial Intelligence Ethics

Ethical considerations and principles applied to the development and use of AI technologies.

Sustainable Development

Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

Engineering Responsibility Matrix

A tool used to identify and allocate responsibilities for engineering tasks and decisions.

Public-Private Partnerships

Collaborations between public and private entities to achieve shared goals or deliver public services.

Design Review

Evaluation and assessment of an engineering design by experts or stakeholders.

Professional Integrity

Adherence to ethical principles and moral values in professional conduct.

Engineering Regulation

Laws, regulations, and policies that govern the practice of engineering.

Open Source Software

Software that is freely available and can be modified and distributed by anyone.

Safety Engineering

The application of engineering principles to ensure the safety of products, systems, or processes.

Professional Accountability

Taking responsibility for one's actions and decisions in professional practice.