Chap 1 Ethics & Professionalism

Professional Practice
Teacher details
Lecturer name : Mohamed Salah
Room No. : B111
Email :
Mohamed.Mohamed@UTAS.edu.om
Professional
Practice
Course Code ENGR3105
Semester FL23 - AY 2023-2024
Pre - Requisite ENCH2101
Co – Requisite Nil
Type of Course Mandatory
Language of Instruction English
Credit Hours 1 (1 Lecture/0 Tutorial)
Course Assessment
Assignments 10%
Project (Case-Study/ PD course) 10%
Quiz 10%
Midterm Exams 30%
Final Exam 40%
Textbook:
Mike W. Marlin, Roland Schinzinger, Ethics in Engineering, 4th edition,
McGraw-Hill Book Company, New York, 2005.

Course Contents
Chap
W Date . Subjects Tests
1 17/9/2023 1 o Introduction to Ethics & Professionalism

4 8/10/2023 1 Quiz1
o Introduction to Ethics & Professionalism
6 22/10/2023 2 Moral Reasoning and Codes of Ethics
Moral Reasoning and Codes of Ethics Test 15
7 29/10/2023 2 marks
8 5/11/2023 2 Moral Reasoning and Codes of Ethics
9 12/11/2023 3 Engineering as Social Experimentation
10 19/11/2023 3 Engineering as Social Experimentation Quiz2
Commitment to safety Test 15
11 26/11/2023 4 marks
12 3/12/2023 4 Commitment to safety
13 10/12/2023 5 Workplace Responsibilities & Rights
14 17/12/2023 5 Workplace Responsibilities & Rights
The top 10 skills engineers should
have:
1. Negotiation Skills
2. Problem Solving Skills
3. Communication Skills
4. Commercial Awareness
5. Presentation Skills
6. Computer Skills
7. Analytical Skills
8. Management Skills
9. Adaptability and Flexibility
10. Time Management Skills
Mini project requirement:
The following courses are @ Free of COST (No Registration Fee for students, you need
to register as student then take the course).
https://www.aiche.org/academy/courses/ela981/sacher-certificate-program-hum
an-factors
https://www.aiche.org/academy/courses/ela990/sacher-certificate-program-facili
ty-siting
https://www.aiche.org/academy/courses/ela252/aiches-improving-personal-prof
essional-creativity
https://www.aiche.org/academy/courses/ela254/aiches-engineering-leadership-
Other recourses
development
https://osha.oregon.gov/edu/courses/pages/default.aspx
https://www.open.edu/openlearn/science-maths-technology/engineering-te
chnology/assessing-risk-engineering-work-and-life/content-section-0?activ
e-tab=description-tab
Introduction:#‘Professional ethics and Human
values’ is a very relevant subject of today’s
environment of conflicts and stress in the profession,
with obligations to be met by one person in many
directions.
# A formal study will certainly improve one’s
ability and judgment and refine one’s behavior,
decisions, and actions in performing the duty to the
family, organization, and to the society.
Objectives
o Exposes the student to the general issue of ethics and morality
o Emphasizes their responsibility to their organization and to the society
o Analysis and understanding of relevance of professional ethical codes
of engineering professional institutions
o Learning the implications and meanings of professional independence
o Using the independence to guide others in an organization or alert the
public when necessary
o Develop communication skills in oral or written forms through
description of the concepts and cases described in the course.
Lecture Slide Dr. Baskaran.K

Objectives
The “prime objective” is to increase one’s ability to deal effectively with moral
complexity in engineering practice.
(A) Improvement of the cognitive skills (skills of the intellect in thinking

clearly)
1. Moral awareness (proficiency in recognizing moral problems in engineering)
2. Cogent moral reasoning (comprehending, assessing different views)
3. Moral coherence (forming consistent viewpoints based on facts)
4. Moral imagination (searching beyond obvious the alternative responses to issues
and being receptive to creative solutions)
5. Moral communication, to express and support one’s views to others.
(B) To act in morally desirable ways, towards moral
commitment and responsible conduct
6. Moral reasonableness i.e., willing and able to be morally responsible.
7. Respect for persons, which means showing concern for the well-being of others,
besides oneself.
8. Tolerance of diversity i.e., respect for ethnic and religious differences, and
acceptance of reasonable differences in moral perspectives.
9. Moral hope i.e., believe in using rational dialogue for resolving moral conflicts.
10. Integrity, which means moral integrity, and integrating one’s professional life and
personal convictions.

Overview – Chapter 1(Ethics &
Professionalism)
Why Ethics are important?
Ethical examples from HISTORY?
Introduction – Ethics
Moral Values
Personal vs Professional Ethics
Engineering Ethics
Why study Engineering Ethics?
Scope of Engineering Ethics
Accepting & Sharing Responsibility
Responsible Professionals & Ethical Corporations

Why “Ethics” are important?
If a society has no interest in ethical
behavior, people will not feel obliged to
care about their fellow human beings

Ethical examples from HISTORY?
Examples of famous people who did good work

include;
Abraham Lincoln stands against slavery.
Omar Al-Mukhtar led native resistance to
Italian colonization of Libya
Mahatma Gandhi espoused non-violence and
called for the kind treatment of all living things.

Ethics
System of moral principles

Principles of right & wrong; good & bad
Principles of conduct governing behavior of an individual or a
group
Generally, refers to “codes of conduct”

Ethics
o Refers to morals, values, and beliefs of the individuals, family or the society
The study on ethics helps to know
the people’s beliefs, values, and morals
learn the good and bad of them, and
practice them to maximize their well-being and happiness.
o It involves the inquiry on the existing situations, form judgments and
resolve the issues.
o In addition, ethics tells us how to live, to respond to issues, through the
duties, rights, responsibilities, and obligations.
‘Values’ are more personal than
Generally speaking, our morals.
Morals are somewhat shared,
‘morality’ is what drives based upon your culture, but
our decision about your individual values (loyalty,
what is "good" and honesty) may not be shared with
others.
what is "bad." You could, for instance, value
your rationality, but somebody
Eg: it is morally wrong else may believe that their
to kill another human emotional side is more important
being, or steal than their logical side.
something that doesn't
belong to you.
Values
Moral
Money
Fame
Popularity
Non-Moral
Moral Values Values
Moral Values
A ‘moral value’ is a universally accepted ethical principle that
governs the day to day living of life. These principles are
important in maintaining unity, harmony and honor between
people. Moral values are usually communal and shared by the
public in general, thus if there is no agreement among
community members no moral values will be established.
Moral values define the principles and standards which determine the
extent to which human action or conduct is right or wrong.
Some examples of moral values are patience, generosity, kindness, and
compassion.

Ethics
To understand ‘Ethics’, let us consider an example involves a fastening
attachment done in 2010
“If an outside inspector said a certain fastening attachment isn’t at the level
of quality required;
Who’s responsible for fixing this?
Should the one who did it in 2010 be? even though the standards might
have been different?
If you put something in that; no longer is up to code, is your company
obligated to say something if that outside inspector was never involved
and no one brought it up?
What may be OK in 2010 may not be fine in 2023 because technology,
policies, and design methods can all change.”
Making an ethical decision is thinking about the lifecycle of

a project or product or design, not just assuming everything
is fine.

Moral Values – how to teach?
Each family and society has its own views on important
morals and values. Parents can guide their children to an
understanding of the morals and values they hold in esteem.
According to Dr. Maria Montessori, the character of the
child is strongly influenced as it develops from birth to age
6.
Example:
Children are more easily influenced by what you say than
what you do. If you wish your children to treat others with
respect, let them see you model that respect to everyone
from the Pastor in Church or Imam in Mosques to the
Homeless Man on the street.
Ethics
Ethics are opportunities for a healthy debate.
“It’s a chance to really see different ways to look at a problem” -----
you do that when?
You do that when you create something but also when you look at the
moral implications of that creation.
Being ethical isn’t always about cut and dry answers but getting
yourself to actually consider the possibilities.
By doing that, you’re already ahead of many people

Law vs. Ethics
ETHICS
LAW Offers guidance on
conduct
Creates rules to guide
conduct Addresses situations in
which competing values
Punishes conduct that clash
is “illegal” through
formal structures

Personal vs Professional Ethics
PERSONAL
https://youtu.be/0WxOGR6HKFs

Engineering
Engineering is a “profession” serving society
One of the most powerful gifts of engineering is how it improves lives.
But, in the wrong hands, it can be the opposite
As such, society imposes special obligations on engineers.

engineers
What is that?

“It is a great profession. There is the fascination of
watching a figment of the imagination emerge
through the aid of science to a plan on paper. Then
it moves to realization in stone or metal or energy.
Then it brings jobs and homes to men. Then it
elevates the standards of living and adds to the
comforts of life. That is the engineer’s high
privilege.” Herbert Hoover, Ex-president of the United
states
10/8/23
Engineering Ethics– some concepts
WHAT IS ENGINEERING ETHICS ?
It is the field of applied ethics and system of moral

principles that apply to the practice of engineering.
It is the study of moral issues and decisions confronting
individuals and organizations engaged in engineering.
It is defined by the codes and standards of conduct
endorsed by engineering
(professional) societies with respect to the
particular set of beliefs, attitudes and habits
displayed by the individual or group.

Ethics in Engineering
There are many fields of engineering, such as
Chemical
Mechanical
Electrical
Software
Industrial
Civil, etc.
However, there are many “ethical issues” that

arise across all of these fields of engineering.

Top 20 engineering achievements of the 20 th century,
Identified by the National Academy of Engineering:
Electricity , automobiles, airplanes, water supply
and distribution, electronics, radio and television,
agricultural mechanization, computers, telephones,
air-conditioning and refrigeration, highways, space
crafts, Internet, imaging technologies, household
appliances, health technologies, petrochemical
technologies, laser and fiber optics, nuclear
technologies, and high-performance materials
Ethics in Engineering Course????
We have been studying Engineering, such as
design, analysis, and performance
measurement.
measurement
Where does “Ethics” fit in?

How to FIT “Ethics” into Engineering
with the “needs” of Society?
Professional & Social Responsibility
Professional Responsibility:
Ethics fits into engineering is through

professional responsibility.
Professional & Social Responsibility
Social Responsibility:
One main connection between ethics and engineering
comes from the impact that engineered products &
processes have on society
Engineers have to think about designing, building, and

marketing products that benefit society
Social Responsibility requires taking into

consideration the needs of society
Two Dimensions of Ethics in
Engineering
Ethics is part of engineering for two main
reasons.
a) Engineers need to be socially responsible

when building products and processes for
society.
b)
c) Social responsibility requires professional

responsibility.
ABET Says . . .
By the time of graduation students will

have an understanding of professional
& ethical responsibility
http://www.boston.com/news/globe/magazine/articles/2006/09/10/its_the_engineering_stupid/
ABET: “Criteria for Accrediting Engineering Programs”
Engineering programs must demonstrate that their students attain:
1. an ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, science, and engineering
2. an ability to design and conduct experiments, as well as to analyze and interpret data
3. an ability to design a system, component, or process to meet desired needs within realistic
constraints such as economic, environmental, social, political, ethical, health and safety,
manufacturability, and sustainability
4. an ability to function on multi-disciplinary teams
5. an ability to identify, formulate, and solve engineering problems
6. an understanding of professional and ethical responsibility
7. an ability to communicate effectively
8. the broad education necessary to understand the impact of engineering solutions in a global,
economic, environmental, and societal context
9. a recognition of the need for, and an ability to engage in life-long learning
10. a knowledge of contemporary issues, and
11. an ability to use the techniques, skills, and modern engineering tools necessary for engineering
practice.
How Ethics Fits into
Engineering???
Engineers . . .
Build products such as cell phones, bridges, &

cars. In general they advance society by building
new technology.
Develop processes, such as

the process to convert salt water into fresh water
the process to refine gas & recycle bottles
These processes change how we live and what

we can accomplish.
Products and Processes have
consequences for society:
Example for Consequences;
If the bridge has an inadequate support, it will fail.
In the car, If the gas tank is positioned too close to the
bumper, it might explode from a small accident.
If the process for recycling bottles produces too much
pollution, then it is counterproductive.
If the process for refining gas produces too much toxins, it
harms the local community.

Decisions made by engineers usually
have serious consequences to people
-- often to multitudes of people.
‘Ethics’ and ‘Ethical Reasoning’
guide “Decision-Making”.
“Decision-Making”
Let us see an example!

Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant (Fukushima
Dai-ichi - Japan)
The damage to the Fukushima I Nuclear Power Plant

(Fukushima Dai-ichi)
has led people worldwide to rethink the ethics of nuclear
power.

ISSUE #1: HEALTH AND SAFETY
RISKS: Danger to current and future
generations from leakage of radio-
isotopes used in nuclear power.
Plutonium-239 (half-life = 24,110 yrs) is a
particularly toxic radio-isotope.
Normally, 10 half lives are required before a
Pu-239 contaminated area is considered safe
again, in the case of plutonium, roughly
250,000 years.
So if Pu leaked,
leaked -- say, due to an
earthquake -- it would cause a
health risk for roughly 8000
generations!!

Issues (cont.):
ISSUE #1: HEALTH AND SAFETY RISKS,
further considerations
a) The possibility of medical science

discovering a cure for cancer sometime in
the current or next centuries adds
uncertainty to the long-term health risks
of leakages of radio-active isotopes.

Issues (cont.):
ISSUE #1: HEALTH AND SAFETY RISKS,
further considerations
b) The use of nuclear power may
increase our knowledge of radioisotopes
used for medical purposes (possible
benefit?).

Issues that come up in these
discussions !!!!!

CONSEQUENCES OF ALTERNATIVES TO NUCLEAR POWER
ISSUE #2: DEPLETION (reduction) OF RESOURCES
Alternatives to Nuclear Power:
Fossil Fuels, Oil, Natural Gas & Coal, are non-renewable
These resources also affect the goal of health because of their impact on
pollution and climate changes.

CONSEQUENCES OF ALTERNATIVES TO NUCLEAR POWER
ISSUE #3: COMPARATIVE ECONOMIC COSTS OF RENEWABLE SOURCES
Renewable sources such as hydro-electric-power, wind power, solar power, geo-
thermal heat, agricultural biomass and tides do not cause the environmental hazards
that fossil-fuels do.
But renewable sources must be balanced with the amount of energy needed to produce
and maintain them and consequent environmental hazards. Currently, for example, the
energy required to manufacture and install solar energy systems comes from fossil fuels.

Reasoning
The kind of reasoning that goes on in
such discussions involves certain
goals such as, in this case;
health
safety and
biodiversity
The reasoning then focuses on
finding the best – or at least the
reasonably better --
means
for obtaining those goals

This type of reasoning is often called Practical
Reasoning. It uses different methods from
Mathematics and the SciencesEthical reasoning is a
type of practical reasoning which in particular
concerns certain societal or life-form goals, such as
justice, equality, freedom, health & safety

But ….
Most technology has double
implications: As it creates
benefits…… it raises new
challenges !!

Typical Ethical Issues that
Engineers Encounter
Safety
Acceptable risk
Compliance
Confidentiality
Environmental health
Data integrity
Conflict of interest
Honesty/Dishonesty
Societal impact
Fairness
Accounting for uncertainty, etc.
How to solve “ISSUES”?

Why study engineering ethics?
How to deal with ethical dilemmas in their
professional lives and achieve moral autonomy ?
To responsibly confront moral issues raised by
technological activity
When students enter the professional world,
they will be expected to follow an explicit or
implicit ethical code

Teaching engineering ethics : to acquire the following
moral competences:
1. Moral sensibility: the ability to recognize social & ethical
issues in technology
2. Moral analysis skills: the ability to analyse moral
problems in terms of facts, values, stakeholders & their
interests
3. Moral creativity: the ability to think out different options
for action in the light of (conflicting) moral values and the
relevant facts

4. Moral argumentation skills: the ability to
morally justify one’s actions and to discuss and
evaluate them together with other engineers
and non-engineers
5. Moral decision-making skills: the ability to
reflect on different ethical theories and
frameworks and to make a decision based on
that reflection
6. Moral judgment skills: the ability to give a moral judgment
on the basis of different ethical theories or frameworks
including professional ethics and common sense morality

Direct Aim:
To increase one’s ability to deal effectively with moral complexity in
engineering
Strengthens one’s ability to reason clearly and carefully about moral
questions
To increase moral autonomy (be independent)
HOW TO ACCOMPLISH THE ABOVE ?

By improving various “Practical Skills”

“Practical Skills” are as;
1. Moral Awareness
2. Moral Reasoning
3. Moral Coherence
4. Moral Imagination
5. Moral Communication
6. Moral Reasonableness
7. Respect for Persons
8. Tolerance of Diversity
9. Moral Hope
10. Integrity

Engineering Ethics– concept
Discussing ethics is not against technology, nor
against “progress”, but failures, disasters,
accidents, misuse of technology in the past, with
or without conscience intentions, by engineers
must open the discussion about “good”
technology and the orientation and direction of
what is meant by “technological progress”

The scope of engineering ethics
Cautious Optimism
about Technology
Ethics and Excellence
Personal Commitment and

Meaning
Promoting
Micro and Macro Issues Responsible
Conduct and
Myriad Moral Reasons Preventing
Generate Ethical Dilemmas Wrong Doing

“Moral Values” & “Moral Dilemmas”
To understand “Moral Values” & “Moral Dilemmas” (covered as HINT under ‘scope of engg
ethics’ for title explanation – myriad moral reasons generate ethical dilemmas) in detail, let us take a case study
and for moral values we’ll consider new case study;
BEFORE WE PROCEED INTO THE CASE STUDY, LET US REFRESH AS BELOW;
Moral Values (Morality)

– right & wrong, good & bad (‘ethics’ is the study of “morality” & ‘engineering ethics’ is the study of
the “decisions”, “policies”, “values” that are morally desirable in engineering practice & research)
Dilemmas
– ethical dilemmas or moral dilemmas are situations in which moral
reasons come into conflict ( obligations, rights, goods, ideals)

complex situations leading to moral dilemmas
“Ethical or Moral Dilemma”
moral reasons – obligations, right, goods, ideals come into conflict
(applications ‘unclear’)
There are some difficulties in arriving at the solution to the problems, in dilemma. The three
complex situations leading to moral dilemmas are:
1. The problem of vagueness‫غموض‬: One is unable to distinguish between good and bad (right or
wrong) principle. Good means an action that is obligatory. For example, code of ethics
specifies that one should obey the laws and follow standards.
Refuse bribe or accept the gift, and maintain confidentiality
2. The problem of conflicting reasons: One is unable to choose between two good moral
solutions.
One has to fix priority, through knowledge or value system.
3. The problem of disagreement: There may be two or more solutions and none of them
mandatory. These solutions may be better or worse in some respects but not in all aspects.
One has to interpret, apply different morally reasons, and analyze and rank the decisions.
Select the best suitable, under the existing and the most probable conditions
Steps in resolving ethical dilemmas
“Ethical or Moral Dilemma”
moral reasons – obligations, right, goods, ideals come into conflict
(applications ‘unclear’)
Reasonable solutions to ethical dilemmas are clear (clarity), informed

(knowing and appreciating) & well reasoned (good judgment)
Clarity – about which moral values are at stake and how they pertain to the
situation or precision in using the key concepts (ideas) applicable in the
situation (conceptual clarity).
Informed – knowing and appreciating the implications of the available facts
that are morally relevant or being aware of alternative courses of action
Well –reasoned – good judgment is exercised in integrating the relevant moral
values and facts to arrive at a morally desirable solution.

CASE STUDY – “Moral Dilemmas”
A Chemical Engineer working in the environmental division of a
computer manufacturing firm learns that her company might be
discharging unlawful amounts of lead & arsenic into the city sewer.
The city processes the sludge into a fertilizer used by local farmers.
To ensure the safety of both the discharge and the fertilizer, the city
imposes restrictive laws on the discharge of lead & arsenic.
Preliminary investigations convince the engineer that the company
should implement stronger pollution controls, but her supervisor tells
her the cost of doing so is prohibitive and that technically the
company is in compliance with the law. She is also scheduled to
appear before town officials to testify in the matter.

CASE STUDY – “Questions”
1. “Ethical Problem” here?
2. “Ethical or Moral Dilemma” here?

moral reasons – obligations, right, goods, ideals come into conflict (applications
‘unclear’)
3. “Moral Values” here?

moral values are myriad and come into conflict, requiring ‘good
judgment’ about how to reconcile and integrate
4. What should she do?
5. “CODES” any?
AIChE – American Institute of Chemical Engineers
6. Which you oversee as ‘unethical’? (immoral – failing to do action)

1. Moral Clarity: Identify the Relevant Moral Values
Aware of ‘moral values’ & ‘ reasons’ applicable in the situation – Identify it !
i.e. obligations, duties, rights, goods, ideals or other moral considerations
“Most directly affected are the local farmers, but the dangerous chemicals could affect more
persons as lead and arsenic are drawn into the food chain ”
Exactly how we articulate the relevant values reflects our moral outlook?
i.e. talking with colleagues (who can help to know what is at stake in the situation?)
moral frameworks (stating what the ethical dilemma is?)
professional codes (useful resource in identifying ethical dilemmas)
Note: Codes by AIChE (American Institute of Chemical Engineers)
1. To be honest – issue statements or present informations in an truthful manner
2. Responsibility to the employers – to avoid conflicts of interest and never breaching confidentiality
3. Responsibility to the public
4. Protect the environment

2. Conceptual Clarity: Clarify Key Concepts
As a employee
think of; what is good for the corporation in the long run?
having short term view that could harm the long-term interests of
the corporation
hold paramount the safety, heath & welfare of the public

3. Informed about the facts: Obtain Relevant Information
Knowing – sometimes the primary difficulty in resolving

moral dilemmas is uncertainty about the facts
“the engr needs to check and recheck her findings,
perhaps asking colleagues for their views” – Why?

4. Informed about the options: Consider all options
Appreciating – Do this or that

i.e. Either bow to one’s supervisor’s orders or blow the
whistle to the town authorities
“the engr might be able to suggest a new course of
research that will improve the removal of lead and
arsenic”

5. Well-Reasoned: Make a Reasonable Decision
Arriving judgment by weighing all the relevant ‘moral reasons’

and ‘facts’
If there is no ideal solution, we seek at least a satisfactory one,
what Herbert Simon dubbed ‘satisficing’
“Engr may convince her company by producing valuable computers

as public good is held paramount by coming close enough to obeying
the law”

CASE STUDY – “Right-Wrong or Better-Worse”
An environmental engineer is retained by a major industrial owner
to examine certain lands adjacent to an abandoned industrial facility
formerly owned and operated by the owner. Owner’s attorney,
requests that as a condition of the retention agreement that engr sign
a secrecy provision whereby engr would agree not to disclose any
data, findings, conclusions or other information relating to his
examination of the owner’s land to any other party unless ordered by
a court, engr signs the secrecy provisions.

What is the ethical problem here?
Scenario:
NSPE – it didn’t put any ban in signing the secrecy provision
- it does in fact require engineers to hold paramount
the public safety
After signing, the engr is obliged to maintain the secrecy, if any, say, the
land has environmental effects, that may affect the public safety - ---
Now ‘dilemma’ comes into effect.
Now what you will do?
*NSPE – National Society for Professional Engineers

Dilemma’s have solutions that are either right or wrong
“if dangers to the public are discovered and if the client refuses to
remedy them, the engr would be obligated to notify proper
authorities”

Accepting & Sharing
Responsibility
Saving Citycorp Tower – case study (illustrates…
‘individuals who accept responsibility for their work can make an enormous
difference’)
Meaning of Responsibility (can be compared with the above

case study)
Obligations – he met his responsibilities (action
taken which is morally mandatory)
Accountable- he was responsible
Conscientious – he acted responsibly
Blameworthy/Praiseworthy – he is admirable

Case study: CITICORP building

Structural Engineer Bill LeMessurier faced a big
design problem when he worked on the Citicorp
Centre, N.Y – fifth highest skyscraper in New
York.
The 900 feet bank would rise from 9-storey (114’)
high columns.
The columns are positioned as follows: one at the
center and the other at the CENTER OF EACH
SIDE OF THE TOWER and not at the CORNERS
OF THE TOWERS (as is usual)

This was because of a corner of the plot
belonged to a church and the church had to be
accommodated there.
The building was completed in 1977.

Le Messurier’s structure also departed from the usual in that half of the
building’s gravity load as well all of its wind load is brought down an
imaginatively designed trussed frame, which incorporates wind braces on
the outside of the tower.
An engineering student like you questioned: what will happen when the
wind loading is oblique?
Calculations should show that in Case (c) the resultant force is 40% larger.

There was no need to worry because the braces as
designed could handle such an excess load without
difficulty,
difficulty provided that the welds were of the
expected high quality.
However, while LeMessurier designed welded
joints,
joints the contractor,
contractor Bethlehem Steel changed
them to bolted joints.
joints
Recalculation was not done to check what the
construction change would do.

‘Wind Tunnel Tests’ proved that the diagonal wind loading
(with a return period of 16 years) can lead to the failure of
the critical bolted joints and therefore the building.
LeMessurier was deeply troubled. He considered his
options: Silence or Suicide?
Then he told himself:
I have information that nobody else in the world had.
I have power to effect extraordinary events that only I could
initiate.

He explained the problem to his client Citicorp.
The building was strengthened by welding two-
inch thick steel plates over each of the 200 bolted
joints.
joints
With only welding half the number of bolts
hurricane Ella was threatening to strike the
building.
Luckily Ella’s direction changed.

Despite the fact that nothing happened as the
result of the engineering gaffe, the crises was kept
hidden from the public for almost 20 years.
LeMessurier was criticized for:
Insufficient oversight leading to bolted rather than
welded joints.
For misleading the public about the extent of the
danger during the reinforcement process
For keeping the engineering insights from his peers for
decades.

His reputation was enhanced rather than tarnished
by the episode by saving lives and he preserved his
integrity

CASE STUDY – “Questions”
1. “Ethical Problem” here?
2. “Ethical or Moral Dilemma” here?

moral reasons – obligations, right, goods, ideals come into conflict (applications
‘unclear’)
3. “Moral Values” here?

moral values are myriad and come into conflict, requiring ‘good
judgment’ about how to reconcile and integrate them
4. “CODES” any?
ASCE – American Society of Civil Engineers
5. Which you oversee as ‘unethical’? (immoral – failing to do action)

Ethics – “Understood !!!!!”
ChemE Students and AIChE members on Ethics and Chemical Engineerin
g.mp4

Responsible Professionals &
Ethical Corporations

OVERVIEW:
Introduction
What are Professions?
Advanced Expertise
Self-Regulation Forms of
Public Good work
Morally Committed Corporations

Social Responsibility Movement
Senses of Corporate Responsibility

Introduction
Much engineering has been embedded in corporations – how? (see below)
The development of engineering as a Profession during the 19th century were in
2 stages (identified by engr, historian, Edwin T.Layton, Jr.,)
1st stage – growth took place (public resources – rail roads, canals) – who can
undertake? Only large MNC’s
2nd stage – demand for engineers exploded
Note: dominance of independent consulting engineers began to fade, as

engineering became increasingly tied to
corporations

What are Professions?

Any occupation that provides a means by which to earn a
living
Professions are those ‘forms of work’ involving;
# Advanced expertise
# Self regulation
# Service to public good

# Advanced expertise
Professions require;
Sophisticated Skills (knowing how)

Theoretical Knowledge (knowing that)

# Self Regulation - explains

“Autonomy ‫االستقالل‬of the Profession”
Setting standards for admission to the profession
Drafting codes of ethics
Enforcing standards of conduct
Representing the profession before the public and
the govt.

# Public Good
Serving by maintaining high ethical standards in well-
being, safety & health
Where as other professions;
Medicine – towards promoting only health

Law – towards protecting only public’s legal rights

Let us analyze two corporations having the theme “profit & not-for-profit
organization”
Enron
Quickie Designs

Enron – sells natural gas & whole sale electricity (later involved in bankruptcy
due to its wrong morality)
Quickie Designs – manufactures ‘wheel chairs’ for physically challenged
Morale: Larger companies characterized by more intense competition and profit-making

pressures face a greater challenge in maintaining an “ethical climate” where as the
Quickie Designs is committed to “caring capitalism”

Enron – example for corporate scandal ‫فضيحة الشركة‬

Involved in Bankruptcy ‫افالس‬in U.S. history erasing about 60$ billion in
shareholder value
In 1985, it grew rapidly, selling natural gas & whole sale electricity
In 1990s, it began using fraudulent ‫احتيال‬accounting practices by ‘price
manipulating in sales’ of electricity to California resulting ‘massive financial
loses to the city’
Invested money in ever-expanding markets, often where it lacked expertise
Voted as most “innovative corporation” in 1996-2000 by ‘Fortune Magazine’

Quickie Designs – example for “not-for-profit” organization

Place a high priority in concern for worthwhile products and ethical
procedures (not like Enron)
Founded in 1980 by Marilyn Hamilton, a school teacher and athlete
(paralysis patient)
Request her friends to go for highly mobile, light weight and versatile wheel
chair made from Al tubing (before this incident, only heavy wheel chairs)
Started company for ‘innovative engineered products’ for people with
disabilities


This arises w.r.t. ‘whether corporations have social responsibility or not?’
Reason: cares only “profits”, they don’t care about ‘safety, environment issues
& ethics’
Ex: simply Corporation Vs Socially Responsible Corporation
simply Corporation Socially Responsible Corporation

Follows “ethical custom” & against what Strive to be good neighbors by supporting local schools, cultural
described in next activities, civic groups, charities – follows “moral custom”
Don’t care, having ready excuses, say, ‘we

can’t control who buys the product, how it Genuinely concerned about what happens to a product once it leaves
is used, how it is discarded?’ the factory?
Ex: Dry Cell Batteries – 15 billion produced in a
Yr and end up in the municipal waste annually
Participate in finding solutions ---- how?

How a ‘socially responsible corporation’ participates in finding solutions?

Ex: Cardiac Pacemakers Inc. ‫صناعة اجهزة تنظيم ضربات القلب‬of St. Paul, Minnesota
Pay attention towards: “efforts to be in touch with its customers” by inviting heart
patients to the plant so they may share and perhaps alleviate their concerns while
employees working on the pacemakers develop a heightened awareness of their
responsibilities to turn out ‘high-quality product’
Morale: even under normal economic conditions, some corporations are more
committed to quality, safety, and ethics than others
All the above social related issues are discussed in “Stakeholder Theory” – ‘Attention
towards product quality, well-being of workers, wider community, & the environment’,
explained by a ‘social responsibility movement’ also in 1960.
Is there any critics?
Yes
Nobel Laureate Economist ‘Milton friedman’ attacked the ‘social responsibility
movement’ by quoting
“the social responsibility of business is to increase its profits”
“responsibility of management is to satisfy the desires of stockholders who entrust
corporations with their money in order to maximize return in their investment”
“the responsibility of managers is to conduct the business in accordance with their
(stockholders) desires, which generally will be to make as much money as possible while
conforming to the basic rules of the society, both those embodied in law and those
embodied in ethical custom”

Meaning of Corporate Responsibility
Obligations
Accountable ‫مسئولية‬
Conscientiously ‫وعي‬
Praiseworthy/Blameworthy

Basic questions to ask yourself
regarding a design project
Who might be affected?
Is development of the product safe?
Is development of the product ethical?
What is the effect of the project on natural resources? on
human welfare? on human rights?
What could go wrong?
What are the risks and liability?
How might the product be used, other than for its intended
purpose?

HW - Case Studies
Involve;
Gathering information’s and writing a short report
explaining the ‘moral problems’ involved
Asking basic questions to yourself regarding
‘design’ (failure concepts)

What went wrong?
1912: Titanic (The Titanic was carrying 2,223 passengers on board when it
sank, and out of those 1,517 died.

What went wrong?
Cracks usually initiate at some point of stress concentration
Ex: Titanic ship sideswipes the iceberg damaging the 300 feet Hull and sank in the sea losing
more than 1500 lives
Reasons:
Brittle fracture of the Hull Steel
Failure of the rivets
Flaws in the watertight compartment
Causes for Brittle Failure:

Low Temperature – Water Temperature was below freezing
High Impact Loading – Ship was travelling at high speed when impact with iceberg
High Oxygen & Sulphur Content
– Hull Steel contained high levels of oxygen & sulphur
– High oxygen content lead to increased ductile to brittle transition temperature i.e. 25 to 60o C But modern steels
exhibits similar behavior below –60o C
–High Sulphur content disrupts the grain structure by forming magnesium sulphide which act as highways for
crack propagation

Case study 1: Low-frequency
electromagnetic fields

Case study 1: Low-frequency
electromagnetic fields

Case study 2: The Bay Area
Rapid Transit System (BART)

Case study 2: The Bay Area
Rapid Transit System (BART)

Case study 3: Design of
uncomfortable chairs
A cafeteria in an office building has comfortable
tables and chairs, indeed too comfortable: They
invite people to linger longer than the
management desires.
You are asked to design uncomfortable ones to
discourage such lingering.

Case study 4: Light transmitting
concrete
allegedly has the strength of
traditional concrete
Contains an imbedded array of
glass fibers

Case study 5: Burj al Arab
Built on an artificial
island 280 meters (1000
feet) away from the
beach
World’s tallest hotel, at
1,053feet
A massive steel
exoskeleton steadies
the tower against
seismic loads and the
wind
Robert Hay, Jillian Benzing, Amanda D’Cruz, Jag Gohil, Rachael

Adie, Heli Eunike GE 449, March 29,2005, Group F4
What went wrong?
1974: DC 10 Turkish jet crashes near Paris, killing 34500

What went wrong?
1984: Bhopal Accident(India): chemical plant At least 8,000 died
in the immediate tragedy

What went wrong?
1973: Ford Pinto : Fuel System design

What went wrong?
1986: Challenger Space Shuttle Disaster

What went wrong?
1986: Tchernobyl: Nuclear Power Plant Disaster

What went wrong?
1987 : Herald of Free Enterprise (Zeebrugge, Be)

What went wrong?
1998 : ICE Train Accident in Eschede (Germany)

What went wrong?
2000: Concorde Crash (Paris)

What went wrong?
2006 : Maglev Train Accident in Lathen (Germany)

Assignment CONCEPTS
Gather information and write a short report explaining
the moral problems involved in the cases shown below:
Batch-1 1984: Bhopal Accident(India): chemical plant At
least 8,000 died in the immediate tragedy
Batch-2 Bay Area Rapid Transit System

Batch-3 Light transmitting concrete
Batch-4 Burj al Arab
Batch-5 2000: Concorde Crash (Paris)
Batch-6 1973: Ford Pinto : Fuel System design
Batch-7 1986: Tchernobyl: Nuclear Power Plant Disaster

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Chap 1 Ethics & Professionalism

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Professional Practice

Project (Case-Study/ PD course) 10%

Midterm Exams 30%

Final Exam 40%

Mike W. Marlin, Roland Schinzinger, Ethics in Engineering, 4th edition,

McGraw-Hill Book Company, New York, 2005.

1 17/9/2023 1 o Introduction to Ethics & Professionalism

Lecture Slide Dr. Baskaran.K

(A) Improvement of the cognitive skills (skills of the intellect in thinking

Lecture Slide Dr. Baskaran.K

Lecture Slide Dr. Baskaran.K

If a society has no interest in ethical

behavior, people will not feel obliged to

care about their fellow human beings

Lecture Slide Dr. Baskaran.K

Examples of famous people who did good work

Lecture Slide Dr. Baskaran.K

System of moral principles

Lecture Slide Dr. Baskaran.K

Lecture Slide Dr. Baskaran.K

Making an ethical decision is thinking about the lifecycle of

Lecture Slide Dr. Baskaran.K

By doing that, you’re already ahead of many people

Lecture Slide Dr. Baskaran.K

Lecture Slide Dr. Baskaran.K

Lecture Slide Dr. Baskaran.K

One of the most powerful gifts of engineering is how it improves lives.

But, in the wrong hands, it can be the opposite

As such, society imposes special obligations on engineers.

Lecture Slide Dr. Baskaran.K

It is the field of applied ethics and system of moral

Lecture Slide Dr. Baskaran.K

However, there are many “ethical issues” that

Lecture Slide Dr. Baskaran.K

Where does “Ethics” fit in?

Lecture Slide Dr. Baskaran.K

Ethics fits into engineering is through

Engineers have to think about designing, building, and

Social Responsibility requires taking into

a) Engineers need to be socially responsible

c) Social responsibility requires professional

By the time of graduation students will

Build products such as cell phones, bridges, &

Develop processes, such as

These processes change how we live and what

Lecture Slide Dr. Baskaran.K

Lecture Slide Dr. Baskaran.K

The damage to the Fukushima I Nuclear Power Plant

Lecture Slide Dr. Baskaran.K

Lecture Slide Dr. Baskaran.K

a) The possibility of medical science

Lecture Slide Dr. Baskaran.K

Lecture Slide Dr. Baskaran.K

Lecture Slide Dr. Baskaran.K

Lecture Slide Dr. Baskaran.K

Lecture Slide Dr. Baskaran.K

Lecture Slide Dr. Baskaran.K

Lecture Slide Dr. Baskaran.K

Lecture Slide Dr. Baskaran.K