Ethics in Engineering Design

By Paul JosephM.Tech - M.D

Roll no: 143661

Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Institute of Technology, Warangal

Introduction : EthicsEthics - law correlationCase studiesCode of ethicsTrending ethical dilemma:(Impact on Sustainability of the planet)

What you will hear from me

Constituents of a successful engineer:

Knowledge

Idea

Ethics

At its simplest, ethics is a system of moral principles. They affect how people make decisions and lead their lives.(2)

described as moral philosophyderived : Greek word: ethos:[custom, habit,

character ]

“Ethics is knowing the difference between what you have the right to do, and what is the right thing to do”

-Former U.S. Supreme Court Justice Potter Stewart(6)

What is ethics…?

Ethics covers the following dilemmas:how to live a good lifeour rights and responsibilitiesthe language of right and wrongmoral decisions - what is good and bad?(2)

Our concepts of ethics have been derived from religions, philosophies and cultures.(2)

Introduction (contd…)

Legal and Ethical domain(6)

According to APJ Abdul Kalam’ s Virtue Ethics Theory There 3 types character etics:

•Individual characters ethics- Gratitude, courage, self-discipline, reliability, kindness, caring, and sincerity.

•Work characters ethics- Honesty, creativity, trustworthy, coworker appreciation, task competition, empathy, cooperativeness, supportiveness, and tolerance.

• Professional character ethics- Self-regulation, trust, independence of judgment, collegiality,  and impartiality.

Quote:

Once upon a time….Case Studies:

Worlds worst industrial disaster2-3 December 1984, at the Union Carbide

India Limited (UCIL) pesticide plant in Bhopal

Leaked  methyl isocyanate gas & other chemicals

immediate death toll : 2,259.8,000 died within two weeks

Case 1 : Bhopal Gas Tragedy

Argument 1: Argument 2:

The "Corporate Negligence" Argument

The "Disgruntled Employee Sabotage" Case

underinvested in safety  introduced water into the MIC tank

poor maintenance through the metering port

Filling tanks beyond recommended levelsinadequate emergency action plans

Causes of the disaster: Overview

WikiLeaks: Dow monitored Bhopal Activists

-Dow Chemical monitored online activities of groups that campaigned for victims of the Bhopal gas tragedy.

-“It acts on information to subvert particular groups,” Mr. Julian Assange told reporters at London’s Frontline Club.

“All Our Patent Are Belong To You”

Elon Musk, CEO Tesla Motors

Case 2 : Tesla Motors patents

Case 3 : Satyendra Dubey Case

an Indian Engineering Service (IES) officerProject Director: National Highways Authority of

India (NHAI) in  Koderma, JharkhandWorked in ‘Golden Quadrilateral’ Projectgot 3 contractor engineers suspended for serious

financial irregularitiesQuestioned Larsen and Toubro, for

subcontracting the actual work to smaller low-technology groups, controlled by the local mafia

No action from his boss in NHAIwrote directly to the Prime Minister, Atal

Bihari Vajpayee

Case 3 : Satyendra Dubey Case [Contd…]

On 27 November 2003 he was shot and killednews ignited tremendous public hue and cry The matter was raised in Parliament, and the

Prime Minister shifted the onus of investigation from the Bihar Police (who might themselves be implicated), to the CBI.

Case 3 : Satyendra Dubey Case [Contd…]

Whistleblowing: act of reporting on act of reporting on unethical conduct within an organistion to someone outside to in an effort to discourage the organization from continuing the activity.

Ex: Edward Snowden, Satyendra Dubey

After this incident the Government of India initiated proceedings to bring a

“Whistleblowers act” to protect the whistleblower and his kin from such incidents.

(Yet to be conceptualised fully.)

Case 3 : Satyendra Dubey Case [Contd…]

Morality : standard of conduct that apply to all individuals in the society

Some examples are as follows: Respect the rights of others. Show fairness in your dealings with others. Be honest in all actions. Keep promises and contracts. Consider the welfare of others. Show compassion to others.

Codes Of Ethics(6)

Professional Ethics: standard of conduct that apply a professional group

Some examples are as follows: Honesty and truth Honour—showing respect, integrity, and reputation for achievement

Knowledge—gained through education and experience Efficiency—producing effectively with minimum of unnecessary effort

Diligence—persistent effort Loyalty—allegiance to employer’s goals Confidentiality—dependable in safeguarding information Protecting public safety and health

Codes Of Ethics: [contd…]

Employerex: confidentiality

Customerex: diligence

Societyex: public health and safety

Professionex: honour

Direction of Values

Code of Ethics Examples : Code of Ethics

defined by The Institution Of Engineers (India).

Code of Ethics defined by TATA Group.

Thirty-two cases which address a wide range of ethical issues that can arise in engineering practice

“We must create an environmental screen to protect ourselves against dangerous intrusions as well as a system of public incentives to encourage technology that is both safe and socially desirable. This means governmental and private machinery for reviewing major technological advance before they are launched upon the public………A Technology Ombudsman ”

Future ShockBook by Alvin TofflerPublished: 1970

Impact on Sustainability of Planet:

1. http://onlineethics.org/ : National Academy of Engineering

2. http://www.bbc.co.uk/ethics/guide/ : B.B.C. U.K.3. Bhopal Information Centre4. http://blogs.wsj.com/ : Wall Street Journal5. http://www.teslamotors.com/blog/all-our-patent-

are-belong-you : Tesla Blog6. Engineering Design – George E Dieter7. Future Shock by Alvin Toffler8. Ethical Issues Facing Engineers and their

Profession (International Conference on Engineering Education and Research "Progress Through Partnership" © 2004 VSB-TUO, Ostrava, ISSN 1562-3580)

Reference…