1. Society and the Engineer
TEGT3821
Engineering Ethical Dilemmas
By: M. Kulula
2. Topics
• Engineering ethical dilemmas
• Responsible Organizational Disobedience
• Whistleblowing
• Role of Professional Engineering Organizations in
Promoting Ethical Behavior Among Engineers
3. Ethical Dilemmas
• An ethical dilemma in engineering is a situation
where an engineer must make a choice between
two or more conflicting ethical principles, such as
the obligation to prioritize public safety versus the
obligation to protect confidential information.
• These dilemmas often arise in situations where an
engineer must balance competing interests or
make a decision that will have significant
consequences for various stakeholders
4. Ethical Dilemmas
Example
• A civil engineer may be under pressure to complete
a bridge construction project on time and within
budget, but during the inspection process, it is
discovered that the bridge has structural issues that
could pose a safety risk to the public. In this
situation, the engineer must decide whether to
delay the project to make necessary repairs, or
proceed with the project as planned, even though
it may be unsafe.
5. Ethical Dilemmas
• What is the ethical dilemma in the example above?
• What ethical principles should guide the engineer
in making a decision?
• What decision should the engineer make?
6. Ethical decision-making frameworks
• Structured approaches for evaluating ethical issues
e.g. ethical dilemmas and making ethical decisions.
• help engineers identify and analyze ethical
considerations,
• determine their responsibilities and obligations,
and make decisions that align with ethical
principles and codes of conduct
7. Ethical decision-making frameworks
Some common ethical decision making frameworks
include:
• Utilitarian framework: considers the greatest good
for the greatest number of people and prioritizes
actions that bring the most benefit to society.
• Deontological framework: based on the idea of
moral duties and obligations and focuses on the
ethical principles that must be upheld, regardless of
the consequences
8. Ethical decision-making frameworks
• Virtue ethics framework: This approach
emphasizes the importance of character and
personal values in ethical decision-making.
• Care ethics framework: This approach emphasizes
the importance of caring for and protecting others,
especially those who are vulnerable or
marginalized.
• Professional codes of ethics framework: Engineers
can also use codes of ethics from their professional
organizations as a guide for resolving ethical
dilemmas.
9. Utilitarian framework
• Ethical dilemmas can be difficult to navigate, but
using a Utilitarian framework can help guide ethical
decision making.
• Utilitarianism is an ethical theory that focuses on
maximizing overall well-being or happiness for the
greatest number of people.
10. Utilitarian framework
• Step 1 - Identify the Dilemma
• The first step in applying a Utilitarian framework is
to identify the ethical dilemma.
• This involves understanding the relevant facts and
issues involved in the dilemma.
11. Utilitarian framework
• Step 2 - Identify Potential Options
• The next step is to identify all potential options for
resolving the dilemma.
• This could include options that involve different
stakeholders or actions that could be taken.
12. Utilitarian framework
• Step 3 - Assess the Consequences
• For each potential option, it's important to consider
the likely consequences of the decision.
• This could include the impact on all parties
affected, such as the stakeholders, the
environment, and broader society.
13. Utilitarian framework
• Step 4 - Determine Overall Well-being
• The next step is to evaluate the overall well-being
of each option by considering the number of
people who will benefit, the extent of the benefits,
and the duration of the benefits.
• This is a key aspect of Utilitarianism, as the goal is
to maximize overall well-being or happiness for the
greatest number of people.
14. Utilitarian framework
• Step 5 - Select the Option with the Greatest
Overall Well-being
• Based on the assessment of consequences and
overall well-being, select the option that leads to
the greatest overall well-being or happiness for the
largest number of people affected by the decision.
15. Utilitarian framework
• Step 6 - Consider Fairness and Justice
• While Utilitarianism focuses on maximizing overall
well-being, it's important to also consider fairness
and justice.
• Ensure that the option selected is fair and just to all
parties involved.
16. Utilitarian framework
• Step 7 - Re-evaluate
• If new information becomes available or if the
consequences of a decision are different from what
was expected, it may be necessary to re-evaluate
the decision and select a different option.
• This step ensures that the Utilitarian framework
remains relevant and applicable over time.
19. Responsible Organizational
Disobedience
• Responsible organizational disobedience involves
breaking the rules or policies within an organization
to promote ethical or moral values
• It is pursued in a way that is transparent,
accountable, and with a clear understanding of the
potential consequences
• In this presentation, we will explore the three
distinct areas in which responsible engineers might
be involved in organizational disobedience
20. Responsible Organizational
Disobedience
• Responsible organizational disobedience refers to
the act of disobeying or breaking the rules or
policies within an organization in order to do what
is right or to promote ethical or moral values
• It involves disobeying orders or disregarding
established procedures in order to prevent harm,
promote fairness, or defend ethical principles
21. Responsible Organizational
Disobedience
Key Differences between Responsible and Ordinary
Disobedience
• Responsible disobedience is based on a deep sense
of moral or ethical obligation
• It is pursued in a way that is transparent and
accountable
• It is done with a clear understanding of the
potential consequences and with the aim of
promoting positive change within the organization
22. Responsible Organizational
Disobedience
1. Disobedience by Contrary Action
• Disobedience by contrary action involves taking
actions that go against established policies or
procedures in order to prevent harm or promote
ethical principles
• An example might be an engineer who refuses to
sign off on a project that they believe is unsafe,
even if doing so goes against established
procedures
23. Responsible Organizational
Disobedience
2. Disobedience by Nonparticipation
• Disobedience by nonparticipation involves refusing
to take part in actions or projects that go against
one's ethical principles or values
• An example might be an engineer who refuses to
work on a project that they believe is unethical,
even if doing so might negatively impact their
career or job security
24. Responsible Organizational
Disobedience
Disobedience by Protest
• Disobedience by protest involves speaking out or
raising concerns about policies or procedures that
go against ethical principles or values
• An example might be an engineer who speaks out
against a project or policy that they believe is
harmful or unethical, even if doing so goes against
the wishes of their superiors
25. Responsible Organizational
Disobedience
Benefits and Risks of Responsible Organizational
Disobedience
• Benefits include promoting ethical principles,
preventing harm, and promoting positive change
within the organization
• Risks include potential damage to one's career or
job security, as well as potential legal or financial
consequences
27. Whistleblowing
• Whistleblowing is the act of reporting unethical or
illegal practices within an engineering organization
or company
• It is done in order to prevent harm and bring
attention to issues that need to be corrected
28. Whistleblowing
Types of Misconduct that can be Reported
• Safety violations that may harm the public or the
environment
• Fraud or other financial misconduct
• Harassment or discrimination
• Violations of professional ethics or standards
29. Whistleblowing
Importance of Whistleblowing in Engineering Ethics
• Whistleblowing is an important tool for preventing
harm and promoting ethical behavior within
engineering organizations
• It helps to identify and correct problems before
they become more serious
• It can help to prevent legal or financial
consequences for the organization or its
stakeholders
30. Whistleblowing
Legal Protections for Whistleblowers
• Many countries have laws and regulations that
protect whistleblowers from retaliation by their
employer
• Some professional organizations, such as
engineering societies, also have codes of ethics that
protect whistleblowers
31. Whistleblowing
Potential Consequences for Whistleblowers
• Whistleblowers may face retaliation from their
employer, such as termination, demotion, or
harassment
• They may also face personal and professional
consequences, such as damage to their reputation
or difficulty finding future employment
32. Whistleblowing
Ethical Considerations for Whistleblowers
• Whistleblowers have an ethical obligation to report
misconduct in order to prevent harm and promote
ethical behavior
• They should also consider the potential
consequences of whistleblowing and weigh them
against the potential harm that may result from not
reporting misconduct
33. Whistleblowing
Whistleblowing Procedures
• Many organizations have procedures in place for
reporting misconduct, including anonymous
reporting options
• Whistleblowers should follow these procedures and
seek guidance from legal or ethical experts if
necessary
34. The Role of Professional Engineering Organizations in
Promoting Ethical Behavior Among Engineers
35. • Professional engineering organizations play a
critical role in promoting ethical behavior among
engineers
• They develop codes of ethics, provide education
and training on ethical issues, enforce ethical
standards, and advocate for ethical considerations
in public policy
36. Codes of Ethics
• Professional engineering organizations develop
codes of ethics that outline the values and
principles that engineers should uphold in their
work
• Codes of ethics may include principles such as
honesty, integrity, responsibility, and respect for the
public good
37. Education and Training
• Professional engineering organizations provide
education and training to engineers on ethical
issues and practices
• This may include seminars, workshops, and online
resources that help engineers understand the
ethical implications of their work and how to
navigate ethical dilemmas
38. Enforcement of Ethical Standards
• Professional engineering organizations enforce
ethical standards by conducting investigations into
allegations of unethical behavior
• They may also discipline members who violate
ethical codes and promote a culture of ethics
within the profession
39. Advocacy for Ethical Considerations in Public Policy
• Professional engineering organizations can
advocate for ethical considerations in public policy
and decision-making
• They may work with government agencies and
other stakeholders to ensure that engineers are
held accountable for the impact of their work on
society and the environment
40. • Examples of Professional Engineering
Organizations
• National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE)
• Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
(IEEE)
• American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)
• Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE)
