An example of ethical problems faced by engineers:
In the seven years following the introduction of the Pinto (a ford car), there had been some 50 lawsuits related to rear-end collisions. Due to a flaw in the gas tank design that was not in line with accepted engineering standards, even though it did meet applicable federal safety standards at the time. During the trial, it was determined that Ford engineers were aware of the dangers of this design, but management, concerned with getting the Pinto in the market at a price that would be competitive, had constrained the engineers to use this design.
Where does an engineering team strike the balance between safety and affordability and, simultaneously, between the ability of the company to sell the car and make a profit?
Problem: in an engineer’s degree they practice generally little training in business practices, safety, and ethics.
-
Ethics and law
there is also a distinction between what is legal and what is ethical. Many things that are legal could be considered unethical. For example, designing a process that releases a known toxic, but unregulated, substance into the environment is probably unethical, although it is legal.
As an engineer, you are always minimally safe if you follow the requirements of the applicable laws. But in engineering ethics, we seek to go beyond the dictates of the law. Our interest is in areas where ethical principles conflict and there is no legal guidance for how to resolve the conflict.
engineering ethics is a body of philosophy indicating the ways that engineers should conduct themselves in their professional capacity.
-