Post on 07-Apr-2018
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ENGINEERING
San Francisco State University
School of Engineering
Fall 2007
Case Study: Ford PintoAugust 10, 1978 Design:
compete with foreign import models that hadbetter gas mileage
rushed to have it available to the public faster
Problem: Ford knew that the gas tank would explode if hit
at >20mph from rear
Problem avoided if a rubber bladder to cushion impact was
installed that cost $5.08
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Rationale Cost analysis: the cost of installing the part was
be higher than the damage resulting fromfatalities
Resolution Ford eventually did recall the Pinto voluntarily to
save their reputation
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Case Study:The Space Shuttle Challenger
January 28, 1986
An O-ring on one of thesolid-propellant boostersfailed
The Challenger and herseven member crew were
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blown up 73 seconds after
launch
The Space Shuttle ChallengerEngineering Ethical Issue
The Challenger was launched in extremelyco wea er
An O-ring failed because of the cold
Engineers recommended that the launchbe delayed
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Ethical issue or accident?
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The Space Shuttle ChallengerEngineering Ethical Issue
NASAs budget was determined by Congress
ongress was ecom ng ncreas ng y un appy wdelays and performance in the shuttle project
NASA billed the shuttle as reliable andinexpensive
NASA was under pressure by competitor,
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Previous mission had been delayed numeroustimes by both weather and mechanical failures
The Space Shuttle ChallengerEngineering Ethical Issue
The O-ring temperature was predicted to be 29.
No data or experience existed below 53 degrees Engineers knew that cold weather would increase
problems with sealing of O-rings.
Engineers recommended not to launch
With the available data, there seemed to be no
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corre a on e ween empera ure an corros on Manager to Engineer:
Take off your engineering hat and put on yourmanagement hat.
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The Space Shuttle ChallengerEngineering Ethical Issue
Should a launch have been allowed when there
Knowing that it is impossible to test for all possibleoperating conditions?
Should a product be released when it hasntbeen tested over all expected operationalconditions?
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When the data is inconclusive, which way should
the decision go?
What is Engineering Ethics?
The study of moral decisions that must bema e y eng neers n e course oengineering practice
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Why study engineering ethics?
Engineering is a profession, not just a job
(BEFORE you have to confront them)
Goal is to train you to analyze complexproblems
May require analysis using ethical theories
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be obvious
May involve conflicting ethical principles
Ethics and the Law
Engineering and business
overne y n erna ona , e era , s a e, an ocalaws
Many laws are based on ethical principles andothers on practical issues
Engineers are minimally safe following laws
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ng neer ng e cs see s o go eyon edictates of the law
Our interest is in solving conflict with ethicswhere there is no legal guidance
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One Source of Ethical Issue:
Lack of Knowledge Engineering design is about creating new
When something is new, many questions needto be answered How well does it work?
How will it affect people?
What changes will this lead to in society?
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How well will this work under all conditions?
Is it safe?
If safety concerns exist, how bad are they?
What are the effects of doing nothing?
Professionalism andCodes of Ethics
Codes of Ethics
Resources that are available to an engineerto help find a solution
Provides a framework for ethical judgment
Codes serve as a starting point for ethicaldecision makin
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Principles and standards accepted by theengineering practice
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Professionalism and
Codes of Ethics Codes of Ethics are found in individual societies
(IEEE) Relatively short code
Deals with generalities
National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE) Longer and more detailed
More explicit and covers more ground
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Leaves less to the imagination
More useful for specific cases
Organizations and corporations have codes ofethics
Understanding Ethical Problems
Ethical problems are like design problems
A device must be designed that meets criteriafor performance, aesthetics, and price
Apply a large body of knowledge to thesolution of a problem
Involves use of analytical skills
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There are many correct solutions
Some solutions are better than others
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Understanding Ethical Problems Ethical and moral theories
Utilitarianism -
Produce the most utility balance between good and badconsequences
Duty Ethics Duties should be performed regardless of whether these acts lead
to the most good
Rights Ethics Emphasizes that we all have moral rights and any action that
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v o a es ese r g s s e ca y unaccep a e
The ultimate overall good of the actions is not taken into account
Virtue Ethics Regards actions as right that manifest good character traits
Regards actions as bad that display bad character traits
Focuses on the type of person we should strive to be
Utilitarianism Emphasis on well-being of society as a whole, not of the
individual
Ignores needs of individuals
Cost-Benefit analysis often used Projects with the highest ratio of benefits to costs will be
implemented
Can create problems, such as a nuclear disposal site Benefits society with improved health care and plentiful
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Could have adverse health effects to local population
Implementation depends greatly on knowing what willlead to the most good.
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Duty Ethics
Immanuel Kant (1724-1804) Formulated dut ethics Moral duties are fundamental Right and wrong can be determined by reason
Actions that can be written down as a list ofduties Be honest Dont cause suffering to other people
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Be fair to others, etc.
Once duties are recognized, the ethically correctmoral actions are obvious People have duties, one of which is to protect
the rights of others
Rights Ethics
Formulated by John Locke (1632-1704)
Actions are good that respect the rightsof the individual
Humans have the right to life, liberty, andproperty
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people have a duty to respect
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Virtue Ethics
Interested in determining what kind ofpeop e we s ou e
Defined as moral distinction and goodness
Actions are considered right if theysupport good character traits
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support bad character traits Closely tied to personal character
Examining a Given Problem
Which Ethical Theory to Use?
You dont have to choose
Use all theories to analyze a problem fromdifferent angles
Allows for different perspectives and tosee the result each theory gives
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,even though the theories are different
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Ethical Problem Solving TechniquesSolving by Understanding Issues
Factual issues (ex. Bribe vs. gift) Can often be resolved throu h research to establish
the truth
Conceptual issues Are resolved by agreeing on the meaning of terms
and concepts
Moral issues Are resolved by agreement as to which moral
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pr nc p es are per nen how they should be applied
Ethical Problem Solving TechniquesMoral Conflict Problems
Problem exists with two conflicting moral
Solution can be obvious when one is moresignificant than the other
When solution is not obvious, use thecreativemiddle way
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Middle ground that is acceptable to everyone Use judgment for the best choice possible
with the information available at the time
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Ethical Problem Solving TechniquesGifts vs Bribes
Definition of bribery oney or avor o ere or g ven o someone
Intended to influence or persuade
Consequences Illegal, subject to laws
Anti-competitive and corrupts our free-market
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econom c system
Gifts are usually of nominal value and arejust a form of advertising
Ethical Problem Solving TechniquesAvoiding Bribery Problems
Look for company policy
All large corporations and small companieshave very clear rules about what is acceptable
Any deviation from this rule requires approval
Other companies encourage social interactionand allow employees more discretion
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New York Times Test
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Engineers and Safety
Design must comply with applicable laws
n accep a e es gn mus mee e s an ar oaccepted engineering practice
Alternative design that are potentially safer mustbe explored
The engineer must attempt to foresee potential
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m suses o t e pro uct
Both prototypes and finished devices must berigorously tested
Professional SuccessImpediments to Ethical Behavior
Many of the ethical situations that
solutions
The ethically correct course of action isknown
Rationale used in unethical behavior
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Its not my problem If I dont do it, someone else will
I cant foresee everything that will happen
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END
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