Engineering ethics charles b fleddermann pdf

Engineering Ethics

Fourth Edition

CHARLES B. FLEDDERMANN University of New Mexico

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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Fleddermann, Charles B. (Charles Byrns), 1956– Engineering ethics / Charles B. Fleddermann. — 4th ed. p. cm. Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN-13: 978-0-13-214521-3 (alk. paper) ISBN-10: 0-13-214521-9 (alk. paper) 1. Engineering ethics. I. Title. TA157.F525 2012 174'.962—dc23 2011023371

ISBN 10: 0-13-214521-9 ISBN 13: 978-0-13-214521-3

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

iii

Contents

ABOUT THIS BOOK vii

1 Introduction 1

1.1 Background Ideas 2 1.2 Why Study Engineering Ethics? 2 1.3 Engineering Is Managing the Unknown 3 1.4 Personal vs. Professional Ethics 4 1.5 The Origins of Ethical Thought 4 1.6 Ethics and the Law 4 1.7 Ethics Problems Are Like Design Problems 5 1.8 Case Studies 6

Summary 15 References 15 Problems 16

2 Professionalism and Codes of Ethics 18

2.1 Introduction 19 2.2 Is Engineering a Profession? 19 2.3 Codes of Ethics 24 Key Terms 33 References 34 Problems 34

3 Understanding Ethical Problems 37

3.1 Introduction 38 3.2 A Brief History of Ethical Thought 38 3.3 Ethical Theories 39 3.4 Non-Western Ethical Thinking 46 Key Terms 53 References 53 Problems 53

iv Contents

4 Ethical Problem-Solving Techniques 56

4.1 Introduction 57 4.2 Analysis of Issues in Ethical Problems 57 4.3 Line Drawing 59 4.4 Flow Charting 62 4.5 Confl ict Problems 63 4.6 An Application of Problem-Solving Methods: Bribery/Acceptance of Gifts 65 Key Terms 71 References 71 Problems 72

5 Risk, Safety, and Accidents 74

5.1 Introduction 75 5.2 Safety and Risk 75 5.3 Accidents 79 Key Terms 98 References 98 Problems 99

6 The Rights and Responsibilities of Engineers 103

6.1 Introduction 104 6.2 Professional Responsibilities 104 6.3 Professional Rights 106 6.4 Whistle-Blowing 108 Key Terms 120 References 120 Problems 121

7 Ethical Issues in Engineering Practice 124

7.1 Introduction 125 7.2 Environmental Ethics 125 7.3 Computer Ethics 127 7.4 Ethics and Research 135 Key Terms 143 References 143 Problems 144

8 Doing the Right Thing 150

References 155 Problems 155

Contents v

APPENDIX A Codes of Ethics of Professional Engineering Societies 157

The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc. (IEEE) 157 National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE) 158 American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) 163 American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) 164 American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AICHE) 168 Japan Society of Civil Engineers 169

APPENDIX B Bibliography 172

General Books on Engineering Ethics 172 Journals with Articles on Engineering Ethics and Cases 173 Websites 173

Index 174

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About This Book

Engineering Ethics is an introductory textbook that explores many of the ethical issues that a practicing engineer might encounter in the course of his or her profes- sional engineering practice. The book contains a discussion of ethical theories, develops several ethical problem-solving methods, and contains case studies based on real events that illustrate the problems faced by engineers. The case studies also show the effects that engineering decisions have on society.