Engineering Ethics,
Edition 1
An Industrial Perspective
By Gail Baura, Ph.D.
Publication Date:
11 Apr 2006
Description
Engineering Ethics is the application of philosophical and moral systems to the proper judgment and behavior by engineers in conducting their work, including the products and systems they design and the consulting services they provide. In light of the work environment that inspired the new Sarbanes/Oxley federal legislation on “whistle-blowing¿ protections, a clear understanding of Engineering Ethics is needed like never before.
Beginning with a concise overview of various approaches to engineering ethics, the real heart of the book will be some 13 detailed case studies, delving into the history behind each one, the official outcome and the “real story¿ behind what happened. Using a consistent format and organization for each one—giving background, historical summary, news media effects, outcome and interpretation--these case histories will be used to clearly illustrate the ethics issues at play and what should or should not have been done by the engineers, scientists and managers involved in each instance.
Key Features
- Covers importance and practical benefits of systematic ethical behavior in any engineering work environment
- Only book to explain implications of the Sarbanes/Oxley "Whistle-Blowing" federal legislation
- 13 actual case histories, plus 10 additional "anonymous" case histories-in consistent format-will clearly demonstrate the relevance of ethics in the outcomes of each one
- Offers actual investigative reports, with evidentiary material, legal proceedings, outcome and follow-up analysis
- Appendix offers copies of the National Society of Professional Engineers Code of Ethics for Engineers and the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers Code of Ethics
About the author
By Gail Baura, Ph.D., Department of Engineering, Loyola University Chicago, IL, USA
Table of Contents
Part I: An Ethics Foundation
Chapter 1: A Personal Engineering Ethics Threshold
1.1 A Real World Example
1.2 What Is Engineering Ethics?
1.3 Ethical Theories
1.3.1 Utilitarianism
1.3.2 Duty Ethics
1.3.3 Rights Ethics
1.3.4 Virtue Ethics
1.4 Engineering Ethics Codes
1.4.1 NSPE Code of Ethics for Engineers
1.4.2 IEEE Code of Ethics
1.4.3 Code Effectiveness
1.5 Professional Responsibility
1.5.1 Protection of Public Safety
1.5.2 Technical Competence
1.5.3 Timely Communication of Negative & Positive Results to Management
1.6 Ethical Dilemmas
1.6.1 Public Safety & Welfare
1.6.2 Data Integrity & Representation
1.6.3 Trade Secrets & Industrial Espionage
1.6.4 Gift Giving & Bribery
1.6.5 Principle of Informed Consent
1.6.6 Conflict of Interest
1.6.7 Accountability to Clients & Customers
1.6.8 Fair Treatment
1.7 Determining Your Personal Engineering Ethics Threshold for Action
1.7.1What Is Your Personal Threshold?
1.8 References
1.9 Questions for Discussion
Chapter 2: Options for Action When an Engineering Ethics Threshold is Reached
2.1 Departure
2.2 Whistleblowing
2.3 The Employee Conscience
2.3.1 Employee Protection Legislation
2.3.2 Employee Protection Procedures
2.3.3 Employee Protection Examples
2.4 The Observer Conscience
2.4.1 Observer Protection Legislation
2.4.2 Observer Protection Procedures
2.4.3 Observer Protection Examples
2.5 Conclusion
2.6 References
2.7 Questions for Discussion
Part II: National Case Studies
Chapter 3: 1978 - Ford Pinto Explosion
3.1 The Reported Story
3.2 The Back Story
3.3 Applicable Regulations
3.4 An Engineering Perspective
3.5 References
3.6 Questions for Discussion
Chapter 4: 1981 - Kansas City Hyatt Regency Skywalk Collapse
4.1 The Reported Story
4.2 The Back Story
4.3 Applicable Regulations
4.4 An Engineering Perspective
4.5 References
4.6 Questions for Discussion
Chapter 5: 1986 - Challenger Space Shuttle Explosion
5.1 The Reported Story
5.2 The Back Story
5.3 Applicable Regulations
5.4 An Engineering Perspective
5.5 References
5.6 Questions for Discussion
Chapter 6: 1989 - Exxon Valdez Oil Spill
6.1 The Reported Story
6.2 The Back Story
6.3 Applicable Regulations
6.4 An Engineering Perspective
6.5 References
6.6 Questions for Discussion
Chapter 7: 1989 - San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge Earthquake Collapse
7.1 The Reported Story
7.2 The Back Story
7.3 Applicable Regulations
7.4 An Engineering Perspective
7.5 References
7.6 Questions for Discussion
Chapter 8: 1994 - Bjork Shiley Heart Valve Defect
8.1 The Reported Story
8.2 The Back Story
8.3 Applicable Regulations
8.4 An Engineering Perspective
8.5 References
8.6 Questions for Discussion
Chapter 9: 1999 - Y2K Software Conversion
9.1 The Reported Story
9.2 The Back Story
9.3 Applicable Regulations
9.4 An Engineering Perspective
9.5 References
9.6 Questions for Discussion
Chapter 10: 2002 - Bell Laboratories Scientific Fraud
10.1 The Reported Story
10.2 The Back Story
10.3 Applicable Regulations
10.4 A Scientific Perspective
10.5 References
10.6 Questions for Discussion
Chapter 11: 2002 - Ford Explorer Rollover
11.1 The Reported Story
11.2 The Back Story
11.3 Applicable Regulations
11.4 An Engineering Perspective
11.5 References
11.6 Questions for Discussion
Chapter 12: 2003 - Columbia Space Shuttle Explosion
12.1 The Reported Story
12.2 The Back Story
12.3 Applicable Regulations
12.4 An Engineering Perspective
12.5 References
12.6 Questions for Discussion
Chapter 13: 2003 - Guidant Ancure Endograft System
13.1 The Reported Story
13.2 The Back Story
13.3 Applicable Regulations
13.4 An Engineering Perspective
13.5 References
13.6 Questions for Discussion
Chapter 14: 2003 - Northeast Blackout
14.1 The Reported Story
14.2 The Back Story
14.3 Applicable Regulations
14.4 An Engineering Perspective
14.5 References
14.6 Questions for Discussion
Chapter 15: 2004 – Indian Ocean Tsunami
15.1 The Reported Story
15.2 The Back Story
15.3 Applicable Regulations
15.4 An Engineering Perspective
15.5 References
15.6 Questions for Discussion
Part III: Individual Case Studies
Chapter 16: Anonymous Industrial Engineering Ethics Cases
16.1 Case 1: Biomedical Engineer
16.2 Case 2: Mechanical Engineer
16.3 Case 3: Electrical Engineer
16.4 Case 4: Geologic Engineer
16.5 Case 5: Biomedical Engineer
16.6 Case 6: Electrical Engineer
16.7 Case 7: Mechanical Engineer
16.8 Case 8: Biomedical Engineer
16.9 Case 9: Computer Engineer
16.10 Case 10: Electrical Engineer
Chapter 1: A Personal Engineering Ethics Threshold
1.1 A Real World Example
1.2 What Is Engineering Ethics?
1.3 Ethical Theories
1.3.1 Utilitarianism
1.3.2 Duty Ethics
1.3.3 Rights Ethics
1.3.4 Virtue Ethics
1.4 Engineering Ethics Codes
1.4.1 NSPE Code of Ethics for Engineers
1.4.2 IEEE Code of Ethics
1.4.3 Code Effectiveness
1.5 Professional Responsibility
1.5.1 Protection of Public Safety
1.5.2 Technical Competence
1.5.3 Timely Communication of Negative & Positive Results to Management
1.6 Ethical Dilemmas
1.6.1 Public Safety & Welfare
1.6.2 Data Integrity & Representation
1.6.3 Trade Secrets & Industrial Espionage
1.6.4 Gift Giving & Bribery
1.6.5 Principle of Informed Consent
1.6.6 Conflict of Interest
1.6.7 Accountability to Clients & Customers
1.6.8 Fair Treatment
1.7 Determining Your Personal Engineering Ethics Threshold for Action
1.7.1What Is Your Personal Threshold?
1.8 References
1.9 Questions for Discussion
Chapter 2: Options for Action When an Engineering Ethics Threshold is Reached
2.1 Departure
2.2 Whistleblowing
2.3 The Employee Conscience
2.3.1 Employee Protection Legislation
2.3.2 Employee Protection Procedures
2.3.3 Employee Protection Examples
2.4 The Observer Conscience
2.4.1 Observer Protection Legislation
2.4.2 Observer Protection Procedures
2.4.3 Observer Protection Examples
2.5 Conclusion
2.6 References
2.7 Questions for Discussion
Part II: National Case Studies
Chapter 3: 1978 - Ford Pinto Explosion
3.1 The Reported Story
3.2 The Back Story
3.3 Applicable Regulations
3.4 An Engineering Perspective
3.5 References
3.6 Questions for Discussion
Chapter 4: 1981 - Kansas City Hyatt Regency Skywalk Collapse
4.1 The Reported Story
4.2 The Back Story
4.3 Applicable Regulations
4.4 An Engineering Perspective
4.5 References
4.6 Questions for Discussion
Chapter 5: 1986 - Challenger Space Shuttle Explosion
5.1 The Reported Story
5.2 The Back Story
5.3 Applicable Regulations
5.4 An Engineering Perspective
5.5 References
5.6 Questions for Discussion
Chapter 6: 1989 - Exxon Valdez Oil Spill
6.1 The Reported Story
6.2 The Back Story
6.3 Applicable Regulations
6.4 An Engineering Perspective
6.5 References
6.6 Questions for Discussion
Chapter 7: 1989 - San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge Earthquake Collapse
7.1 The Reported Story
7.2 The Back Story
7.3 Applicable Regulations
7.4 An Engineering Perspective
7.5 References
7.6 Questions for Discussion
Chapter 8: 1994 - Bjork Shiley Heart Valve Defect
8.1 The Reported Story
8.2 The Back Story
8.3 Applicable Regulations
8.4 An Engineering Perspective
8.5 References
8.6 Questions for Discussion
Chapter 9: 1999 - Y2K Software Conversion
9.1 The Reported Story
9.2 The Back Story
9.3 Applicable Regulations
9.4 An Engineering Perspective
9.5 References
9.6 Questions for Discussion
Chapter 10: 2002 - Bell Laboratories Scientific Fraud
10.1 The Reported Story
10.2 The Back Story
10.3 Applicable Regulations
10.4 A Scientific Perspective
10.5 References
10.6 Questions for Discussion
Chapter 11: 2002 - Ford Explorer Rollover
11.1 The Reported Story
11.2 The Back Story
11.3 Applicable Regulations
11.4 An Engineering Perspective
11.5 References
11.6 Questions for Discussion
Chapter 12: 2003 - Columbia Space Shuttle Explosion
12.1 The Reported Story
12.2 The Back Story
12.3 Applicable Regulations
12.4 An Engineering Perspective
12.5 References
12.6 Questions for Discussion
Chapter 13: 2003 - Guidant Ancure Endograft System
13.1 The Reported Story
13.2 The Back Story
13.3 Applicable Regulations
13.4 An Engineering Perspective
13.5 References
13.6 Questions for Discussion
Chapter 14: 2003 - Northeast Blackout
14.1 The Reported Story
14.2 The Back Story
14.3 Applicable Regulations
14.4 An Engineering Perspective
14.5 References
14.6 Questions for Discussion
Chapter 15: 2004 – Indian Ocean Tsunami
15.1 The Reported Story
15.2 The Back Story
15.3 Applicable Regulations
15.4 An Engineering Perspective
15.5 References
15.6 Questions for Discussion
Part III: Individual Case Studies
Chapter 16: Anonymous Industrial Engineering Ethics Cases
16.1 Case 1: Biomedical Engineer
16.2 Case 2: Mechanical Engineer
16.3 Case 3: Electrical Engineer
16.4 Case 4: Geologic Engineer
16.5 Case 5: Biomedical Engineer
16.6 Case 6: Electrical Engineer
16.7 Case 7: Mechanical Engineer
16.8 Case 8: Biomedical Engineer
16.9 Case 9: Computer Engineer
16.10 Case 10: Electrical Engineer
Book details
ISBN:
9780120885312
Page Count: 240
Retail Price
:
£39.99
Fleddermann, C. B. Engineering Ethics. 2nd edition, paperback, Prentice Hall; 2003; 168 pp.; $27.00, £30.99, 0131408259
Gorman, M. E., et al. Ethical and Environmental Challenges to Engineering. Prentice-Hall: Upper Saddle River, NJ, 2000, 269 p., $36.00,£20.99, 013011328X
Harris et al Engineering Ethics: Concepts and Cases, includes CD. ed. 2. Wadsworth/Thomson Learning: Belmont, CA, 1999, 377 pp., $69.95, £35.00, 0534533973.
Gorman, M. E., et al. Ethical and Environmental Challenges to Engineering. Prentice-Hall: Upper Saddle River, NJ, 2000, 269 p., $36.00,£20.99, 013011328X
Harris et al Engineering Ethics: Concepts and Cases, includes CD. ed. 2. Wadsworth/Thomson Learning: Belmont, CA, 1999, 377 pp., $69.95, £35.00, 0534533973.
Audience
Mechanical, Aerospace, Civil, Chemical, Electrical, Environmental, and Biomedical engineering; Undergraduate and graduate engineers in these same disciplines; Managers in industry responsible for product development, product safety and liability issues; In-house legal counsel at major manufacturing companies; Public-sector managers and attorneys responsible for enforcement and prosecution of liability, fraud, and related legal areas having to do with product quality and safety
Related Titles
