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Agenda Review Ethics I Introduce resources for ethical decisions in engineering References
Challenger Hand-Out NSPE Code of Ethics NSPE Cases Handout Martin and Schinzinger Code of Ethics: Introduction to Engineering Ethics, p. 1 22.
Engineering Ethics
The study of the moral values, issues, and decisions involved in engineering practice. The moral values take on forms including responsibilities, ideals, character traits, social policies, and relationships desirable from individuals and corporations engaged in engineering.
Global Environment
Family
Engineering Profession
Clients or Consumers
Some professional organizations have addressed the complexity of moral issues in their fields by developing codes of ethics Professional codes of ethics consist primarily of principles of responsibility that delineate how to promote the public good.
Roles of Codes
Shared Standards Positive Support to Act Ethically Guidance Concerning Obligations Motivation Education Deterrence and Discipline Professional Image
Fundamental Canon
Engineers, in the fulfillment of their professional duties, shall: 1. Hold paramount the safety, health and welfare of the public. 2. Perform services only in areas of their competence. 3. Issue public statements only in an objective and truthful manner. 4. Act for each employer or client as faithful agents or trustees. 5. Avoid deceptive acts. 6. Conduct themselves honorably, responsibly, ethically, and lawfully so as to enhance the honor, reputation, and usefulness of the profession.
The skies were clear and the sun shone on the cold freezing morning of January 28, 1986. Kennedy Space Center in Florida was busy preparing the launch of the 25th space shuttle into space. Mission 51-L, the 10th flight of Orbiter Challenger. This was one of the most publicized launches because it was the first time that a civilian, a school teacher, was going into space. The launch of Challenger had been delayed five times due to bad weather, January 28 was the coldest day that NASA had ever launched a shuttle. The time had come, at 11:38 AM Eastern Standard Time, Challenger left Pad 39B at Kennedy. Seventy three seconds into flight, the Orbiter Challenger exploded, killing all seven of its crew.
The Explosion
3 Seconds
59 Seconds
64.7 Seconds
In view of the findings, the Commission concluded that the cause of the Challenger accident was the failure of the pressure seal in the aft field joint of the right Solid Rocket Booster. The failure was due to a faulty
effects of temperature, physical dimensions, the character of materials, the effects of reusability, processing and the reaction of the joint to dynamic loading.
(Source: The Presidential Commission on the Space Shuttle Challenger Accident Report, June 6, 1986 p.40, p.70-81)
http://www.uoguelph.ca/~mgravell/
O-Ring
http://www.jlhs.nhusd.k12.ca.us/Classes/Social_Science/Challenger.html/C hallenger.html
Discussion Points
Interested Parties The section of the NSPE Code of Ethics that may be helpful Consequences of potential actions Obligations or correct action Issues or points of conflict
Summary
Defined ethics and engineering ethics Tried one approach to developing a wellreasoned response to a moral dilemma Introduced the NSPE Engineering Code of Ethics Tried application of the Code of Ethics to engineering cases