Connexions module: m13789 1
Case Analysis Module: Chemical A
or B?
∗
William Frey
This work is produced by The Connexions Project and licensed under the
Creative Commons Attribution License
†
Abstract
This module is founded on two insights: the analogy between problem-solving in ethics and design
methodology and the eectiveness of case analysis for practicing skills in ethical problem-solving. Stu-
dents will practice using a four-stage decision-making framework developed on analogy from the software
development cycle. They will also learn socio-technical system analysis and how to use this to formulate
and solve ethical problems that arise in everyday engineering practice. This module has been developed
to test the capacity of the EAC Toolkit to add value to engineering ethics modules and to draw together
interdisciplinary teams in designing and modifying EAC modules. This module is being developed as a
part of an NSF-funded project, "Collaborative Development of Ethics Across the Curriculum Resources
and Sharing of Best Practices," NSF SES 0551779.
Case Analysis Module for Engineering Ethics
Chemical A or B?
By William J. Frey
Module Introduction:
This module consists of three components designed to provide you with an opportunity to practice
decision-making in real world situations. The rst component, the case presented below, Chemical A or B?,
actually happened although the particulars have been altered to protect the condentiality of those involved.
It provides you with a decision point. You must take on the role of one of the cases participants and make
a decision from the standpoint of that participant.
Following the case is a four stage process designed to help you make a rigorous ethical decision. First, you
will specify the problem by specifying the underlying socio-technical system and identifying its conicting
embedded moral and non-moral values. Second, you will brainstorm solutions to this problem in a solution
generation stage. Third, you will evaluate each solution alternative using ethics tests and a global feasibility
analysis. Finally, you will use a detailed feasibility test to identify underlying resource, interest, and technical
constraints. This will provide guidance for developing a plan for implementing your solution.
Introduction
You are a chemical engineering student has been working with a local manufacturing rm as a part
of your university's co-op program. For several years the rm has been using chemical A as a catalyst in
their manufacturing process. Chemical A is carcinogenic, although studies supporting this claim have only
recently been published. Without taking elaborate safety precautions, workers handling chemical A would
be exposed to sucient amounts to risk developing cancer. The signicance of this risk is covered over
by the fact that the disease takes up to 20 years to manifest itself. The company has tried to implement
∗
Version 1.2: Mar 2, 2007 8:39 am US/Central
†
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/
http://cnx.org/content/m13789/1.2/
