Engineering Ethics Two - Introduction to Engineering - Lecture Slides, Slides of Engineering Physics

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Engineering Ethics

ORIGINS OF ETHICS

• Western ethics based on Ancient Greek Philosophy
• Further developed by Judeo-Christian tradition
• Similar ethical principals developed in non-western cultures
• Law: Engineering governed by local, state, federal laws. Many of which are based on ethical principals.

CONSIDER THE CHALLANGER DISASTER

• Launched in cold weather
• O-ring failed due to cold
• Resulting explosion killed all aboard.
• Engineers recommended NO LAUNCH
• Management over ruled them and launched

What Happened?

• Have you ever made a potato canon? (Don’t do this at home it is dangerous).

The Joint Design on the solid rocket booster

Questions to be asked include:

• When there are safety concerns, what is the engineers responsibility before thelaunch decision is made?
• After the decision to launch what are the engineers duties?
• If the decision doesn’t go with the engineers belief should he/she complain to uppermanagement?
• Should the press be informed?
• What are the duties and responsibilities after the disaster?
• What to do if the launch succeeded but the post mortem showed O-ring failure withnear catastrophic results?
• Should an engineer who is in management separate engineering from his/hermanagement decisions?

Pentium chips

• 1994 saw reports of a problem with Pentium chips they were flawed
• Initially they said it was a minor. & not important for most applications.
• Finally public outcry forced a change. Chips were replaced

• Was this ethical behavior on Intel's part?
• A code of ethics isn’t; a substitute for sound judgment