Engineering Ethics

Engineering ethics involves the application of ethics and moral standards in the field of engineering to ensure and promote professionalism in that filed. According to the code of ethics of engineers, engineering professionals have an obligation to give regard to the public welfare, which is paramount above all other personal interests ("NSPE provides a code of ethics and other resources to practice ethical engineering", 2016). However, some corporations overlook their responsibility as professionals to produce products that are less economical or have little production time as a shortcut to maximizing on their returns within the shortest time possible. It is important to note that less efficient products pose a threat to the environment and human welfare, and failing to regulate the standards and quality of products by ensuring conformity to ethics has a potential catastrophic effect in the long run.

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We cannot completely ignore the fact that regulating and conforming to ethics and standards is the best way to ensure safety, health, and welfare of the public. Without standards for ethical practices things are likely to get out of hand. Professionals will have no limits and knowing that there is minimal or no consequences for their actions, the engineering field is likely to take a wrong course. Though it is not entirely observed, ethics, to some extent, provides the limits to professionals and corporations, and they understand that they have to work in a certain way and within their competencies, something which may not be observed if ethics is not encouraged within the engineering field. Ethics act as a guide to professionals on how they should conduct themselves giving consideration to their responsibility in the society, their honor and reputation as professionals as well as the usefulness of their profession in the society (Martin, Schinzinger, & Schinzinger, 2010).

According to the National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE), engineers are encouraged to avoid all known and potential conflicts of interest with their employers or clients ("NSPE provides a code of ethics and other resources to practice ethical engineering", 2016). Conflicts of interest are likely to influence the judgment of professionals as well as their quality of service. Engineering ethics encourage that such conflicts be disclosed to the employers or clients by engineering professionals. Without such principles more conflicts could arise, which can possibly lead to a crisis in the engineering filed if the situation is not managed well. Additionally, NSPE Code requires that engineering professionals adhere to the principles of sustainable development which demands that measures should be taken to enhance environmental sustainability. Understanding such principles is essential and cannot be ignored by the engineers. The environment supports life and if it becomes unsustainable, then we are all putting ourselves in danger by not taking the necessary steps to protect it. Perhaps, such principles as sustainability should be incorporated in the licensure requirements for corporations to ensure that they are not broken for personal gains.

Engineering ethics has entered the engineering curricula a few decades ago, and it should be supported to ensure that graduates and professionals have an understanding of their professional and ethical responsibility. The engineering fraternity should move from the compliance mindset and think of how engineering ethics can be integrated into the field. Ethics and standards in the field will only improve quality. The problem on engineering ethics is a systematic problem, and dealing with this problem requires an overhaul of the whole regulatory structure, corporate structure, engineering education and business education. Therefore, regulations should be formulated to ensure conformity to standards and ethics is ensured for better engineering practices.

References

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Martin, M. W., Schinzinger, R., & Schinzinger, R. (2010). Introduction to engineering ethics. Boston: McGraw-Hill Higher Education.

NSPE provides a code of ethics and other resources to practice ethical engineering. (2016). Nspe.org. Retrieved 5 April 2016, from http://www.nspe.org/resources/ethics