Why do engineers follow a code of ethics?

by

Why do engineers follow a code of ethics? So you can soar safely through the skies from New York to Paris without a care in the world.

Because when you board that plane, you expect a smooth takeoff and a safe landing. You’re not sitting there thinking about the possibility of a plane crash, are you? No way, you’re too busy deciding which movie to watch and whether to choose chicken or fish with your meal.

But the impact of engineering goes far beyond just air travel. Think about your own home – your HVAC, water system, electricity, and kitchen appliances. These are things that you rely on every single day without even batting an eye.

Now, what if I told you that some of these things were designed by unethical engineers? I bet you’d start to feel a little uneasy. After all, your home would suddenly become a minefield of potential hazards. This is why ethical principles are absolutely crucial in engineering.

Impact of engineering work on the modern world

airplane flying in stormy weather

We’ve already talked about the dangers lurking in our homes if engineers don’t follow a strict code of ethics. But what about the world outside our front doors?

Think about all the things that engineers design that we take for granted every day: roads, bridges, tunnels, buildings, shopping malls, outdoor lights, traffic signals, vehicles, and their countless electronics. The list goes on and on.

It’s true – almost everything in our modern-day lives has the potential to be deadly. But because of the incredible work that engineers do, we rarely give these things a second thought.

Of course, we know that ethical principles are crucial in engineering. But what motivates engineers to follow this code of ethics?

#1 To make the world a safer place 

We’ve seen just how much our safety depends on good engineering practices, so the more engineers who take their ethical responsibilities seriously, the better.

Even seemingly small engineering projects can have a huge impact on public safety. Take the example of specifying a 240-volt panel in a forested area. It may seem like a simple task, but if you undersize the conductors connecting the load to the panel, a fire could easily break out.

And if you live in an area prone to wildfires, you know just how devastating a single match can be. This is why it’s so important to apply good engineering practices to every level of a project – no matter how seemingly insignificant.

By reinforcing the importance of ethical principles in engineering, we can ensure that engineers recognize the vital role that every single component of their work plays in keeping the public safe.

Who knows – even a seemingly insignificant screw could end up being a critical component in an airplane fighting to stay in the air.

Important Note: There are certain ethical subjects that are very dicey, such as designing weapons of war. So, where do you draw the ethical line? While this isn’t a part of my discussion, it’s certainly a deeply controversial subject that crosses many ethical boundaries. Additionally, this highlights the subjectivity of certain ethical issues, which I discuss further here.

#2 To highlight the hidden complexities in engineering

Engineering ethics may seem like a simple concept. Just crunch some numbers, design something safe, and call it a day. But let me tell you, it’s not always that simple.

When it comes to making ethical decisions in engineering, there’s often a gray area between right and wrong where ethical dilemmas come into play. It’s not always easy to tell if what we’re doing is good or bad – you need to strike the best balance.

But to make matters even more complicated, you also need to consider the interests of all stakeholders, even when they seem to be at odds with one another.

Thankfully, you have a code of ethics to guide you. By following its principles, you can better identify and address ethical issues as they come up. So as an engineer, you must constantly ask yourself some crucial questions with every project you undertake:

  • Will your decisions cause harm to anyone?
  • Are you violating anyone’s rights?
  • Are you breaking any promises or betraying anyone’s trust?

Utilitarianism versus human rights in engineering projects

busy junction full of cars and people

With utilitarianism, for example, the philosophy says that actions are right if they benefit the majority of people. So when I’m making decisions, I need to think about how my work will impact everyone involved.

But here’s the thing: I also have a responsibility to prioritize human rights. Respecting the rights of individuals is a key part of the code of ethics. For example, people have the right to live, which means I can’t market misleading or harmful products and services.

It’s a tough balancing act. When I’m trying to do the most good, there may be some people who don’t benefit. So do I sacrifice the human rights of a select few to benefit the majority? It’s a tricky question, and there’s no easy answer.

But I always make sure to take the time to explore alternative solutions and get input from my colleagues. I never rush a decision.

Are engineers the pawns in engineering projects?

By following the code of ethics, I’ve realized that sometimes I may feel like a pawn in the bigger picture. The truth is, the big players in a project may try to exert control over my every move for their own gain.

That’s why it’s crucial for me, as an engineer, to identify and understand the various stakeholders involved in a project. I make a conscious effort to uncover their motivations and determine how they’ll benefit from my work.

In addition, I constantly assess the impact of my decisions on all the players involved in the project. And the larger the project, the more people will try to influence my actions. But with the right personality and allegiance to the code of ethics, you’ll have no problems pushing back with the best of them.

#3 To show how public safety trumps everything

Once I truly grasped the essence of the code of ethics, it revolutionized the way I approached my work. Now, I have one big goal: to keep people safe while doing great engineering.

I’m not afraid to challenge poorly designed projects by others, recognizing that we all share the responsibility of keeping people safe. I’ve noticed some fellow engineers hesitate to critique their colleagues’ work, afraid of being labeled as the “bad guy” or hurting someone’s feelings. But if I spot something that could potentially harm someone, I speak up without hesitation. I couldn’t care less about making someone feel uncomfortable because it’s far better than someone getting hurt.

Most often, the engineer I inform is thankful for the feedback. After all, no engineer wants their name forever attached to a faulty design. In fact, I welcome multiple sets of eyes on my own work. It’s a better filter for catching mistakes, and I always learn something new.

Unethical engineering customers

What’s your pre-sleep routine? You probably brush your teeth, right? It’s a habit ingrained in you from childhood. Well, the same goes for following the engineering code of ethics.

I’ve encountered my fair share of shady customers over the years. They’ll do anything to cut corners and save a buck. But I never compromise my integrity for their sake. No matter who they are or what they offer.

And here’s a truth bomb for you: the customer won’t have your back if things go wrong. If you cross that ethical line and something goes awry, they’ll throw you under the bus faster than you can say your name. They’ll act like they had no idea what they were doing and blame you for not guiding them better. And guess what? They’re right. You’re the professional, and it’s your responsibility to do the right thing.

So, don’t even put yourself in that position. Even if you never get caught or nothing bad happens, you’ll still carry the weight of your actions on your conscience.

#4 To protect humanity from future technology

new technology with robots and ai

Look no further than the exhilarating world of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Today, the notion of a Skynet-like system with robots annihilating humans may seem far-fetched. But imagine a couple of hundred years down the line, and it could become a chilling reality.

Perhaps we won’t face robots knocking on our doors, guns blazing. Instead, imagine software running amok, controlling all of our human comforts and dependencies.

As it stands, we often can’t explain why AI makes specific decisions in certain applications. Now picture a world where our entire financial and energy sectors rely on such software, as is the case now. If AI cut the power for more than a week, mass hysteria would undoubtedly erupt. And if the outage persisted, countless lives would be lost.

This brings us back to the engineering code of ethics, where the core principle is to protect the public. As such, we must keep a watchful eye as technology continues to evolve.

I’m not calling for restrictions on AI’s progression—in fact, I’m an avid supporter. However, we need to carefully monitor its development and keep a watchful eye on its potential consequences.

In short, today’s engineers must design and build with the future safety of humanity in mind.

Important Note: AI is a subject that raises many ethical concerns. Would punishing AI be similar to punishing humans?

Consider that we find it acceptable to enslave anything that is less intelligent than humans, as demonstrated by zoos. However, would it be justifiable to enslave something that is significantly more intelligent than us?…

So where should we draw the line? These are all questions that the engineering code of ethics will need to address one day.

Ethics follows far behind technology

In my experience, technology often outpaces ethics, and even laws and regulations. New ethical principles and measures take time to be adopted and usually only happen after the negative impact of new technology has been seen, which unfortunately often includes deaths.

But here’s the thing: engineers can help reduce the severity of regulations by designing safe products from the outset. This means considering public safety in every aspect of new technology.

Of course, this is easier said than done, and it may slow down progress somewhat. But let’s consider the alternative. What if unregulated premature autonomous car technology caused thousands of deaths? The tech could end up being shelved and collecting dust forever.

That’s why instilling a code of ethics in engineers to prioritize public safety in future technology is critical. By doing so, we can ensure that technology continues to evolve without avoidable human regulations holding it back.

“Why do engineers follow a code of ethics?” wrap up

As engineers, we have a responsibility to the public. This obligation is fulfilled by understanding and following the code of ethics.

Why is this so important? Well, the more we understand and adhere to the code, the safer life becomes for everyone. We’re expected to follow the code of ethics to the best of our abilities, just like how we expect the food we eat to be safe. Who wants to take a bite of poisonous mushrooms bought from the supermarket, right?

By sticking to the code of ethics, we’re not only advancing our own careers but driving progress and propelling humanity forward. It’s what has propelled us from the stone age to the mind-boggling high-tech world we live in today.

Do you think all engineers equally follow a code of ethics? What do you think is the most important part of the code of ethics for engineers?

SUBSCRIBE TO ENGINEER CALCS NEWSLETTER

Get daily articles and news delivered to your email inbox

Leave a Comment