Research Article
Apr 1981
Altruism, Egoism, and Risk
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VIEW THE REPLYPublication: Issues in Engineering: Journal of Professional Activities
Volume 107, Issue 2
Abstract
The conflict between self-sacrificial and self-interest motives in professional conduct is investigated. Engineering risk appears to be a link between the competing philosophical theories of altruism and egoism. Professional codes of ethics are not insensitive to egoistic motives, especially when judged from the standpoint of the profession or of engineers in a collective sense. Ethical decision problems faced by engineers are shown to be value conflicts in which altruistic and egoistic motives must be weighed, with engineering risk being the weighting function. The competing moral obligations in cases involving whistle-blowing and kickbacks are dicussed, and the implications for engineering education are investigated.
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Published In
Issues in Engineering: Journal of Professional Activities
Volume 107 • Issue 2 • April 1981
Pages: 111 - 120
Copyright
© 1981 American Society of Civil Engineers.
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Published in print: Apr 1981
Published online: Feb 11, 2021
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Authors
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Richard H. McCuen, AM.ASCE
Assoc. Dean, Coll. of Engrg., Univ. of Maryland, College Park, Md. 20742
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ASCE Library Cards let you download journal articles, proceedings papers, and available book chapters across the entire ASCE Library platform. ASCE Library Cards remain active for 24 months or until all downloads are used. Note: This content will be debited as one download at time of checkout.
Terms of Use: ASCE Library Cards are for individual, personal use only. Reselling, republishing, or forwarding the materials to libraries or reading rooms is prohibited.
Terms of Use: ASCE Library Cards are for individual, personal use only. Reselling, republishing, or forwarding the materials to libraries or reading rooms is prohibited.