What Do You Think? A Series of Case Studies

The following appears in the Encyclopedia Americana (1954, Vol. 10, p. 346b):

The practice of engineering entails the scientific planning, design, creation, and economical operation of physical structures. A useful art, it involves the application of science—potentially of every science—to the practical needs of civilized living. Science is the crystal, and common sense the matrix, in the cross section of any useful art. In the field of inanimate objects, particularly, science is the source of fact, and engineering is the art that makes the pure science useful to man.

It is my belief that this commentary, while fifty-one years old, still holds truths for today. For me that truth is that as an engineering professional, my role in society is to utilize the sciences to provide for the health, welfare, and general well being of civilization. My belief in this truth leads me to a conclusion that I cannot fulfill the responsibility of my profession to provide for the health, welfare, and general well being of those around me without a continual accounting and evaluation of the consequences of my work. Additionally, that accounting and evaluation must be done both privately as a self-evaluation and publicly with others both within and outside of my profession. This process of considering and evaluating the consequences of my work and my behavior in order to assess my impact on those affected (or potentially affected) is what I am referring to when I speak of ethical behavior. In my view ethical behavior is a way of conducting my life, not merely a measure of my adherence to a specified set of arbitrary rules.

This is not to say that rules aren’t important! They are! All review and assessment must take place within a framework that is acceptable to and understood by all parties. This framework provides the rules (the language) for all to use in the discussion of ideas. It provides a set of tools to utilize in the evaluation of our actions and our impact, for better or worse, on those affected.

ASCE has, since September 2, 1914, provided a behavioral framework for its members called the “Code of Ethics.” The current code was amended in 1996. The code, since its first adoption, has provided a thorough and thought-provoking framework for all members of ASCE to conduct their lives within. I say “to conduct their lives” because an engineering professional is an engineering professional twenty-four hours each day, seven days each week, the whole year around. A misguided action or comment from an engineering professional is, I believe, just as detrimental to civilization whether rendered “at work” or on vacation. When I accepted the laurels associated with college graduation and a professional career, I also accepted the obligation to conduct my life within a framework of norms and behaviors that wouldn’t diminish the trust that society places in me.

It must be noted however, that ASCE’s Code of Ethics, the Ten Commandments, or any other framework for the conduct of human life has little value unless it is a part of the fabric of one’s life. Further, its value is greatly diminished if it is utilized simply as a dogmatic set of rules that is never discussed and debated. One must continuously test one’s understanding of what the words mean in the context of the present day and one’s life experiences, as well as the thoughts and experiences of others. In that regard I believe that ethics is far more like art than science. Ethics, like engineering, must operate within a basic set of laws that reflect our understanding today. In engineering I call them the physical laws. In ethics I call them the Ten Commandments, the Code of Ethics, the basic set of “rights” and “wrongs” in human behavior.

It is my hope that this monthly column, which will be devoted to the discussion of ethical issues in and around the engineering community, will stimulate serious thought, discussion, and growth among my colleagues in the area of ethical behavior. I do not intend to limit areas of discussion to simply breaches of laws and outcomes of court cases. As I said, I believe engineering professionals have a responsibility for ethical behavior each moment of each day.

Additionally, it is my expectation that those reading this column will provide much of the “case study” material for future columns, as well as questions, comments, and opinions. Coming to one’s own understanding of ethical behavior requires much discussion and contemplation, and I am hopeful that this column will provide both a starting place for many discussions as well as another occasional point of view.

With that introduction I provide the following case study for your consideration and thoughtful response.The NSPE Board of Ethical Review (BER) provided the case study below. The facts contained do not necessarily represent all the pertinent facts submitted to or reviewed by the BER.