Beyond the Code A Philosophical Guide to Engineering Ethics

For over 80 years, the National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE) has been a leader in the promotion of ethical practice within the field of engineering. One of the Society’s greatest contributions is the formation and adoption of the NSPE Code of Ethics. But the code, with its six "Fundamental Canons," is only truly instructive if engineers can bridge the gap between principles and action. Here there is no substitute for personal reflection on the ethical and philosophical issues that underlie the code. If done well, such reflection provides an indispensable basis for moral problem solving. Beyond the Code: A Philosophical Guide to Engineering Ethics is designed to complement the NSPE Code of Ethics by helping readers "go beyond" in their understanding of the philosophical issues bound up in the code. Each chapter addresses one of the Fundamental Canons of the NSPE code, and provides a philosophical analysis of the various parts of each canon by employing contemporary and classical texts. This unique approach to engineering ethics guides students and professionals in their readings of the appended selections to refine their understanding of the code in order to apply it to the practical challenges of today’s engineers. Key Features: Is the first introduction to engineering ethics that helps students understand and apply the NSPE Code of Ethics to engineering practice Includes a Preface from Arthur E. Schwartz, NSPE Deputy Executive Directorand General Counsel, and NAFE Executive Director As a hybrid text, includes primary philosophical texts with extensiveintroductions and guided reading questionsfrom the book’s three authors Offers case studies from the NSPE Board of Ethical Review, allowing students to see a direct connection between the issues discussed in the text and real-world engineering practice Includes the following pedagogical aids: "Key Terms and Concepts" for each chapter "Preparing to Read" sections before each primary source reading "Guided Reading Questions" after each primary source reading "Going Beyond—Our Questions for a Deep Dive" after each case study.

Foreword by Arthur E. Schwartz, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the NSPE PrefaceIntroduction: ConceptsNormative EthicsConsequentialismDeontologyApplied EthicsMoral Theories as Imperfect ToolsValue Conflicts in Applied EthicsMorality and LawMetaethicsPhilosophy of ScienceWhy Metaethics and Philosophy of Science?Guided Core Reading I.1: ‘An Ethical Framework for Evaluating Experimental Technology’ by Ibo van de Poel (excerpts)Guided Core Reading I.2: ‘Why Ethics Matters for Autonomous Cars’ by Patrick Lin (excerpts)NSPE Board of Ethical Review CasesGuided Further Reading 1.Public WellbeingPublic WelfarePaternalismTechnological MediationDistributive JusticeGuided Core Reading 1.1: ‘Integrating Ethics in Design through the Value-Sensitive Design Approach’ by Mary L. Cummings (excerpts)Guided Core Reading 1.2: ‘The (Mis)Framing of Social Justice: Why Ideologies of Depoliticization and Meritocracy Hinder Engineers’ Ability to Think About Social Injustices’ by Erin A. Cech (excerpts)NSPE Board of Ethical Review CasesGuided Further Reading 2. CompetenceComplications for Determining CompetenceEthical CompetencePractical JudgementMoral ExemplarsMentorshipEthical EngagementTechnological RationalityExcellence and ExpertiseGetting it RightTechnical and Moral ExpertiseGuided Core Reading 2.1: ‘Mentoring, Some Ethical Considerations’ by Vivian Weil (excerpts)Guided Core Reading 2.2: ‘Changing the Paradigm in Engineering Ethics’ by Jon Alan Schmidt (excerpts)NSPE Board of Ethical Review CasesGuided Further Reading 3. ObjectivityDescartes, Objectivity and ScienceThe Method of DoubtFallacies and ObjectivityThe Fallacies of RiskSocial EngineeringEngineering and Scientific ObjectivityScientific IntegrityLack of Integrity in Science and EngineeringAcademic PressuresThe Obligation to Explain WellGuided Core Reading 3.1: ‘Fallacies of Risk’ by Sven Ove Hansson’ (excerpts)Guided Core Reading 3.2: ‘The Integrity of Science: What It Means, Why It Matters’ by Susan Haack (excerpts)NSPE Board of Ethical Review CasesGuided Further Reading 4. LoyaltyFiduciary ObligationsDivided Loyalties in EngineeringPredatory LoyaltyNarrow LoyaltyAttitude LoyaltyWhistleblowingGenuine LoyaltyGuided Core Reading 4.1: The Philosophy of Loyalty by Josiah Royce (excerpts)Guided Core Reading 4.2: ‘Whistleblowing: Professionalism, Personal Life, and Shared Responsibility for Safety in Engineering’ by Mike W. Martin (excerpts)NSPE Board of Ethical Review CasesFurther Guided Reading 5. Honesty and DeceptionLying and DeceptionThe Value of HonestyHonesty and HappinessHonesty and PowerHonesty and AutonomyThe Problem of Full DisclosureHonesty: Some Unanswered QuestionsUnderstanding TrustTrust and RelianceTrust and VulnerabilitySelf-DeceptionUnderstanding Self-DeceptionQuestions Regarding Self-DeceptionPlagiarism and Deception Guided Core Reading 5.1: ‘The Ethics of Truth Telling and the Problem of Risk’ by PB Thompson (excerpts)Guided Core Reading 5.2: ‘Trust and Anti-Trust’ by Annette Baier (excerpts)NSPE Board of Ethical Review CasesFurther Guided Reading 6. Professional HonorProblems for Professional ResponsibilityRethinking ResponsibilityPersonal MeaningGuided Core Reading 6.1: ‘Ain’t Nobody Here But Us Social Forces’ by Michael Davis (excerpts)Guided Core Reading 6.2: ‘Responsible Engineering: The Importance of Character and Imagination’ by Michael S. Prichard (excerpts)Guided Core Reading 6.3: ‘Personal Meaning and Ethics in Engineering’ and ‘Moral Creativity in Science and Engineering’ by Mike W. Martin (excerpts)NSPE Board of Ethical Review CasesGuided Further Reading

Heidi Furey is Assistant Professor of Philosophy at Manhattan College. She has authored several publications on professional ethics in leading research publications. Scott Hill is a Lecturer in the Department of Philosophy at the University of Colorado, Boulder. His papers have appeared in American Philosophical Quarterly, Australasian Journal of Philosophy, Canadian Journal of Philosophy, Ergo, and Erkenntnis. Sujata K. Bhatia is Professor of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at the University of Delaware, where she teaches design courses for chemical engineers and biomedical engineers.