Teaching Engineering Ethics in the High School Classroom Presented by:

Lecture: Ethics for High School Presented By: Craig Titus 1

Teaching Engineering Ethics

in the

High School ClassroomPresented by:Craig Titus

Head Teaching Assistant – EPICS

Lecture: Ethics for High School Presented By: Craig Titus 2

• Goals for Today1. Understand “Ethics” in practical language2. Understand “Professional Ethics”3. Have tools to engage students in learning ethics4. Have a continuing resource to share experiences

Lecture: Ethics for High School Presented By: Craig Titus




What are the ethical issues?



What are the ethical issues?





ETHICS


ETHICS: • The theory of how we ought to act.

• The cohesive set of principles which guide & evaluate behavior.

• The rules of conduct recognized in certain associations or departments of human life.

• Organized in CODES or FRAMEWORKS

MORALITY:• Behavior conforming to accepted moral standards


Virtues Culture

Utility

ContractsRights

Etc.

Profession #1

Friends

Family

Profession # 2

Sub-cultures

Partnerships


MORAL LANGUAGE:

Right = Agrees with some standard or principle of moral correctness.Wrong = Deviates from that moral standard.

Good actions = Likely to lead to your intended end (right actions). Bad actions = Unlikely to lead toward your intended end.

Fact = Scientifically verifiable information about your situation.Value = Personal opinion or belief.


PROFESSIONAL ETHICS


Virtues Culture

Utility

ContractsRights

Etc.

Profession #1

Friends

Family

Profession # 2

Sub-cultures

Partnerships


The Attributes of a Profession:

1. Involves work that requires sophisticated skills, judgment, and discretion. The work is not capable of being mechanized.

2. Membership requires extensive formal education, not only field work or an apprenticeship.

3. Self Regulating: Members set standards of admission,

conduct, and quality –– and enforce these standards.


NSPE CODE OF ETHICS:

Engineers, in the fulfilment of their professional duties, shall:

1. Hold paramount the safety, health, and welfare of the public.

2. Perform services only in areas of their competence.

3. Issue public statements only in an objective and truthful manner.

4. Act for each employer or client as faithful agents or trustees.

5. Avoid deceptive acts.

6. Conduct themselves honorably, responsibly, ethically, and lawfully…


Ethical Decision Making


Ethical Decision Making Process

1. State problem

2. Check facts

3. Develop list of several possible options

4. Test options hypothetically

5. Make a choice

6. Follow through on your choice!


Evaluate the options by asking the following questions:1. The Utilitarian Approach

Which option will produce the most good and do the least harm?

2. The Rights ApproachWhich option best respects the rights of all who have a stake?

3. The Justice ApproachWhich option treats people as I want to be treated?

4. The Ethic of Care ApproachWhich option is best for those most in need?

5. The Virtue ApproachWhich option leads me to act as a respectable person?


1. State problem 2. Check facts 3. Develop list of options4. Test options 5. Make a choice6. Follow through!

1. Project Identification2. Specification development3. Conceptual design4. Detailed design5. Delivery6. Service and Maintenance

So ethics is different from design, right? WRONG!

Design Process Ethical Decision Making Process


Questions?

Contact: Craig Titus

[email protected]

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Teaching Engineering Ethics in the High School Classroom Presented by: