Ethics in Engineering
What We Can Do, and What We Should Do By Thomas M. Doran, P.E., FESD
“The purest treasure mortal times afford Is spotless reputation; that away Men are but gilded loam or painted clay... Mine honor is my life; both grow in one; Take honor from me, and my life is done.” —SHAKESPEARE, RICHARD II
...many technical professionals who participated in projects we now consider unethical or evil were convinced at the time they were just doing their jobs
18 | TechCentury | SPRING 2018
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eputation, honor, and character require ethical reference points. Technical professionals don’t make political or policy decisions, but we are often recruited to help implement such decisions. Should we do something because we can, or because we’re told to? Of course, we’re constrained by budgets, schedules, the competitive market, but these cannot be excuses for failing to ask the necessary ethical questions. Security systems, manufactured products, the environment, genetics, medical devices and drugs, software—so many things that affect our communities, country and world are impacted by technical professionals. A sobering thought is that many technical professionals who participated in projects we now consider unethical or evil were convinced at the time they were just doing their jobs, or that the questionable projects they were supporting with their technical expertise would bring about a necessary end. We need not hold the same religious or philosophical beliefs to get into the practice of probing our consciences, questioning motives, keeping good ethical references close at hand (Leon Kass and Mary Ann Glendon are two of my favorites), and examining the propriety of what we or our employers are doing. Historical evidence and reason demonstrate that ethically grounded societies are more peaceful, just and creative. I read a book about Adolph Eichmann that describes how little lies and little accommodations