Prompt Two: Defining Ethics

In the field of engineering professionals have a large responsibility they need to keep as their top priority. From civil engineers building bridges people use daily, to biomedical engineers creating medical equipment that will be in control of people's lives. The quality of work in the engineering field is very important.

The National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE) created the most well known code of ethics for engineers. The creed starts with the pledge, “As a Professional Engineer, I dedicate my professional knowledge and skill to the advancement and betterment of human welfare.” The main points in this code touch on following laws, being honest and putting service over profits. These are very important and I especially see the importance in the service over profits section.

In many other fields like business, profits exceed the well being of others. Yes, this may affect others in their bank account but for engineering the effects could be someone’s life. From the public’s perception, the ethics of the engineers is never considered. Engineering seems to be something where you expect it to be perfect, and would only notice if it is not. For example, when driving over a bridge usually you would not be thinking about who made it, or the quality of bridge. Normally you would just drive over it without thinking, because this quality of engineering is expected.

Ethics are a fairly universal topic. The code of ethics followed by engineers can connect to my personal ethics, in that I respect the law and honor honesty. These belies for any topic are very similar but the words are changed slightly to reflect the needs of the area. The ethics for anything have the universal ideas of following the laws, being honest and beyond that just doing the right thing. This does not change much between fields or by person.

Ethics are very important no matter what field, but in engineering the stakes are higher. Engineers handle our cars, roads, houses, and basically everything we use on a daily basis. With the NSPE code, it keeps these everyday items to the highest quality they can be and therefore creating a better life for everyone.

Post by David DeMeo