TABLE OF CONTENTS Ethical issues in the engineering profession are becoming more prevalent as companies are competing for the same market with greater demands on engineers or alternatively with increasing demands by the public on the environment (e.g. Three Mile Island, Bhopal, etc.). Appendix B presents ethical, moral, and legal obligations, codes of conduct by engineering institutions. It also presents heuristics (i.e. ways of assisting to discover what is best) and identification strategies that are helpful in solving ethical problems. In the final analysis all heuristics are fallible; however, they provide guidelines toward the solution of a problem as their characteristics are as follows [1]:
A heuristic does not guarantee a solution.
It may contradict other heuristics.
It can reduce the time to solve a problem.
Its acceptance depends on the immediate context instead of on an absolute standard.
ASME requires ethical practice by each of its members and has adopted the following Code of Ethics of Engineers as referenced in the ASME Constitution, Article C2.1.1.
Engineers uphold and advance the integrity, honor and dignity of the engineering profession by:
Using their knowledge and skill for the enhancement of human welfare;
Being honest and impartial, and serving with fidelity the public, their employers and clients; and
Striving to increase the competence and prestige of the engineering profession.
Engineers shall hold paramount the safety, health and welfare of the public in the...
