Code of Engineering Ethics
Engineers don't just apply math formulas to materials and design mechanical things big and small; the field requires a code of ethics like any other. According to Billy V. Koen, a distinguished electrical engineering professor at the University of Texas, Austin, "In practically every engineering design project there are fundamental trade-offs between the technical considerations and such obvious ethical considerations as human life, happiness, and well-being." The Code of Ethics for Engineers, the National Society of Professional Engineers' (NSPE's) ethical framework for its members, takes these core, humanistic considerations as its starting point.
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Background
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NSPE's efforts to formalize a code of ethics began in 1935. It adopted the current Code in 1964, continually revising and updating it since then. NSPE's Board of Ethical Review helps engineers interpret the Code in specific circumstances. Its seven licensed engineer-members issue advisory opinions, in the form of case studies with titles such as "Case 07-10: Public Safety---Knowledge of Potentially Dangerous Condition" to help this math-based, practical profession deal with shades-of-gray ethical dilemmas. The Board has issued more than 500 of these opinions to date.
The Engineer's Creed
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While not included in the written Code, the Creed bears mentioning because it links the professional engineer to the Code by committing her to "the highest standards of professional conduct." It reinforces the Code by pledging engineers to strive for excellence of performance, participate only in honest enterprise, abide by the law in life and work, and "place service before profit, the honor and standing of the profession before personal advantage and the public welfare above all other considerations."
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The Preamble
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The Code's Preamble states that "engineering is an important and learned profession. As members of this profession, engineers are expected to exhibit the highest standards of honesty and integrity. Engineering has a direct and vital impact on the quality of life for all people. Accordingly, the services provided by engineers require honesty, impartiality, fairness and equity, and must be dedicated to the protection of the public health, safety and welfare. Engineers must perform under a standard of professional behavior that requires adherence to the highest principles of ethical conduct."
Fundamental Canons
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Six bedrock principles form the heart of the Code. They exhort engineers to 1) hold paramount the safety, health and welfare of the public; 2) perform services only in areas of their competence; 3) issue objective and truthful public statements; 4) act for each employer or client as faithful agents or trustees; 5) avoid deceptive acts; and 6) conduct themselves honorably, responsibly, ethically and lawfully, so as to enhance the honor, reputation and usefulness of the profession.
Rules of Practice
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Nine Rules (see References section) derived from the Canons expand the Canons with a series of detailed "thou shalts" and "shalt nots." They require engineers to practice honesty and integrity, serve the public interest, avoid conflicts of interest, safeguard clients' confidential information, refrain from criticizing or injuring the professional reputation of peers, accept personal responsibility for their work and give credit to others when deserved (see References section for the complete set).
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References
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