Do Engineers Have Social Responsibilities? By Dr. Mark Manion Associate Professor of Professional Ethics Philosophy Program Director

1The Separatist Thesis: The Special Obligations of Professional EngineersA good starting point for deciding whether anyone has a special moral obligation to others is to ask whether s/he is especially well placed to benefit or harm themThe outcome of scientific work can often have great impact for good or ill on other people. Quite frequently scientists can predict this outcome earlier and more accurately than others. Sometimes they can even modify the results. One could claim therefore, that engineers are in one of those special positions which give them special obligations)

Examples: Columbia Tragedy, Challenger Disaster, DC-10 Crashes, Ford Pinto Rear End Collisions.

Example: Physicians and nurses have a special obligation to use their knowledge and skills to improve the health of their patients2The Intrinsic Nature of EngineeringThere are two general types of definitions of engineering: The Narrow Definition and the Broad Definition

The Narrow Definition

Engineering is the application of scientific and mathematical principles to practical ends such as the design, manufacture, and operation of efficient and economic structures, machines, processes, and systems

Engineering is the art or science of making practical application of the knowledge of pure sciences, as physics, chemistry, biology, etc. --Webster's Encyclopedic Unabridged Dictionary

Engineering is the science and art of efficient dealing with materials and forces ... it involves the most economic design and execution ... assuring, when properly performed, the most advantageous combination of accuracy, safety, durability, speed, simplicity, efficiency, and economy possible for the conditions of design and service. Engineering is the practical application of science to commerce or industry

"Engineering design is the systematic, intelligent generation and evaluation of specifications for artifacts whose form and function achieve stated objectives and satisfy specified constraints."

3The Intrinsic Nature of EngineeringThe Broad Definition

The engineer is one who is claimed to possess specialized knowledge, esp. as regards the treating of human problems by scientific or technical means. "Engineering is the professional art of applying science to the optimum conversion of natural resources to the benefit of man.Engineering is the profession that puts power and materials to work for the benefit of mankind

4The Intrinsic Nature of EngineeringThe Broad Definition

Engineering is the application of science to the common purpose of life. Engineering is the art of directing the great sources of power in nature for the use and convenience of man. Engineering is the art of organizing and directing men and controlling the forces and materials of nature for the benefit of the human race. Engineering is the profession in which a knowledge of the mathematical and natural sciences gained by study, experience, and practice is applied with judgment to develop ways to utilize, economically, the materials and forces of nature for the benefit of mankind. --Engineers Council for Professional Development (1961/1979)

5The Intrinsic Nature of EngineeringThe Broad Definition

The engineer is the key figure in the material progress of the world. It is his engineering that makes a reality of the potential value of science by translating scientific knowledge into tools, resources, energy and labor to bring them into the service of man ... To make contributions of this kind the engineer requires the imagination to visualize the needs of society and to appreciate what is possible as well as the technological and broad socialunderstanding to bring his vision to reality.

6Engineering and SocietyEngineering is a great profession. There is a fascination of watching a figment of the imagination emerge, through the aid of science, to a plan on paper. Then it moves to realization in stone or metal or energy. Then it brings jobs home to men. Then it elevates the standards of living and adds to the comfort of life. That is the engineer's high privilege.To the engineer falls the job of clothing the bare bones of science with life, comfort, and hope--Herbert Hoover(US mining engineer & 3ist President of the US) (1874 - 1964)7Defining EngineeringEngineering is that profession in which knowledge of the mathematical and natural sciences gained by study, experience, and practice is applied with judgment to develop ways to utilize, economically, the materials and forces of nature for the benefit of mankind. (The Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology ABET, 1992)Engineering is the application of scientific and mathematical principles to practical ends such as the design, manufacture, and operation of efficient and economical structures, machines, processes, and systems.Engineering is the art of directing the great sources of power in nature for the use and the convenience of people. In its modern form engineering involves people, money, materials, machines, and energy. It is differentiated from science because it is primarily concerned with how to direct to useful and economical ends the natural phenomena which scientists discover and formulate into acceptable theories. Engineering therefore requires above all the creative imagination to innovate useful applications of natural phenomena. It seeks newer, cheaper, better means of using natural sources of energy and materials. (Science and Technology Encyclopedia, McGraw Hill)Engineering is the professional art of applying science to the optimum conversion of the resources of nature to the uses of humankind. (Encyclopedia Britannica) Engineering is the application of science and mathematics by which the properties of matter and the sources of energy in nature are made useful to people (Merriam-Webster Dictionary)8Defining Engineering Scientist discovers that which exists. An engineer creates that which never wasTheodore von Karman (1881-1963)9Engineering and EthicsIf we accept these definitions of engineering, it is crucial to realize the centrality of ethical concerns at the core of the engineering enterpriseConcern for social well being and humanity are part of the very definition of engineeringAssuming the intellectual rigor of these definitions, the need of ethics in engineering id nothing superfluous or added, but it is the essence of the engineering profession

10Engineering and Social ValuesToday the consequences of human creativity in the areas of engineering, technology, and science have reached measures that only a few decades ago were unimaginable (e.g., genetic engineering, biotechnology, nanotechnology, information technologies, artificial intelligence)This capacity and development mean an enormous amount of PowerKnowledge is Power (Francis Bacon, 16??)With Power comes ResponsibilityKnowledge implies responsibility the obligations of the engineer must be commensurate with the level of his or her knowledge and powerWith Responsibility comes Obligation and AccountabilityThe fact of living in a complex, global, and intercultural world coupled with the unquestionable technological power wielded by governments and societies Makes it necessary that engineers amplify the horizon of their technical knowledge with humanistic values and harmonize their specialized formation and development with knowledge of the norms, principles, and ideals of ethics