ME 4054: Ethics in Design

Does how you look at

things matter?

Yes. Chairoscuro is

an example.

The light value of the

center line is the same

throughout the bar,

yet it appears lighter

or darker depending

on the surroundings.

Does this guy frighten you?

Donatello

St. John the Evangelist

1412-15

As displayed in the

Museo del Duomo,

Florence

Perspective

reveals power

ASME’s Guide to Ethics

The Fundamental Principles

Engineers uphold and advance the integrity, honor and

dignity of the engineering profession by:

I. Using their knowledge and skill for the enhancement

of human welfare;

II. Being honest and impartial, and serving with fidelity

the public, their employers and clients; and

III. Striving to increase the competence and prestige of

the engineering profession.

The Fundamental Canons

1. Engineers shall hold paramount the safety, health and welfare of the

public in the performance of their professional duties.

2. Engineers shall perform services only in the areas of their competence.

3. Engineers shall continue their professional development throughout their

careers and shall provide opportunities for the professional and ethical

development of those engineers under their supervision.

4. Engineers shall act in professional matters for each employer or client as

faithful agents or trustees, and shall avoid conflicts of interest or the

appearance of conflicts of interest.

5. Engineers shall build their professional reputation on the merit of their

services and shall not compete unfairly with others.

6. Engineers shall associate only with reputable persons or organizations.

7. Engineers shall issue public statements only in an objective and truthful

manner.

8. Engineers shall consider environmental impact in the performance of their

professional duties.

Case Study: Ford Pinto… 1970’s

The Ford Pinto was Ford’s first

domestic North American subcompact

automobile marketed beginning on

September 11, 1970.

The model became a focus of a major scandal when it was alleged

that the car's design allowed its fuel tank to be easily damaged in the

event of a rear end collision which sometimes resulted in deadly fires

and explosions. Critics argued that the vehicle's lack of a true rear

bumper as well as any reinforcing structure between the rear panel

and the tank meant that in certain collisions, the tank would be thrust

forward into the differential which had a number of protruding bolts

that could puncture the tank. This, and the fact that the doors could

potentially jam during an accident (due to poor reinforcing) allegedly

made the car less safe than its contemporaries.

Ford knows there’s a problem, what

should/did they do?

Ignore the problem

Acknowledge and recall

Pay as you go

Ford’s Action Plan

Refused to pay for a redesign

Issued (internal) Ford Pinto Memo: cheaper to pay

off possible lawsuits for resulting deaths (cost

benefit analysis compared the cost of an $11 repair

against the monetary value of a human life

acquitted of criminal charges, but lost several

million dollars and gained a reputation for

manufacturing “

Eventually provided a dealer installable "safety kit"

that installed some plastic protective material over

the offending sharp objects, negating the risk of

tank puncture

“the barbecue that seats four”

Small University Accuses Stanford of Cribbing Idea

for New Artificial Knee

A blocky artificial knee joint that can be

produced for around $20 is at the heart

of a dispute between Stanford

University and LeTourneau University, a

small Christian institution in the Piney

Woods of East Texas.

Student researchers at both universities

have developed strikingly similar

models with the goal of helping

transform the lives of amputees in

developing countries.

The Ethical Debate

The 50 Best Inventions of 2009 From a rocket of the future to a $10 million lightbulb, here

are TIME's picks for the best new gadgets and breakthrough

ideas of the year

LeTourneau Claims:

Stanford copied their model

Failed to cite LeTourneau’s design

project was referred to in 2006 in the

Journal of Biomechanics nations.

Stanford Claims:

2008 design class project

Literature search didn’t show past design

Many similar designs on the market

Ethical Dilemmas

Common categories: safety vs. company

financial interests, acknowledging work of

others, data management

Identify the ethical question

Consider options

Action plan

Can you think of any recent examples?

Engineering as a profession

What is a profession?

Three things make something a profession:

1) esoteric or specialized knowledge

2) independence of practitioners, also

known as “self-policing”

3) uses knowledge to serve public

Engineering as a profession

The engineering societies

ASCE 1852

ASME 1880

AIEE 1884

AIChE 1908

IRE 1912

IEEE 1963

Engineering as a profession

How is a engineering as a profession

connected to the engineering societies?

How is engineering as a profession

connected to the government?

Engineering as a profession

How is a engineering as a profession connected to the engineering societies?

How is engineering as a profession connected to the government?

The societies and the government agree

on the powerful public role of engineering.