The Place of a Code of Ethics in the Practice of a Profession - Essay Example

?Essay1 INTRODUCTION The essay will primarily consist of the broad practices related to engineering and its various functions. The study will broadlycover all those areas in which proper determination of the concept of engineering will be discussed upon. The roles and responsibilities in relation to the ethical considerations will be analyzed upon and due efforts will be made to understand that whether engineering can be considered to be a profession or not? Furthermore, the essay will strive to identify the importance of ethical responsibilities while performing the vivid tasks of engineering (Davis 150-167). THESIS STATEMENT This paper intends to provide a clear picture regarding engineering and its practices. The paper further strives to comprehend whether engineering can be regarded as a profession or not. Moreover, the paper will also identify the role of ethical responsibilities during the functioning of engineers. IS ENGINEERING A PROFESSION? DO ENGINEERS HAVE SPECIAL ETHICAL RESPONSIBILITIES? Engineering can be concerned with the work and practices that are carried from the part of an engineer. Engineering basically deals with that particular branch of science and technology which is mainly concerned with the use of machines, engines, designing and building of large structures. Engineering is a practice that involves skillful work and requires very deep intellectual knowledge regarding the construction of large structures. They are responsible for planning and designing proper layouts that are widely implemented in the construction activities. Nonetheless, the concerning part of this case would be to analyses, whether engineering can be considered to be a profession or not? Engineering can definitely be considered as a profession. Contextually, it can be argued that engineering is a profession which demands greater responsibility and considerable competencies in order to render the service as a proficient engineer. Besides, it is considered to be as one of the most profitable professions in the current context that generates large amount of profits. It is true that the concept of engineering is defined with broad ethics and principles but the activities concerned with this concept are large enough to generate value for the engineers. It is considered to be a prodigious profession. At the same time, engineering can be considered to be a very challenging profession owing to the reason that the liability of an engineer is relatively high as compared to other professions. An engineer cannot hide his his/her mistakes. Any mistake from his/her part tends to get reflected in his work. For example, if he/she constructs a building that is not up to the mark as per the designed layout an engineer will be held responsible for this poor design. Simultaneously, an engineer cannot blame his/her mistakes on someone else. However, an engineer is also seen to perform in many socializing events and organize different activities. He/she can be considered as a public figure as the profession itself holds him/her in public activities and tends to generate activities related to self-growth. An engineer’s work primarily includes various scopes of achievement and accolades that he/she can achieve with his/her extraordinary efforts. The profession is also considered to be very realistic and relevant as it involves continuous learning and acquiring of skillful insights related to science and technology. Engineering can be considered as a vigorous profession that is concerned with many broad activities that can give a high leap to the career of an engineer (American Society of Civil Engineers, “Code of Ethics”). In order to gain benefits from this profession, an engineer needs to continuously strive on improving his/her skills and perform those functions that can deliver progressive results (Downie 64-65). Ethics are considered to be as one of the most important responsibilities in a profession or a business. Ethics aims at proper performance of the assigned functions and aims for the welfare of the people, society and the overall environment. Contextually, it can be firmly argued that engineers have special ethical responsibilities. Their functions are very broad and are concerned with activities related to development of the society as whole. An engineer’s main priority is to construct large structures as per various industrial and residential requirements among others. It can also be said that that an engineer’s functions can be reflected with the overall infrastructural development of a society. An engineer needs to continuously perform his/her activities that are concerned with the welfare of the human and the overall environment. He/she needs to serve the society by keeping in mind about the general welfare of the society and in a very honest manner. An engineer always performs for the overall benefit of the engineering profession and not for his individual development only. One of the primary ethical responsibilities that an engineer needs to take care is to provide proper safety to the people and the society as whole. He/she needs to make sure that the work does not impact the society and the overall environment in any ways possible. Also, an engineer needs to make sure that assistant engineers who are working under him/her get proper opportunities of professional growth as well. Engineers follow the guiding principles and responsibilities for enabling an appropriate work practice that result in sustainable development of a society. Engineers are considered to be people with great dignity and moral values. They are required to ensure proper public safety and are required to make truthful public statements. Engineers are always bound by broad responsibilities and are expected to fulfill all the responsibilities. Adherence to the ethical responsibilities is essential component for practicing as an engineer (American Society of Civil Engineers, “Code of Ethics”). The ethical responsibilities provide aid to the engineers in following a right path which aims at individual and societal advancement. Based on these understandings, it can be clearly identified that engineers have special ethical responsibilities while performing the numerous tasks associated with overall advancement of a society (Sieghart 117-122). CONCLUSION The above discussion revealed engineering to be one of the promising professions in the modern world. It is a profession that aims at sustainable development of the society and the environment as whole. It can also be related with the overall infrastructural development of community. It has been identified that an engineer’s work consists of increased responsibilities and challenges. Contextually, an engineer is always required to perform duties which are ethically sound and are required to overrule those tasks that risk safety, welfare and health of publics to any possible extent. However, an engineer holds upright position among the mass and his/her statements are widely cherished by the public. Finally, it can be concluded that engineering in the modern era is a prodigious profession which demands greater ethical responsibilities while performing the vivid engineering tasks associated with sustainable development of society and human well-being. Works Cited “Code of Ethics”. Fundamental Canons. American Society of Civil Engineers, 2013. Web. 14 Jul. 2013. Davis, Michael. “Thinking Like an Engineer: The Place of a Code of Ethics in the Practice of a Profession.” Philosophy & Public Affairs 20 (1991): 150-167. Print Downie, R S. “Professional Ethics, June, 1986.” Journal of Medical Ethics 12 (1986): 64-65. Print Sieghart, Paul. “Professions as the Conscience of Society.” Journal of Medical Ethics 11 (1985): 117-122. Print Read More