The Code of Ethics of Engineers in the Decision Making - Term Paper Example

Introduction Engineers have the responsibility of considering the code of ethics in their decision making. This is as they go about their day to day activities. They are normally faced with challenges that need thorough considerations of the various options that are available. Among the issues that they have to consider are the engineers themselves, the community, consumers, future generations, animals and the environment. Whenever faced with any problems engineers have to consider the above factors even as they make their decisions. (Benson, 2000) Considerations The best solution is never the best for everyone. Research shows that solutions made in engineering field may be good for some people and at the same time not good for others. In making decisions in engineering industry one has to ensure that they consider the interests of all the stakeholders that may be affected by the solution. This simply means that the engineers have to consider themselves, the community, the environment, the customer, the animals and even the future generations. The only technical part in relation to the decision making is balancing the different considerations. This can easily be carried out through listing the various considerations and then prioritizing them. This is from the first aspect that is of great importance to the last aspect. Through this then a solution is made accordingly. Sometimes the best solution to a problem may not necessarily be the morally best solution. Nevertheless, in engineering ethics, the best solution that is made during a crisis has to ensure that it greatly adheres to the best morals. Research on ethical aspects in engineering profession shows that engineers are not obliged to rely on the organisation’s solutions in decision making. While it is very essential that engineers listen to manages in an organisation, they actually have to do more than that. This means that engineers have to be more active. This is through using their professional knowledge to make the organisation understand some of the issues that the engineers have to consider in decision making and crisis solving. It is therefore very important that engineers also consider other external factors before taking a stand. These include the needs and the wants of other stakeholders that are outside the organisation. This surely has to be carried out even if the entire organisation does not fully recognize the overall importance of this aspect. This issue can be quite challenging on the part of the engineer but he or she has to consider the needs and the wants of the following stakeholders; (Hardin, 2000) The engineers themselves In every decision that is made by engineers, they definitely have to consider their own lives. This is in relation to their safety when working. This is very important as human life is very precious. Any decision that they make has to protect their lives. An option that does not put this aspect in mind has to be considered bad. There times when the engineer’s interest just conflict with those of the organisation. This does not mean that their views should not be considered. (Menditto, 2005) Other employees Other employees in an organisation also have to be considered when making decisions in engineering profession. The reason as to why this has to be done is that there sometimes when the employees’ interests are conflicting with the organisation’s interests. Other employees could include outsourced contractors and engineers from other organisations. The community The community also has needs and wants. These too have to be considered by engineers when they are making decisions. Each community normally has culture that influences its decision making. Engineers in this case have to consider the culture in the community. The culture has to greatly work hand in hand with code of ethics in engineering profession. (Michael, 1998) Other considerations that have to be made in relation to the community include the community’s expectations in terms of corporate social responsibility. For an organisation to prosper in an area, then it has to have good public relations with the community. Any engineering decision that is made should not undermine the people in the community in any way. It should also not work to the community negatively in any way. Consumers This group of people is very essential to an organisation. This is due to the fact that in case they cease to be, then the organisation also comes to an end. Every product that engineers come up with should enhance the life of consumers. This means that decisions that are made by engineers have to consider the overall effect that will be made to consumers. This is in terms of their health and their safety at large. When this occurs it makes an organisation to have a longer life span. Any decision that is made by engineers that does not consider consumers’ safety and needs is not ethical. Future generations It is good for engineers to know that anything that they are enjoying as per now was taken care of by the past generations. That should make engineers to think of future generations as they make important decisions in their field. For instance when company chimneys are very short, this could probably lead to pollution and global warming in the long run. (Michael, 1998) It is good to consider that the future generation consists of future consumers of the organisations’ services and products. It is very important that the overall effects of global warming be evaluated when making decisions in engineering. This includes changes in levels of precipitation, rising in global temperatures, major changes in agricultural yields and retreats in glaciers among others. (Longone, 1978) These changes can adversely affect the lives of future generations. Ethics demands that such people be considered when making essential decisions. It is very clear that there are instances when organisational values and decisions may not take into consideration the impacts of their decisions to future generations. Ethics in engineering profession demand that engineers consider this aspect. Animals There are different animals that are in the society. Some of them are domestic while others are wild animals. The domestic animals include cows, horse, pig, goats, sheep and poultry. Wild animals include rhino, giraffe, gazelle, elephant and lion among others. These animals are very essential in the society. It is very clear that wild animals play a great role in a nation’s economy through tourist attraction. Domestic animals are also taken as food while others help in transportation. This shows that generally, animals are essential to the smooth running of human life. They therefore have to be considered during any decision making. It is good for engineers to ask themselves questions like; how will the decision affect both domestic and wild animals? (Hardin, 2000) Ecosystem This consists of flora (plants) and fauna (animals). It is very essential that whatever decision is made by engineers should not adversely affect the entire ecosystem. There are normally laws that protect the ecosystem from any possible destruction by organisations. Safety and pollution Safety and preventing pollution are some of the aspects that engineers have to consider when making ethical decisions in their professional. The public is very essential when decisions are being made. Nevertheless, this aspect should not take the first priority but rather other considerations have to be made. (Courtois, 2006) Engineers should not only be guided by the law. This is due to the fact that the law may be limited in one way or the other. For instance they don’t just have to avoid pollution to the extent that the law stipulates. They have to go to further extents that the law doesn’t require. They have to be fully guided by the professional code of ethics. A solution that reduces pollution and increases safety is actually the best solution even if it is not the best for the organisation. This may not be the solution that the organisation will choose but nevertheless it is the best. In the case where an organisation won’t like a solution that I consider to be the best for ethical reasons, I would still take that stand and present the best ethical solution. I would not give them any other inferior solution instead. An engineer actually requires a wide range of skills and knowledge. This gives another perspective of what to be an engineer means. (Benson, 2000) Conclusion Engineers have to ensure that they follow the ethical code of practice when making decisions within their profession. There are various issues that they have to consider. They include; the engineers themselves, consumers, other employees, ecosystem, animals and future generation. It is very essential that engineers go beyond the law’s expectations in relation to preventing pollution. Safety and prevention of pollution have to be considered when decisions are being made. The best solution is that which is ethical even if the organisation does not concur with the same. Read More