Ethics and Sustainability Concept in Computer Engineering - Coursework Example

XE121Computer Engineering Concepts Lab4 – Report writing Academic Year 2013/2014 Name: Student ID: Group ID: Course title: Date of submission: Division of Engineering and Product Design School of Computing, Engineering and Mathematics University of Brighton Table of Contents Table of Contents iii Computer Engineering: Ethics and Sustainability Concept Report 4 Abstract 4 1.0.Introduction 6 1.0.Ethical issues 6 2.0.Sustainability 7 3.0.Conclusion 10 4.0.References 11 Computer Engineering: Ethics and Sustainability Concept Report Abstract The engineering disciplines form essential functioning of the contemporary society environment and the economy. As a result there has been a rise on ethical issues which engineers are supposed to observe in order to ensure that engineering practices integrate well with the community and guarantee that sustainability is realized in all engineering practices. This means that there is need to make informed decisions in the profession of engineering. This paper explores the ethical issues to be observed by engineers and sustainability practices in the contemporary engineering. Key words: sustainability and ethical issues. 1.0. Introduction Professional responsibility is a key concept in the discipline of engineering. Ethical issues in engineering are concerned with the individual moral responsibility as pertaining to the special knowledge that has been acquired in engineering training. This means that judgment and care are integral in engineering if desirable product designs outcomes are to be achieved. Adherence to the ethical standards in the engineering profession has been acclaimed as the beginning of sustainability (Davis 2009, pp. 152). According to Davis (2007, p. 53) there are many ethical issues which have been overlooked in the past by engineers. One of the issues is the overconsumption and failure to consider environmental friendly practices. 1.0. Ethical issues 1.1. General overview Ethical issues are the expected standards and code of practices that are supposed to be followed by professional engineers. The ethical issues thus entail the capability of the engineers making sound judgments and application of the engineering knowledge in their practices (Haris & Rabin, 2009). Engineers are charged with design and creation of products that are supposed to be used in diverse areas and environments, this call for prior judgments that put into the consideration the welfare of the public, the user of the product and the profession in general. There are thus codes of ethics that govern the engineers. 1.2. Computer engineering discipline In computer engineering as a discipline engineers should consider take into consideration the safety measures to be used in the software and hardware design, materials used and their relation of final product to the public. The creation of the product should also be aligned to the environmental friendly practices as part of sustainable development. In the contemporary society, computer science has great effect on the lives of human beings. Therefore, engineers should ensure that the computing technology is integrated well with human values in a way that it upholds and protects the human lives (Davis 2009, p. 161). The involvement of the lives raises the bar for strict observation of code of ethics in order to avoid possible conflicts. 1.3. Adherence to ethical issues in computer engineering In order to ensure that ethical issues are adhered to, computer engineers are supposed to work by applying of knowledge attained in the area of specialization, this will ensure competence. According to Schinziger and Martin (2009, p. 111) computer engineers should uphold dignity, integrity and honor of the profession. In the service to the society and public the relationship of the engineers with the clients and other general public should be conducted with high moral considerations. In the computer engineering professional practice engineers are faced with the dilemma on how to approach matter relating to safety and environment and at the same time to achieve economically viable product and efficiency. To avoid the dilemma code of practices have been enacted in the different computer engineering disciplines, these codes and regulations encourage engineers to exercise due diligence which should be applied in all the sphere of practice and integrate the public interest and safety measures. 2.0. Sustainability Sustainability is a broad approach to the development and environmental issues that affect needs of the human beings. The planet earth has been endowed with resources which are used by human beings to meet their needs, there have been concern that if appropriate measures are not taken in relation to conserving the resources and adopting friendly environmental practices, the resources may not sustain the human needs in near future. The core dimensions of sustainability in engineering include the natural resources, the techno-economic systems and the social expectations of the human capital (Honiak 2010, p. 135). The general codes of ethics for computer engineers require them to enhance the reputation of the engineering practice and uphold the prestige and esteem of the discipline. One of the core ways to ensure that engineering profession is held in high esteem is through sustainability practices. Computer engineers are supposed to show leadership by leading in designing and production of products that overcome the global environmental and safety challenges (Davis 2007, p. 52). The practices of the computer engineers should be aimed at securing a future by indulging in practices that conserve the environment and promote safety of lives. 2.1. Achieving sustainability For sustainability to be realised it is upon the engineers to ensure that there is maximization of value in the practices of computer engineering. A computer engineer is supposed to judge and recognise the potential impacts of the work on environment. In addition, computer engineers should recognize the possible impacts of engineering project on the immediate community, global or local. The high ethical dimension gives the computer engineers the role to provide solutions to issues afflicting the community. In order to ensure sustainability, engineers should: Have broad picture of the issue at hand in the daily practice. To be acquainted with the knowledge about sustainable strategies. Identify the key issues that affect the product being designed and its future application. To consider the options those relate to social and environmental outcome that benefits the society and improve environment. Design products that offer solution to sustainability. There are legislations that have been enacted to promote the engineers code of practices and ensure that they work with broad picture of environmental protection. To complement the legislations, computer engineers are supposed to use the knowledge they possess and technical expertise in order to influence sustainability. Computer engineers are also supposed to use resources in an efficient and effective manner; they should carry the responsibility in the creation of services that are useful and with lowest consumption of raw materials, and conserve energy (Honiak 2010, p. 141). Thus at the design phase of a product, computer engineers should ensure that they minimize the possible adverse impacts. Sustainability also entails the adoption of the life cycle assessment in order to incorporate the strategies that will ensure use, re-use (recycling) and environment friendly disposal of the materials used. The sustainability challenges to be addressed by computer engineers should be hinged on inclusiveness. The complexity of the sustainability challenges means that computer engineers should collaborate with other stakeholders. This will ensure recognition of value of the views of other people which will ensure a balanced approach. The computer engineering profession requires the engineers to minimize adverse effects of the products and services to the environment and people. According to Davis (2009, p.166) engineers should use their skills to reduce the possible damage to the people and environment that could be caused by the processes of engineering and or the finished products of engineering. In instances where there lacks conclusive scientific knowledge computer engineers should be cautious and conduct comprehensive risk assessment before commencement of a project. Therefore, for computer engineers to ensure sustainability there should be concerted effort to avoid the adverse environmental and other aspects of the engineering products and services. Computer engineers should endeavor to improve the environment and ensure that the engineering products are of high standards and holistically of quality that improves the value of the human life. These undertakings should also ensure that the economic value of the product is also achieved. 3.0. Conclusion Sustainability and professionalism in which the codes of ethics are adhered to are integral in the discipline of computer engineering. Observing of the ethical issues in computer engineering ensures that the computer engineers collaborate and uphold the discipline of computer engineering in high esteem and prestige. It also ensures that all the computer engineering practices meet the minimum set standards. It is through adherence to ethical issues that the computer engineers are at a position to integrate the sustainability strategies in the computer engineering practice. This ensures that the value and services of computer engineering products promote value of live and ensure that they are economically and environmentally friendly. To ensure adherence to sustainability strategies and high ethical standards, computer engineers are supposed to act diligently and always to scientifically interrogate the decisions they make so as to conform to standards. 4.0. References Davis, M. 2007. Technical designs: time to rethink the engineers’ responsibilities. Business and Professional Ethics Journal, 11(3). Pp. 41-55. Davis, M. 2009. Thinking like an engineer: The place of a code of ethics in the practice of a profession. Philosophy and Public Affairs, 20(2), pp.150–167. Harris, C. E. and Rabins, M. J. 2004. Engineering Ethics: Concepts and Cases. Wadsworth Publishing, pp.132-139 Horniak.V. 2010. Sustainability in engineering practices. London: Routledge, pp. 135-142. Schinziger, R. and Martin, G. 2009. Ethics in Engineering. London: McGraw, pp. 102-124. Read More