Engineering Ethics
Engineers, like any other profession, are required to demonstrate the highest standards of ethics. Honesty, equity, impartiality, and integrity are some of the ethical values that engineers should possess. Gerald Wahr was opposed to use of pesticides in farming because his father, Hans Wahr, was an anti-pesticide advocate. His life changed suddenly when his father fell sick and he had to get a job to save the farm. He was invited for an interview at Pro-Growth Pesticides, Inc. that specializes in pesticides for farming. His dilemma lies between working for a company that he does not believe in to make ends meet, and choosing to look for another job in the tough job market. Gerald had to find a balance between his ethics as an engineering professional or his personal problems.
Gerald had to choose between following his father’s footsteps and saving his family’s farm. Studying Chemical Engineering in school did not change his preference for organic farming. Pro-Growth Pesticides, Inc. offered him a chance to work in the company by inviting him for an interview. The fact that he went for the interview signifies that he was conflicted. He knew that it was vital to his family that he got the job but he would be going against his father’s beliefs, which trickled down to him. As an engineer, he should be guided by the National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE) Code of Ethics. The code states that engineers should perform under the highest standard of professionalism, and adhere to the ethical conduct of the profession (NSPE). He should be honest with himself and the pesticide company and decline the job, if or when it would be offered. His family needed his help in settling their bills, but the code of ethics should take precedence in his decision.
Gerald faces two conflicting and competing scenarios. He is obligated to assist his family members with their financial crisis. He is also mandated to respect the values of the profession and meet his professional obligations. On one hand, his father is critically ill and unable to provide for his kin; his parents have defaulted on their mortgage payments due to the accumulating medical bills. On the other hand, he did not apply for jobs while he was in school because he knew that he would graduate then join his parents in the farm. The situation has since changed and he has to adjust to his new normal. Between his obligation to his family and his profession, Gerald has a difficult decision to make. Ultimately, the engineering profession is controlled by a code of ethics that engineers have to abide by; Gerald has to find another source of income to support his family while maintaining his integrity.
The costs of rejecting the job interview outweigh the benefits. Gerald Wahr could easily ignore his principles and look after his family. However, the fundamental canons of the code of ethics states that engineers should conduct themselves with honour and responsibility to maintain the prestige of the profession (NSPE). Gerald has responsibility to his family and his noble profession; he has to choose between his love for his family and career as an engineer. If he rejects the job interview, he stands the chance of getting an offer from another company, but if he accepts the interview, his family members will get the help they desperately need. Ultimately, he risks losing his principles, values, and respect for the engineering profession.
Ethical theories and humanitarian principles are regarded as the foundation of the engineering profession. They guide engineers while they conduct their duties. Ethical theories are divided into utilitarian ethics, deontological ethics, and virtue ethics. Utilitarian ethics relate to the greater good for the majority. They are applied when making a decision that will benefit the larger majority (Page Centre Training). The decision-maker, however, does not know the outcome of the decision; also, the minority suffer at the expense of the majority. Deontological ethics refers to equal treatment of different people hence every person should be conversant with his or her duty (Page Centre Training). However, decision-making is accompanied by disagreements and conflicts. Virtue ethics consider the virtues of noble engineers (Page Centre Training). Decision-making is based on these virtues hence it disregards the clients. Gerald has to apply the utilitarian ethics while making the decision to either go for the interview and support his family once he gets the job, or apply for a job elsewhere, while maintaining the integrity of the engineering profession.
Gerald has an array of ethical virtues and theories to choose from while making his decision. For instance, he could apply the Kantian ethics. The Kant’s theory is part of deontological ethics, which believes that the rightness and wrongness of a situation is not dependent on the consequences reaped from the occurrence (California State University). Ultimately, an individual is expected to fulfil his or her duty without thinking of the consequences. The Kantian ethics are the opposite of utilitarianism, where the greater good takes precedence. If Gerald follows the Kantian ethics, the decision would be different, depending on the route he chooses to follow. If he decides to attend the interview and eventually get the job, he would be in a position to help his family. However, if he chooses to put his principles and values at the fore-front, he would be fulfilling his duty as an engineer, thereby upholding the integrity of the profession.
Intuitionism, on the other hand, relates to proper analysis of the situation and making viable and moral judgements in an ordinary manner. Intuition assists with the unearthing of moral judgements (BBC). Intuitionism considers several factors. For instance, there are truths that are considered separate from human beings, human beings are capable of discovering these truths by using their minds intuitively, and these truths cannot be fragmented (BBC). Intuition has different results for different people, hence it should not be relied on. If Gerald puts his intuition to the test while making this decision, he is likely to opt for looking for another job opportunity and maintain his respect.
The Aristotelian virtue is similar to the virtue ethics. They believe that ethics need to be nurtured so that they gain stability. A virtuous person does not use his or her traits because it is a duty or for favours; it is a character that has manifested over a long period. However, the Aristotelian virtue is self-centred because it does not consider how the actions will affect other people. If Gerald exercises the Aristotelian virtue, he would be thinking of himself and disregarding the thoughts and feelings of other people. If he decides to take care of his family, he would be disregarding his principles. However, if he upholds his principles and chooses to respect his profession, his family might suffer at his expense. The Aristotelian virtue would not be a perfect fit for Gerald.
The principles of autonomy, goodness, honesty, justice, and value of life are the basis of the engineering profession. They involve sustainable development, avoiding practice that may deceive the public, protecting the environment for the current and future generations, while maintaining the value of life. Gerald did not intend on replacing his view of organic farming with pesticide farming to get a job. If a question is posed to him regarding his disproval of use of pesticides in farming, he should be honest and answer truthfully. The integrity of the profession should be applied with impartiality and equity, together with honesty and justice.
I have been in Gerald’s position before, where I had to choose between the greater good and sustainability. I applied for a job in an organization that is notoriously known for undertaking assignments that they are not experienced in. They have faced several law suits for affixing their signatures on plans that do not belong to them. I desperately needed a job at the time because I had a few debts to take care of and I was behind in my mortgage payments. I had to choose between my personal respect and honesty, and the intensity of my problems. In conclusion, I did not attend the interview and I chose to apply for a job elsewhere because I had to respect my profession and the code of ethics.
Works Cited
BBC. ‘’Intuitionism.’’ BBC, BBC. www.bbc.co.uk/ethics/introduction/intuitionism_1.shtml
California State University. ‘’Kantian Ethics.’’ CSUS, CSUS. www.csus.edu/indiv/g/gaskilld/ethics/kantian%20ethics.htm
NSPE. ‘’Code of Ethics.’’ NSPE, NSPE. www.nspe.org/resources/ethics/code-ethics
Page Centre Training. ‘’Ethical Theories.’’ Page Centre Training, Page Centre Training. pagecentertraining.psu.edu/public-relations-ethics/introduction-to-public-relations- ethics/lesson-1/ethical-theories/