ENGINEERING ETHICS

Engineers design many products and provide

many services that affect our quality of life
and safety. They supervise the construction
of buildings, dams, highways, bridges, mass
transit systems, and power plants. Engineers
must perform under a certain standard of
professional behavior which requires
adherence to the highest principles of
ethical conduct.
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 A discipline that deals with moral duty and obligation

 Principles of conduct governing an individual or a
group
 A guiding philosophy
Ethics refers to the study of morality and the moral choices that we all have to make in our lives.
Professional societies, such as medical and engineering, have long established guidelines, standards, and
rules that govern the conduct of their members. These rules are also used by the members of the board
of ethics of the professional organization to interpret ethical dilemmas that are submitted by a
complainant
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There is no room for mistakes or

dishonesty in engineering! Mistakes

made by engineers could cost

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Not only money but also more importantly lives

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If an unethical engineer in order to

save money designs a bridge or a part
for an airplane that does not meet the
safety requirements, hundreds of
people’s lives are at risk!
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As you can see, people rely quite heavily on engineers to provide them with safe and
reliable goods and services. There is no room for mistakes or dishonesty in
engineering! Mistakes made by engineers could cost not only money but also more
importantly lives. Think about the following: An incompetent and unethical surgeon
could cause at most the death of one person at one time (when a pregnant woman dies
on the operating table, two deaths may result), whereas an incompetent and unethical
engineer could cause the deaths of hundreds of people at one time. If an unethical
engineer in order to save money designs a bridge or a part for an airplane that does not
meet the safety requirements, hundreds of people’s lives are at risk!
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The National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE) ethics code is very detailed. The
NSPE ethical code of conduct is used in making judgments about engineering ethic-related
cases that are brought before the NSPE’s Board of Ethics Review. The NSPE ethical code
of conduct follows.

Engineering is an important and learned profession. As members of this profession,

engineers are expected to exhibit the highest standards of honesty and integrity.
Engineering has a direct and vital impact on the quality of life for all people. Accordingly,
the services provided by engineers require honesty, impartiality, fairness and equity, and
must be dedicated to the protection of the public health, safety and welfare. Engineers
must perform under a standard of professional behavior which requires adherence to the
highest principles of ethical conduct.
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Fundamental Canons

Hold paramount the

safety, health and

welfare of the public.

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Fundamental Canons

Perform services only in areas of their competence

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Fundamental Canons
Issue public statements only in an
objective and truthful manner.
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Fundamental Canons

Act for each employer or client as faithful agents or trustees.

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Fundamental Canons

Avoid deceptive acts.

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Fundamental Canons

Conduct themselves honorably,

responsibly, ethically, and lawfully

so as to enhance the honor,

reputation and usefulness of the

profession.
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Fundamental Canons
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Engineer’s Creed
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Engineer’s Creed
The engineer’s creed, which was adopted by NSPE in 1954, is a statement of belief,
similar to the Hippocratic oath taken by medical practitioners. It was developed to
state the engineering philosophy of service in a brief way. The NSPE engineer’s
creed is :
 To give the utmost of performance
 To participate in none but honest enterprise
 To live and work according to the laws of man and the highest standards of
professional conduct; and
 To place
 service before profit,
 the honor and standing of the profession before personal advantage, and
 the public welfare above all other considerations.
In humility and with need for Divine guidance, I make this pledge.