ETHICS IN ENGINEERING

ANNAMALAI UNIVERSITY
DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
FACULTY OF ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY

Program : B.E Mechanical Engineering.
Semester : VIII Semester.
Year : Final Year.
Subject : Ethics In Engineering.
Conceptualized and planned by: N.Karunakaran.

UNIT I LESSON PLAN

Lecture title: Introduction to Engineering Ethics.

Hours: 2 Hours.

I. Objective of the Lecture:
To make the students conversant with the terms and concepts encompassing moral, ethics, customs, affectation of various civilizations and religions on morality values and beliefs and also the importance and the genesis of Engineering Ethics.

II. Concepts/Key terms:
Moral-ethics-virtue-wisdom- moral relativism-moral issues-inquiries.

III. Major Issues/Core Aspects Addressed:
What it requires to be moral and ethical?-How moral and ethics are imbibed in individuals?-What is Engineering Ethics?-Senses Of Engineering Ethics- Variety of Moral Issues-How and where moral issues arise in engineering?-Three types of inquiry to arrive at professional judgments- Engineering Ethics and philosophy.

IV. Test Questions:

i) EssayType:

1) What do you mean by the term moral issues? How and where moral problems arise in engineering?
2) Explain the three types of inquiry which enables one resolve moral problems.

ii) Short Answer Questions:

1) Define moral and ethics.
2) Explain the term normative inquiry.

Lecture title: Need for Engineering Ethics

Hours: 3 Hours.

I. Objective of the Lecture:

To stress the need for Engineering Ethics. Explain the concepts moral autonomy and moral dilemmas. Elaborate on the two psychological theories on moral development put forth by Lawrence Kohlberg and Carol Gilligan and their perspectives.

II. Concepts/Key terms:

Moral autonomy-moral dilemma-controversy and consensus


III. Major Issues/Core Aspects Addressed:

Moral dilemmas and the steps to confront moral dilemmas- Features Kohlberg’s Theory and Gilligan’s Theory-Contrast between Ethics of Rules and Rights(Kohlberg) and Ethics of Care (Gilligan).

IV. Test Questions:

i) EssayType:

1) What are moral dilemmas? Explain the steps involved in confronting moral dilemmas?
2) Explain in detail Kohlberg’s and Gilligan’s Theory and portray how it differs from one another.

ii) Short Answer Questions:

1) What is moral autonomy?

Lecture title: Professions and Professionalism

Hours: 2 Hour.

I. Objective of the Lecture:

Explain the nuances of becoming a member of a professional community.
Throw light on various stands on professionalism. Also touch upon the roles professionals- i.e. the engineers have to play.

II. Concepts/Key terms:

Profession- professional- professionalism-burn-out.


III. Major Issues/Core Aspects Addressed:

Definition of profession and professionalism- Robert L. Whitelaws’ professionalism as independence and Samuel Florman’s professionalism as serving employers- Professional roles.

IV. Test Questions:

i) EssayType:

1) What do mean by the word profession and what are the membership criteria to become a professional engineer in the United States?
2) Bring forth the salient features of Whitelaw and Florman’s view on professionalism.

ii) Short Answer Questions:

1) Name the various roles the professional engineers need to play.

Lecture title: Moral Reasoning and Ethical Theories

Hours: 4 Hours.

I. Objective of the Lecture:

Make the students aware of classical and contemporary theories on virtues, right action, duty ethics and rights ethics.

II. Concepts/Key terms:

Nicomachean Ethics-Golden mean- Utilitarianism-Prima facie duties-integrity.

III. Major Issues/Core Aspects Addressed:

Various theories about virtues-Act utilitarianism-Rule Utilitarianism-Duty Ethics-Kant and Rawls views about duty ethics- Locke and Meldon’s view about Rights Ethics.


IV. Test Questions:

i) EssayType:

1) Explain Aristotle’s view on Virtue and Golden Mean
2) Comment on Mill’s Act Utilitarianism in contrast to Brandt’s Rule Utilitarianism.
3) Explain in detail Kant and Rawls theory of Duty Ethics.
4) Write in detail the two theories put forth by Locke and Meldon on Rights Ethics.

ii) Short Answer Questions:

1) What is meant by the term Virtue?
2) What do you understand by the term utilitarianism

Lecture title: Moral Reasoning and Ethical Theories(Contd.)

Hours: 1 Hour.

I. Objective of the Lecture:

To make students understand the concepts of responsibility, accountability, integrity, self respect, self interest and ethical egoism, ethical relativism, religion and divine command ethics.


II. Concepts/Key terms:

Self Respect – integrity- accountability- ethical relativism-religion and divine command ethics- resolving moral dilemmas – justifying moral obligations.

III. Major Issues/Core Aspects Addressed:

Self respect in contrast with self esteem-self interest and Ethical Egoism-Customs and Ethical relativism-Resolving Moral Dilemmas-Obligations relating Professional and Ordinary Morality.


IV. Test Questions:

i) EssayType:

1) Explain the concept of Self Respect and how it differs from Self Esteem.
2) What do you mean by the term Ethical Relativism in context with various civilizations and races of the world?
3) Explain in detail the senses of responsibility.
4) How do Ethical Theories in solving moral dilemmas.