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Ethics in Engineering
Senior Design
Electrical and Computer Engineering
October 20, 2023
San Diego State University
Introduction
1. About Me
2. What are Ethics?
3. Why do Engineers Need Ethics?
4. What are Sources of Ethical Duties?
5. What are Engineers Ethical Duties?
6. Examples of Historic Ethical Issues
7. What are the Consequences of Unethical Decisions or Practices?
8. Additional Resources
9. Questions?
About Me – Andrew B. Dorr, Esq.
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University of Washington
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University of San Diego School of Law
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Juris Doctor
Cum Laude
Moot Court, Mock Trial, Journal of
Climate and Energy Law
Licensed Attorney
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Bachelors of Arts
Philosophy (Honors)
Political Science
NPDA Debate Team
California State Bar No. 317546
Horton Oberrecht & Kirkpatrick
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Associate Attorney
What are
Ethics?
What are Ethics?
● Study of Competing Concepts of Right and Wrong
● Focuses on Duties and Obligations to Each Other
● What Values and Ideals should be Prioritized?
What are Ethics?
● Virtue Ethics
○ Ancient Greeks – Socrates and Aristotle
○ Emphasize Good Character
○ What are the Ideal Values in Society?
● Utilitarianism/Consequentialism
○ What will Accomplish the Greatest Good for the
Greatest Number of People
○ Can we Sacrifice One Person for the Benefit of Many?
What are Ethics?
● Deontology
○ Strict Moral Rules
○ What Acts are Required, Forbidden, or Permitted
○ Categorical Obligations
■ Do not Commit Evil Acts
Why Do
Engineers
Need Ethics?
Why Do Engineers Need Ethics?
● Reliance on Engineers
○ People Rely on Engineers to Create Safe and
Reliable Products
○ Poorly Designed or Manufactured Products are
Dangerous
○ Risk of Injury or Death
○ Engineers also have skills that can be used to create
dangerous, harmful, or even malicious inventions
Why Do Engineers Need Ethics?
● Ethics Make Engineers More Effective
○ Engineering Problems are Complicated
○ Decisions Affect Business Outcomes
○ Balancing Factors will Lead to Optimal Results
Why Do Engineers Need Ethics?
● Maintain the Trust and Reputation of the Profession
○ Specialized Skills and Knowledge
○ Advanced Training and Licensing Requirements
○ Respect of the Community and Consumers
Why Do Engineers Need Ethics?
● Your Reputation is the Most Important Thing You Have
○ Takes Years to Develop – Minutes to Destroy
○ Never Let Your Peers Lose Respect for You
○ You Never Know When Your Name Might Come Up
in a Room You are not in.
Sources of
Engineers’
Ethical Duties
Sources of Engineers’ Ethical Duties
● Model Engineering Codes of Ethics
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National Society of Professional Engineers
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
● Law
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Business and Professions Code §§ 6700 et. seq.
Intellectual Property
Trade Secrets
Negligence and Products Liability
● Subjective Conscious
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What do you feel is right and wrong?
● Company Codes of Ethics
What are
Engineers’
Ethical Duties?
Duties to the Public
● To create products that are safe and sustainable according to established
standards.
● To avoid creating products that harm others, violate laws, or endanger the
public or the environment.
Duties to the Public
● If You See Something – Say Something
● This may require you to question supervisors or managers
● The best way to allow yourself to do this is to build relationships with trusted
mentors
Duty of Competence
● To seek and accept criticism of technical work in order to create the best
possible product.
● To maintain skills and educate yourself on technical developments in order to
create the best possible product.
● To only accept and perform assignments for which you are qualified or have
appropriate supervision.
Duty of Candor
● Acknowledge and be truthful regarding Errors when they occur.
● Acknowledge and be truthful regarding the limits of your designs and
products.
● Do not misrepresent your qualifications to perform projects
● Do not allow pressure from Supervisors or Management to cause you to
distort technical facts to the public, regulatory bodies, or clients/shareholders.
Duty of Loyalty
● Prioritize the Best Interests of your Clients over your own Personal Gain
● Avoid both Real and Perceived Conflicts of Interests
● These Rules Can Continue to Apply After You Leave a Project.
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Do not use Information or Technology You have Developed Against a Former Client or
Employer
Duty of Confidentiality
● Do Not Reveal Confidential Client Information without Client Consent.
● Do Not Promote or Arrange New Employment Based on “Particular
and Specialized Knowledge” without Client Consent
Duties to the Profession
● Support Colleagues in their Own Ethical Practice of Engineering Whenever
Possible.
● Do not Spread Malicious Lies or Rumors Regarding Colleagues.
● Report Suspected Unethical Behavior to Appropriate Authorities.
● Do not Retaliate Against Others that Report Violations
Duty to Avoid Discrimination
● Treat All Persons Fairly and with Respect, regardless of characteristics such
as race, religion, gender, disability, age, national origin, sexual orientation,
gender identity, or gender expression
● Do not Engage in Harassment of Any Kind Including Bullying or Sexual
Harassment
Examples of
Historic Ethical
Issues
Space Shuttle Challenger – January 28, 1986
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The Space Shuttle Challenger exploded
73 seconds in to its flight, killing all seven
on-board
Engineers expressed concern about the
effect low temperatures could have on Orings the night before the launch.
Management from Morton Thiokol
recommended launching anyways
The record-low temperatures of the launch
had stiffened the rubber O-rings, reducing
their ability to seal the joints. The seals
breached, causing the explosion.
Bhopal Disaster – December 2, 1984
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Union Carbide Corporation factory in India
producing carbaryl.
Used Methyl Icocyanate as an
Intermediate to save money.
The chemical leaked into surrounding
areas, killing thousands.
Cut Safety Equipment to Reduce Costs
Inadequate/Non-Functional Equipment
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MIC Alarms had been broken for four
years
Safety Audits every two years instead of
every year
Oppenheimer and the Atomic Bomb
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Lead the Manhattan Project from May
1942 until November 1945.
Developed the First Atomic Bomb,
Detonated at the Trinity Site in New
Mexico on July 16, 1945.
Atomic Bombs in Hiroshima and Nagasaki
are Estimated to have Killed between
129,000 and 226,000 people – Mostly
Civilians
Atomic Bombs in Hiroshima and Nagasaki
are Credited with Obtaining Japanese
Surrender that Ended World War II
Artificial Intelligence
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The IEEE has already taken an interest in
the ethical issues surrounding AI
● In January 2023, they announced”
“availability of a program that provides free
access to global socio-technical standards
in AI Ethics and Governance that provide
guidance and considerations towards
trustworthy AI.”
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How can you ethically use AI as an
electrical engineer?
Apple v. Rivos – No. 5:22-cv-02637.
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Pending Litigation in the Northern District
of California Federal Court
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Apple alleges that Rivos poached
engineers to work on competing “systemon-chip” technology and at least two
engineers brought gigabytes of
confidential information with them.
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Last month, Rivos counter-sued Apple,
claiming they force employees to sign
overbroad non-compete agreements.
What are the
Consequences of
Unethical
Practice?
Business and Professions Code
● Section 6775 – Allows the Board of Professional Engineers to investigate
unethical behavior, including crimes related to practice, and issue reprimand
● Sectio 6787 – Makes it a Misdemeanor to Falsely Hold Yourself Out as a
Professional Engineer
Civil Liability
● Breach of Confidentiality Lawsuit?
● Disclosure of Trade Secrets Lawsuit? – Civil Code section 3426.1
○ “Trade secret” means information, including a formula, pattern,
compilation, program, device, method, technique, or process, that:
■ (1) Derives independent economic value, actual or potential,
from not being generally known to the public or to other persons
who can obtain economic value from its disclosure or use; and
■ (2) Is the subject of efforts that are reasonable under the
circumstances to maintain its secrecy.
Civil Liability
● Negligence – Failure to use Reasonable Care
● Strict Liability – Product Liability
● Intellectual Property Lawsuit?
○ Patent Infringement
DAMAGE TO YOUR REPUTATION AND
CREDIBILITY
Additional
Resources
Additional Resources
● NSPE Board of Ethical Review Cases
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https://www.nspe.org/resources/ethics/ethics-resources/board-ethical-review-cases
● IEEE Ethics Resources and Organizations
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https://www.ieee.org/about/ethics/index.html
● Other Engineering Discipline Ethical Codes
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Chemical Engineers
Mechanical Engineer
Civil Engineers
● Order of the Engineer
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Questions?
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