Engineering Ethics

Engineering Ethics is the application of philosophical and moral systems to the proper judgment and behavior by engineers in conducting their work, including the products and systems they design and the consulting services they provide. In light of the work environment that inspired the new Sarbanes/Oxley federal legislation on whistle-blowing protections, a clear understanding of Engineering Ethics is needed like never before. Beginning with a concise overview of various approaches to engineering ethics, the real heart of the book will be some 13 detailed case studies, delving into the history behind each one, the official outcome and the real story behind what happened. Using a consistent format and organization for each onegiving background, historical summary, news media effects, outcome and interpretation - these case histories will be used to clearly illustrate the ethics issues at play and what should or should not have been done by the engineers, scientists and managers involved in each instance. This title covers importance and practical benefits of systematic ethical behavior in any engineering work environment. It is the only book to explain implications of the Sarbanes/Oxley Whistle-Blowing federal legislation. 13 actual case histories, plus 10 additional anonymous case histories-in consistent format-will clearly demonstrate the relevance of ethics in the outcomes of each one. It offers actual investigative reports, with evidentiary material, legal proceedings, outcome and follow-up analysis. The appendix offers copies of the National Society of Professional Engineers, Code of Ethics for Engineers and the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers Code of Ethics.