Name: Swapnil

Suryavanshi
Class: SE-C
Roll no: S213074
Sub: Code of Conduct
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Code of Conduct - Assignment - I

Q1. Define engineering ethics. Discuss the senses in which ‘engineering ethics ’is understood.
Answer :
Engineering ethics is the field of applied ethics that examines and sets the obligations and
responsibilities of engineers towards society, clients, employers, and the profession itself. It
involves understanding moral values, resolving moral issues in engineering, and justifying moral
judgments about engineering practices and decisions.

1. Normative Sense:

◦ In this sense, engineering ethics refers to the set of standards and principles that
guide engineers on what they ought to do in professional practice.

◦ It is about what is right and wrong and includes codes of ethics issued by
professional bodies (e.g., IEEE, ASME).

2. Descriptive Sense:

◦ This refers to the way engineers actually behave and the ethical issues they face in
real life.

◦ It studies the ethical beliefs and practices among engineers, often through surveys,
interviews, or case studies.

3. Conceptual Sense:

◦ It involves clarifying the meaning of key ethical concepts and principles used in
engineering ethics, such as public safety, risk, responsibility, and professionalism.

◦ This helps in understanding the foundations and logic behind ethical decisions in
engineering.

4. Theoretical Sense:

◦ This sense deals with the application of ethical theories (like utilitarianism, duty
ethics, rights theory, etc.) to analyse and resolve engineering dilemmas.
◦ It provides a philosophical foundation for making reasoned ethical decisions.
Q2. Explain moral dilemmas with a suitable real-life example faced by an engineer.

Answer:

A moral dilemma occurs when an engineer faces a situation where there are two or more
conflicting moral choices, and choosing one option may lead to compromising another important
ethical value. The engineer must decide between competing responsibilities, often with no clear
“right” answer.

Background:

• The Space Shuttle Challenger tragically exploded 73 seconds after liftoff, killing all seven
astronauts on board.

• Engineers at Morton Thiokol, the company responsible for the shuttle’s solid rocket boosters,
had warned NASA the night before the launch about the potential failure of the Oring seals
due to unusually cold weather.

Moral Dilemma Faced by Engineers:

• Option 1: Stick to professional integrity and refuse to approve the launch due to known
risks.

• Option 2: Approve the launch under pressure from NASA and management, fearing the
delay and its consequences (financial, political, and professional).

What Happened:

• Despite initial objections, management overruled the engineers ’concerns, and the launch
proceeded.

• The O-ring failed in cold temperatures, leading to the disaster.

Q3. Compare and contrast Kohlberg’s and Gilligan’s theories of moral development.

Answer:

Lawrence Kohlberg and Carol Gilligan are two psychologists who studied how people
develop moral reasoning. While both focused on moral development, they had different
perspectives based on gender, values, and methods.

1. Lawrence Kohlberg’s Theory:

• Focus: Justice, rights, rules, and logical reasoning

• Method: Based on interviews with boys using moral dilemmas (e.g., Heinz dilemma)
• Stages of Moral Development:
Level Stage Description

Pre-conventional 1. Obedience and punishment Avoid punishment

2. Individualism and exchange Self-interest

Conventional 3. Good interpersonal relationships Seeking approval

4. Maintaining social order Law and order

 Post-conventional 5. Social contract Legal rights

6. Universal ethical principles Moral conscience

2. Carol Gilligan’s Theory:

• Focus: Care, relationships, and responsibility

• Method: Critiqued Kohlberg's work as male-centric; conducted studies on women and their
moral reasoning

• Stages of Moral Development:

Three levels with transitions:

Level Description

Orientation to Individual Survival Focus on self and own needs

Goodness as Self-Sacrifice Caring for others even at one’s own expense

Morality of Nonviolence Balancing care for self and others equally

Assignment - II

Q1. Describe the term “Professionalism”. Differentiate between profession and occupation
Solution:
Professionalism refers to the conduct, behavior, and attitude expected of someone in a
professional role. It includes qualities such as competence, responsibility, integrity,
accountability, respect, and adherence to ethical standards in the workplace or profession. It
is not just about having a job, but how you do it—with skill, pride, and responsibility.

Key Features of Professionalism:

• Commitment to excellence and continuous learning

• Ethical and responsible behavior

• Respect for clients, colleagues, and the public

• Adherence to codes of conduct or ethics • Reliability and accountability

Aspect Profession Occupation

Definition
A specialized career requiring Any kind of job or work that earns
advanced education and training a living

Skill Level
High level of expertise, training, and May or may not require specialized
ethical commitment training

Governi
Regulated by professional Usually no formal body
ng Body
organizations (e.g., IEEE, MCI) regulating conduct

Generally no specific code of ethics

Code of Has a formal code of ethics and
Ethics professional conduct

Example Doctors, Engineers, Lawyers, Architects

Shopkeeper, Clerk, Driver,
Factory Worker

Public Yes, professionals often serve public Usually focused on individual benefit
Service interest or business interest
Role

Q2. Discuss the importance of professional ideals and virtues in engineering practice.
Solution:
1. Ensures Public Safety and Welfare:
• Engineers often design systems, structures, and products used by millions.
 • Virtues like responsibility, honesty, and diligence ensure that safety is never compromised
for profit or speed.
2. Builds Trust and Reputation:

• The public, employers, and clients must trust engineers to act ethically.

• Upholding professional ideals like integrity and accountability earns long-term respect
and credibility.
3. Promotes Ethical Decision-Making:

• Engineers face complex problems with moral dimensions (e.g., risk vs. cost).

• Virtues like courage, honesty, and fairness help make just and ethical choices, even under
pressure.

4. Maintains Professional Standards:

• Ideals create a common moral foundation across the profession.

• Encourages consistency, quality, and fairness in engineering work.

5. Encourages Lifelong Learning and Excellence:

• Commitment to excellence motivates engineers to continuously improve their skills and

knowledge.

• Humility and self-awareness promote open-mindedness and growth.

Q3. Write a short note on the role of engineers as responsible experimenters in society.
Solution:
Engineers play a vital role in shaping the modern world through innovation and design. As
responsible experimenters, they must recognize that their work often involves uncertainty,
risk, and real-world consequences—just like a scientist conducting an experiment, but with
human lives and environments at stake. Awareness of Consequences:

• Engineers must understand that their creations (bridges, machines, software, etc.) affect
people’s lives, safety, and well-being.

• They should anticipate possible failures or side effects and take steps to minimize harm.

Moral Responsibility:

• Engineers are morally accountable for the outcomes of their work, not just their intentions. •

They must act ethically even when no one is watching.

Informed Decision-Making:

• Like scientists, engineers must rely on evidence, data, and sound judgment, avoiding
assumptions or shortcuts.

• They should also communicate risks transparently to stakeholders.

Learning from Failure:

 • Mistakes in engineering can be costly. Engineers should treat failures as opportunities to
learn, improve, and redesign with greater responsibility. Commitment to Public Good:

• Engineers must prioritize public safety, environmental protection, and ethical standards
over personal or corporate gain.

Assignment - III

Q1. Define ethical theory. How are ethical theories useful in resolving
engineering ethics problems?

Answer:
An ethical theory is a systematic framework used to understand, analyze, and justify
moral decisions. It provides principles and guidelines that help determine what is morally
right or wrong, good or bad, and how individuals ought to behave in various situations.

Ethical theories form the foundation for making ethical judgments in personal and
professional life—including engineering practice.

1. Provide Structured Decision-Making:

• Ethical theories offer a step-by-step approach to analyze problems.
• They prevent decisions based on emotions or bias, and instead rely on rational evaluation.
2.

Clarify Conflicting Values:

• In engineering, dilemmas often involve conflicting duties (e.g., safety vs. cost, loyalty vs.
honesty).

• Theories help weigh these values and guide toward a balanced choice. 3.

Justify Ethical Actions:

• Engineers may need to defend their decisions to clients, public, or legal bodies. • Ethical

theories provide a moral justification for the actions taken.

4. Promote Consistency:
• By using a common ethical framework, engineers across organizations or countries can make
uniform and fair decision.

5. Support Professional Codes of Ethics:

• Codes from IEEE, NSPE, etc., are often based on ethical theories like duty ethics or
utilitarianism.
 • Understanding the theory helps in interpreting and applying these codes properly.

Q2. Explain the application of Virtue Ethics in daily decisions taken by software
engineers
Solution:

Virtue Ethics focuses on the moral character of the person making the decision, rather than just
the action or its consequences. It asks: What would a virtuous person do? In the context of software
engineering, this means developing and demonstrating good character traits such as honesty,
integrity, responsibility, and fairness in everyday decisions.

Virtue Meaning in Practice

Honesty Being truthful about bugs, deadlines, and capabilities

Integrity Doing the right thing even when no one is watching

Responsibility Owning up to mistakes and fixing them promptly

Fairness Treating all users, clients, and coworkers equally

Prudence Making careful, well-thought-out decisions

Loyalty Being committed to the organization—but not blindly

 Respect Valuing others’ work, privacy, and perspectives

Q3. What are professional codes of ethics? Choose any one professional body (e.g.,
IEEE, ACM) and list their codes of ethics Answer:
Professional Codes of Ethics are formal documents established by professional organizations that
outline the moral principles, values, and standards of conduct expected from members of the
profession. They serve as a guideline for ethical decision-making, help maintain integrity, and
protect the public interest.

Purpose of Codes of Ethics:

• Define acceptable behavior in professional practice

• Promote trust between professionals and society

• Provide a framework for resolving ethical dilemmas

• Uphold the reputation and credibility of the profession

• Encourage self-regulation and professional responsibility

Q4. How can an engineer contribute to sustainable development through ethical
and responsible practices?

Answer:

1. Environmentally Responsible Design:

• Use of green technologies and eco-friendly materials

• Designing products and infrastructure that minimize energy consumption and pollution •

Following principles of Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

2. Ethical Decision-Making:
• Prioritizing long-term environmental and social impacts over short-term profits •

Rejecting projects that harm ecosystems, communities, or human health

3. Resource Optimization:
• Designing systems with efficient use of materials, energy, and water • Promoting

renewable energy sources like solar, wind, and hydro

4. Promoting Social Equity:
• Ensuring inclusive access to technology, clean water, and infrastructure • Designing solutions

for rural, poor, or underrepresented communities

5. Safety and Public Welfare:

• Ensuring that all designs and projects meet safety standards and do not harm society •

Being transparent about risks and actively working to mitigate them .

6. Adopting Circular Economy Principles:

• Creating systems that recycle waste into new products

• Designing products for longer life cycles and easy maintenance.