This document summarizes key points from a lecture on engineering ethics. It discusses moral dilemmas as situations where moral reasons come into conflict. Three types of difficulties in moral dilemmas are identified: vagueness, conflicting reasons, and disagreement. Steps to solve dilemmas are outlined, including identifying moral factors, collecting information, ranking options, generating alternatives, discussing with colleagues, and deciding on a course of action. Moral autonomy is discussed as making independent decisions based on critical reflection rather than passive adoption of conventions. Autonomy differs from authority and the two can coexist with consensus through discussion.
This document summarizes key points from a lecture on engineering ethics. It discusses moral dilemmas as situations where moral reasons come into conflict. Three types of difficulties in moral dilemmas are identified: vagueness, conflicting reasons, and disagreement. Steps to solve dilemmas are outlined, including identifying moral factors, collecting information, ranking options, generating alternatives, discussing with colleagues, and deciding on a course of action. Moral autonomy is discussed as making independent decisions based on critical reflection rather than passive adoption of conventions. Autonomy differs from authority and the two can coexist with consensus through discussion.
This document summarizes key points from a lecture on engineering ethics. It discusses moral dilemmas as situations where moral reasons come into conflict. Three types of difficulties in moral dilemmas are identified: vagueness, conflicting reasons, and disagreement. Steps to solve dilemmas are outlined, including identifying moral factors, collecting information, ranking options, generating alternatives, discussing with colleagues, and deciding on a course of action. Moral autonomy is discussed as making independent decisions based on critical reflection rather than passive adoption of conventions. Autonomy differs from authority and the two can coexist with consensus through discussion.
This document summarizes key points from a lecture on engineering ethics. It discusses moral dilemmas as situations where moral reasons come into conflict. Three types of difficulties in moral dilemmas are identified: vagueness, conflicting reasons, and disagreement. Steps to solve dilemmas are outlined, including identifying moral factors, collecting information, ranking options, generating alternatives, discussing with colleagues, and deciding on a course of action. Moral autonomy is discussed as making independent decisions based on critical reflection rather than passive adoption of conventions. Autonomy differs from authority and the two can coexist with consensus through discussion.
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Lecture 9
9.2.2022
PROFESSIONAL ETHICS Senses of ‘Engineering Ethics’ Variety of moral issues Types of inquiry Moral dilemmas Moral autonomy
Course Code: 316
BTech Final year Course Instructor: Dr. A. Suneetha Rajesham Engineering Ethics - Moral Dilemmas Dilemmas are situations in which moral reasons come into conflict, or in which the application of moral values are problems, and one is not clear of the immediate choice or solution of the problems Moral reasons could be rights, duties, goods or obligations. These situations do not mean that things had gone wrong, but they only indicate the presence of moral complexity. This makes the decision making complex. For example: A person promised to meet a friend and dine, but he has to help his uncle who is involved in an accident — one has to fix the priority. Moral Dilemmas There are some difficulties in arriving at the solution to the problems, in dilemma. The three complex situations leading to moral dilemmas are: 1. The problem of vagueness: One is unable to distinguish between good and bad (right or wrong) principle. Good means an action that is obligatory. For example, code of ethics specifies that one should obey the laws and follow standards. Refuse bribe or accept the gift, and maintain confidentiality 2. The problem of conflicting reasons: One is unable to choose between two good moral solutions. One has to fix priority, through knowledge or value system. 3. The problem of disagreement: There may be two or more solutions and none of them mandatory. These solutions may be better or worse in some respects but not in all aspects. One has to interpret, apply different morally acceptable reasons, and analyze and rank the decisions. Select the best suitable, under the existing and the most probable conditions. Steps to Solve Dilemma The logical steps in confronting moral dilemma are: 1. Identification of the moral factors and reasons: The clarity to identify the relevant moral values from among duties, rights, goods and obligations is obtained (conceptual inquiry). The most useful resource in identifying dilemmas in engineering is the professional codes of ethics, as interpreted by the professional experience. Another resource is talking with colleagues who can focus or narrow down the choice of values. 2. Collection of all information: data, and facts (factual inquiry) relevant to the situation 3. Rank the moral options: Prioritize the options Obligatory, acceptable, not acceptable, Consequences: damaging, and most damaging etc. For example, in fulfilling responsibility, the codes give prime importance to public safety and protection of the environment, as compared to the individuals or the employers (conceptual inquiry). 4. Generate alternate courses of action to resolve the dilemma. Write down the main options and sub-options as a matrix or decision tree to ensure that all options are included 5. Discuss with colleagues and obtain their perspectives, priorities, and suggestions on various alternatives 6. Decide upon a final course of action, based on priority fixed or assumed. If there is no ideal solution, we arrive at a partially satisfactory or ‘satisficing’ solution Moral Autonomy Moral Autonomy is the philosophy which is self- governing or self-determining, i.e., acting independently without the influence or distortion of others. The moral autonomy relates to the individual ideas whether right or wrong conduct which is independent of ethical issues. Moral Autonomy
Moral autonomy is the decisions and actions exercised on the
basis of moral concern for other people and recognition of good moral reasons. Alternatively, moral autonomy means ‘self determinant or independent’. The autonomous people hold moral beliefs and attitudes based on their critical reflection rather than on passive adoption of the conventions of the society or profession. Moral autonomy may also be defined as a skill and habit of thinking rationally about the ethical issues, on the basis of moral concern The engineering skills related to moral autonomy are listed as follows:
1. Proficiency in recognizing moral problems in engineering and ability to distinguish
as well as relate them to problems in law, economics, and religion 2. Skill in comprehending, clarifying, and critically-assessing arguments on different aspects of moral issues 3. Ability to form consistent and comprehensive view points based on facts 4. Awareness of alternate responses to the issues and creative solutions for practical difficulties 5. Sensitivity to genuine difficulties and subtleties, including willingness to undergo and tolerate some uncertainty while making decisions 6. Using rational dialogue in resolving moral conflicts and developing tolerance of different perspectives among morally reasonable people 7. Maintaining moral integrity Autonomy, which is the independence in making decisions and actions, is different from authority. Authority provides freedom for action, specified within limits, depending on the situation. Moral autonomy and respect for authority can coexist. They are not against each other. If the authority of the engineer and the moral autonomy of the operator are in conflict, a consensus is obtained by the two, upon discussion and mutual understanding of their limits THANK YOU Dr. A. Suneetha Rajesham. PhD.(Psy), MPhil(Psy); PGDPsyclCoun; PGDNut&Dietetics, Reiki IIIA
