Ethics

Now a requirement that

ethics are taught on a
degree course
 Why has this come about?
•
Employers are becoming increasingly worried
that :
•
Graduates are coming into the profession no
longer have an implicit understanding of the
principles outlined in the codes of conduct
•
Do not behave in a way that is consistent with
the company or organisation’s wishes.

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 A growing concern
•
Philippa Foster Black, Director of the Institute of Business
Ethics has said:
•
“ Companies can no longer rely on new entrants into the
workforce knowing how to demonstrate implicit behaviour
and behave as the company or organisation would wish”

•
The need for explicit understanding is underlined by looking
at the many examples of corporate failure where
oftentimes it is due to the unacceptable behaviour (for
whatever reason, usually greed) that has led to the
company’s loss of reputation or ultimately, as say in Barings
or Enron, its collapse”
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 Therefore business wants :
•
Rosalind Scott, Business Conduct Senior
Manager at Price Waterhouse Coopers has
said

•
“Following several well publicised corporate
collapses, it is now self-evident that any firm
must adhere to ethical guidelines to help
protect its reputation. A business will want to
recruit graduates who have a base level
understanding of ethical standards”. 4
 What is meant by ethics?
•
a)The Oxford English Dictionary defines ethics as ‘moral
principles that govern a person’s behaviour or how an
activity is conducted’
•
b)The Collins Concise Dictionary as:
The philosophical study of the moral value of human
conduct and the rules and principles that ought to
govern it
•
c)A code of behaviour considered correct, especially that
of a particular group, profession or individual
•
d)The moral fitness of a decision, course of action etc.’
•
Q: Compare similarities / opposites in above a) and b)

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 Ethics
•
There are numerous philosophical theories
developed over thousands of years, by
philosophers in order to justify moral
principles and rules
•
These theories broadly fall into three groups

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 Deontilogical or rule based ethics

•
Principal rationale of rule based ethics is the
consideration of the fairness or justice of the
action taking precedence over the
consequences of the action
•
Can be sub-divided into absolute and
conditional rules

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 A) Absolute theories
•
Suggests there are minimum moral rights and
duties that all humans should observe,
regardless of the consequences
•
Everyone should be treated as free and equal
as everyone else
•
Everyone has a right to such treatment and
must treat others in the same way
( Kant’s Categorical Imperative)

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 Categorical Imperative
•
Kant believed the ability to tell right from
wrong was innate(inborn, inherent)
•
Moral law has the same validity as physical
laws
•
It applies to all people in all societies at all
times

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 It states:
•
It states: act in such a way that you always
treat humanity, whether in your own person
or in the person of any other ,never simply as
a means, but always at the same time as an
end.
•
Very like the golden rule ‘ do to others as you
would want them to do to you’.

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 B) Conditional theories
•
These recognise there is the need to break the
absolute rules in certain circumstances.

•
a) Principally when adherence to the rule may
not give justice.
•
Or
•
b) result in negative consequences.
•
Q: Compare the similarities / differences in absolute
theroies and conditional theories.
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 Application of absolute and conditional
rules

•
Application of absolute and conditional rules
allow for the consideration of rights and
justice while avoiding on the narrow focus of
means and outcomes

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 Utilitarian ethics
•
This shifts the focus from the fairness and justice of
an action (rule based) to the consequences of an
action

•
Essentially, it requires the outcome to present the
greatest benefit to the greatest number, while
observing certain duties in the process

These include: loyalty, gratitude, justice, doing good,

self-improvement and avoiding misconduct
(Godbold,1999) “Q: write about your experience
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 Application of Utilitarian ethics

•
Allows the consideration of means and
outcomes, while avoiding the narrow concept
of absolute rights and justice

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 Social or relative ethics
•
The key principle is to allow a person to make
decisions based on free will
•
Values will depend on prevailing situations
and circumstances
•
It avoids any attempt to impose universal
moral standards
•
Assumes the prevailing culture will find an
acceptable moral and ethical standpoint

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 Codes of Conduct
•
Many of the engineering institutions in the UK
have drawn together ethical and moral
theories into codes of conduct.

•
These are simplistic and set out ideals that
engineers should aspire to.

•
Q:Write down your exposure / experience
with Code of Conduct please.
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 Competence
•
The three main precepts of most professional codes
of conduct are competence, honesty and integrity.
The RIBA (Royal Institute of British Architects) explains the
principle of competence as:

•
In the performance of their work Members shall act
competently, conscientiously and responsibly.
Members must be able to provide the knowledge,
the ability and the financial and technical resources
appropriate for their work.
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 Impartiality
•
Some professional bodies such as the RICS
(Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors) and the RTPI
stress the importance of exercising impartial
professional judgment; this is expressed in
RTPI (Royal Town Planing Institute) Code as follows:

•
Shall fearlessly and impartially exercise their
independent judgment to the best of their skill
and understanding;

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 Professional Standards
•
The ICE (The Institution of Civil Engineers) code states
regarding personal and professional standards
a member should have:
•
Integrity
•
Objectivity and impartiality
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Duty of confidence and care
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Probity and good faith

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 Professional Conduct
•
Not maliciously or recklessly injure the
reputation of others
•
No involvement in bribery/corruption/fraud
•
Independent and impartial as an expert
witness
•
Declare any conflict of interest
•
Treat all persons with respect and without
bias.

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 CIBSE
(Chartered Institute of Building Services Engineers)

•
Members shall:

•
At all times so order their conduct to uphold
the dignity and reputation of their profession
and to safeguard the public interest in matters
relevant to the art, science and practice of
Building Services Engineering

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 Professional Conduct
•
Exercise professional skill and judgment to the
best of their ability
•
Discharge their duties and responsibilities
faithfully
•
Declare any conflict of interest
•
Promote equal opportunities
•
Should not knowingly misrepresent the views
of the Institution

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 Bribery

•
Members should not improperly offer or
accept either directly or indirectly payment or
other inducement to secure work or
employment.

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 Safety
•
In addition most professional bodies highlight
the need for the consideration of others and
the avoidance of discrimination in any form.

•
Safety considerations and the environment
are also addressed in a number of codes of
conduct..

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 ICE

•
This is illustrated by the ICE Rules of
Professional Conduct:

•
All members shall have full regard for the
public interest, particularly in relation to
matters of health and safety, and in relation to
the well-being of future generations.

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 Similarity to CIBSE

•
The Chartered Institute of Building Services
Engineers states:

•
Have due regard to the safety, health and
welfare of themselves, colleagues and the
general public.

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 The environment
•
ICE:
•
All members shall show due regard for the
environment and the sustainable
management of natural resources

•
CIBSE
•
Have due regard to environmental issues in
carrying out their professional duties.

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 Whistle blowing
•
An aspect of ethics that has been a dilemma
to professionals, and has been given a lot of
prominence in the media, is whether it is
justified to ‘whistle blow’?

•
A number of civil servants have gained
notoriety because they have felt the need to
‘leak’ information in the public’s interest

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 Civil Service
•
The Civil Service Code specifically states:

•
Civil servants should not without authority disclose
official information which has been communicated in
confidence within the Administration, or received in
confidence from others.’

•
The code then goes on to that is a civil servant is
required to act in a manner that is unethical or
breaches a professional code then he or she should
report the matter in accordance with their
department’s rules of conduct. 30
 Royal Academy of Engineering
•
The Royal Academy of Engineering has
produced a statement of ethical principles
that resulted from discussions with a number
of engineering institutions and philosophers
specialising in applied ethics.
•
It is intended to be a statement of the values
and principles that guide engineering practice
and the codes of practice of the engineering
institutions involved.
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 Engineering Statement of Ethical
Principles
•
The Statement comprised four fundamental
principles that should guide an engineer :
•
Accuracy and Rigour
•
Honesty and Integrity
•
Respect for Life, Law and the Public Good
•
Responsible Leadership: Listening and
Informing
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