Ethics in Engineering

Examines ethics and the duty of professional engineers to public needs.

Articles 1 and 2 of “Code of Ethics” state that meeting “public needs” and “public welfare” is a duty of professional engineers. The Articles make a clear distinction between commitments to technical precision and moral or social duty. A number of sub-tenets of the Articles aim to ensure that an engineer conforms to the Articles. However, the “Code” is not legally enforceable and therefore can be breached. Additionally, commitment to the public welfare of an individual practitioner could be compromised due to externalities.