Theories Of Meritorious And Intrinsic Respect

Engineers and computer scientist live by a code of ethics in which they are required to uphold. In almost every code of ethics it is stated that each engineer/computer scientist must uphold the safety, health & welfare of the public which is paramount. So, if we consider the Respect for Persons theory. There is without a doubt an ethical responsibility for engineers/computer scientist that must be addressed over the disparity that exposes environmental toxicants distributed un-equally among the population. In the theory of Respect for Persons it discusses that a person has a moral duty to uphold simply because it is one’s duty. Within the theory of Respect for Persons it talks about two different types of respect Meritorious & Intrinsic Respect.

Basically Intrinsic Respect is the concept how we view a person worth of respect by considering some innate characteristics.(Smith et al. 33) Within Intrinsic respect one way we define a person worthy of respect is how we view sentience. Sentience means to experience pain & pleasure. One can say that almost everyone has some experience with pain & pleasure. One might consider well why is there such a disparity. In traditional Utilitarianism the goal is to maximize the good even if it means to sacrifice the few for the sake of a greater number. (Smith et al. 34) In this instant we can say this is a flawed solution that is presented by doing this we are failing the public in every aspect as engineers/ computer scientists to uphold their safety, health and welfare. For example, in an article that was published by the article about the air pollution of Southern Camden, New Jersey and how it is strongly affecting the students health and welfare due to the schools being placed near or on top of contaminated or toxic locations.(theguardian.com, Milman) There should never be a