Ethics in Engineering

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Ethics is the moral behavior that guides our actions; it motivates us in our personal behavior and is relevant in a business setting as well. Many organizations have set forth a set of guidelines known as a “Code of Ethics”. The Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers, being one of these organizations, has set forth their code as a requirement for students and engineer members to adhere to. Heading towards a career in electrical engineering I choose this organization to elaborate on for my ethics project.

In the paragraphs that follow you will be introduced to the Code of Ethics as outlined by IEEE, and what it means to its members. A comprehensive summarization will be provided for each guideline along with examples of how this code has been recently violated. The vast world of technology, as ever-changing as it is, can affect almost everyone in any aspect of life. This being the case it is important that we as students and engineers adhere to the guidelines set forth by the IEEE, and commit to conduct ourselves to act in a professional and ethical manner. While this is the conduct expected to be exemplified by the members of IEEE, many organizations and firms have similar codes to which they too expect their members to follow.

The initial ethical guideline presented in the IEEE Code of Ethics states “to accept responsibility in making decisions consistent with the safety, health and welfare of the public, and to disclose promptly factors that might endanger the public or the environment”. In regards to health, safety and well-being of the public and environment, many would consider this to be the most important rule presented. Professions in electrical and electronic engineering operate in designing electrical syst...

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... punishable up to 18 months in jail along with a $5,000 fine for each of this 6 counts (“Former”). In this case Walker allegedly operated in a fashion similar to the example given above in regarding self-dealing. Whether the work was performed in a manner that complied with all regulations, the act of self-dealing in itself is unethical and lead to the investigation by the OEC.

In conclusion ethics governs everything we do, and every aspect we operate in. When ethics are violated in business the effects continue to run downhill and are absorbed by the consumer. The ways in which these are absorbed differ case by case, whether they affect us financially or physically. Memberships into organizations can be beneficial in showing credibility. Acting in regards to the organization or associations code of ethics seems to be a small price to pay for this kind of benefit.

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