Do Engineers Need A Code of Ethics?

Abstract Do Engineers Need A Code of Ethics? Abstract Most, if not all, professional organizations have a Code of Ethics, Rules of Conduct, Canons of Conduct or some similarly named set of operating rules governing the expected ethical conduct of their membership. In many cases, in the preamble of the documents will be found the word “guidelines”, or words within the document such as “perceived harm” or “where possible”. These words provide the engineer some personal insight into what is intended, not something cast in concrete. In short, the documents are more an ethical environment in which to operate rather than one of moral judgement. The question that arises is, where in the normal curriculum of an engineering degree program is the subject matter of ethics discussed? This paper will suggest areas where the topic of ethics might be introduced, some ethical topics to be covered, and some of the ramifications that the engineer may encounter when faced with a situation calling for an ethical interpretation.