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Recipe for Disaster:

Engineering without Ethics

Recipe for Disaster:

Engineering without EthicsDr. C. Dianne Martin

Professor, Computer Science

The George Washington University

diannem@seas.gwu.edu

Dr. C. Dianne Martin

Professor, Computer Science

The George Washington University

diannem@seas.gwu.edu

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Welcome to the Moral High Ground!Welcome to the Moral High Ground!

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Why Ethics in Computer Science?Why Ethics in Computer Science?

IS THAT REALLY HOW THE BIGCOMPANIES FINDYOUNG TALENT, YEAH! BUD?

BOB, I’LL NEVER MAKE A NAME FORMYSELF IN THE HIGH-TECH INDUSTRY!ALL THE BIG COMPUTER NETWORKSHAVE ALREADY BEEN BROKEN INTO!

IT’S THE ONLYPROFESSION WHERE

COMMITTING A FELONYIS CONSIDERED A

CAREER MOVE

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The Cherynobyl Lesson The Cherynobyl Lesson

• This was no accident!• Modern disaster lesson:

–Highly intelligent engineers and scientists

–Advanced technologies

–Unethical decisions

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Ethics Defined Ethics Defined

• Study of human morality

• Determining values in human conduct

• Deciding the “right thing to do” - based upon a set of norms

• In Engineering:– dealing with colleagues

– dealing with clients

– dealing with employees

– dealing with “users’

– dealing with public

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Raise awareness - ethics radar Make decisions – make the right choice Take action – do the right thing Personal integrity and self-respect# 1 element of professional reputation HIGH ETHICS -> HIGH PROFITS

Why Focus on Why Focus on Ethics?Ethics?

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Analysis of an Ethical QuandryAnalysis of an Ethical Quandry

1. Who are the “stakeholders?”

2. What are the KEY statements (clues) in the problem?

3. What are the legal considerations?

4. What are the possible actions to be taken? (generate options)

5. Is there a clearly “right” action to be taken? (evaluate options)

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3 Ethical “What’s”3 Ethical “What’s”

•What? situationWhat? situation

•So What? impactSo What? impact

•Now What? reactionNow What? reactionAwareness Analysis ActionAwareness Analysis Action

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The Ford Pinto CaseThe Ford Pinto Case

During crash tests which proceededthe introduction of the Pinto to thepublic, it became evident that there was a serious design flaw. The gas tank was so designed that when it was involvedin a rear end collision at an impact speedof 20 MPH or greater, the tank was apt to rupture, causing a fire and explosion. The tank was only 5’ forward of the rear sheet metal of thebody and only 3’ from the back rear axle. In most rear-end crashes, theaxle housing deformed the tank and sharp bolts punctured the tank.

Following crash tests, the conclusion was that the rear end structure was not satisfactory. Suggested changes would have cost about $11 per car. A confidential company memo directed that the safety features not be adopted at that time until required by law.

ECONOMICS OR ETHICS ???

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Engineering as an Ethical ProfessionEngineering as an Ethical Profession

• What is a Profession?

– special expertise

– shared moral values

– dependent public

– self-regulation

– promote and protect right actions

• The responsibility to be ethical

• The right to be ethical

• Values embedded in technology

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How to evaluate a code of ethics.How to evaluate a code of ethics.

Will the code of ethics enable an employee to make the right decisions when situations arise?

Will it provide a positive source of public evaluation, enhance reputation, and build public trust?

Will it enable new employees to be effectively socialized into the professional culture, know what’s expected?

Is it specific enough to deter unethical behavior and provide support to the employee who wants to do the right thing?

Can it be used to provide legal protection to employees during litigation?

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So Why Bother With Ethics??So Why Bother With Ethics??

• Special knowledge

• Involved in decision-making

• Engineering pervades society

BOTTOM LINE: Practicing engineers are BOTTOM LINE: Practicing engineers are more apt to get into trouble as a result of more apt to get into trouble as a result of a failure to properly anticipate and handle a failure to properly anticipate and handle ethical problems rather than as a result ofethical problems rather than as a result ofa traditional engineering problems!a traditional engineering problems!

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Results of the Ethics EquationResults of the Ethics EquationResults of the Ethics EquationResults of the Ethics Equation

• Quality products

• Conservation of resources

• Pride in work

• Public safety

• Timeliness

• GOOD BUSINESS

• Shoddy products

• Waste, fraud, greed

• Abuse of expertise

• Guilt, fear

• Lack of safety

• Cutting corners– poor design

– rushed testing

• DISASTERS!

ETHICAL BEHAVIOR UNETHICAL BEHAVIORETHICAL BEHAVIOR UNETHICAL BEHAVIOR

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Ethics will be THE issue of the 21st CenturyEthics will be THE issue of the 21st Century

• Modern recipe for disaster:–Highly intelligent engineers and scientists

–Advanced technologies

–Unethical decisions

• Remember Cherynobyl, Challenger, Pinto, Robert Morris computer virus, Mars lander.....

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Thanks for your attention!Thanks for your attention!

QUESTIONS??

Dr. C. Dianne Martin

Professor, Computer Science

The George Washington University

diannem@seas.gwu.edu