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Michael Davis, a leading figure in the study of professional ethics, offers here both a compelling exploration of engineering ethics and a philosophical analysis of engineering as a profession. After putting engineering in historical perspective, Davis turns to the Challenger space shuttle disaster to consider the complex relationship between engineering ideals and contemporary engineering practice. Here, Davis examines how social organization and technical requirements define how engineers should (and presumably do) think. Later chapters test his analysis of engineering judgement and autonomy empirically, engaging a range of social science research including a study of how engineers and managers work together in ten different companies. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

A non-engineer gets to the core of engineering
"Thinking Like an Engineer" is a significant contribution mainly, from my perspective as an engineer, because it can help every engineer appreciate deeper her own work and the engineering community she belongs. "Thinking Like an Engineer" is a contribution both in engineering ethics (by shedding light to codes of professional conduct for engineers) and in the philosophy of engineering. With this book, the philosopher author has set a very high goal: he aims at describing the thinking of an engineer in a way that the engineers themselves will recognize as authentic. The fact that he succeeds admirably in achieving his goal, together with some parts of the book, point to two very important attributes of the author. First, his conviction that the higher calling of philosophy (and philosophers!) is to express deep truths we, the non-philosophers, have not managed to express in words, while at some unspoken level we recognize them as truths. Second, his genuine interest in engineering and engineers, whom he has understood with the incisiveness of a philosopher and the objectivity of an outside observer, for the purpose not of piling publications read among his own colleagues, but of offering something useful to the community of engineers he loves and studies. I include below an excerpt from the preface of the book, which is characteristic of the incisiveness of its author:
Knowledge, though of course part of what makes an engineer, is only a part. At least as important is the way the knower moves (or, at least, is supposed to move) from knowledge to action. That movement from knowledge to action is the "thinking" of my title.

We, engineers, are very lucky to have Michael Davis stumble upon us and decide to stay with us. In the epilogue of his book, Davis puts forward four questions for the social sciences, partly as the obligatory "further research needed", partly as a genuine invitation to them to study engineering and engineers:
What is engineering?
What do engineers do?
How do engineering decisions get made?
What can engineers do? (i.e., what is the measure of the engineer's autonomy?)
I wish and hope that the social scientists who will respond to the invitation will also share Davis's goal of sounding authentic to engineers.
... Read more

Product Description
Fundamentals of Ethics for Scientists and Engineers represents a new approach to introductory ethics that is both practical and accessible. Classical virtue theory is employed to provide a time-tested, simple, and easily remembered basis for ethical reasoning. The text is modularized for easy use in both stand-alone ethics courses and as self-contained units within engineering core courses. It is accompanied by an instructor's manual that includes a comprehensive set of sample lectures and course assignments, detailed homework solutions, and many helpful hints for teaching an ethics course.
To ground the ethical analysis in practical reality, each chapter contains a real-life case together with several fictional cases. The fictional cases breathe renewed vigor into the study of ethics by employing a new learning device: the "ethical serial." Each fictional case can be understood individually, but the cases are also unified by use of a single set of college-aged characters whose personalities are developed throughout the book. These characters mimic real people far more closely than those in other texts and act in situations that are directly familiar to students.
The book is composed of four units. The first two focus on ethical reasoning, outlining within the context of science and engineering the notions of character formation and intention central to virtue theory. To prepare students to handle complex ethical questions, these units extend virtue theory in a readily understandable way, accounting systematically for the consequences that follow an ethical decision. The second two units focus on practical issues such as intellectual property, conflict of interest, whistle blowing, and authorship in scientific publication. These units also treat more advanced topics like risk, resource allocation, conflicting ethical methods, and intuition in ethical decision making. ... Read more

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On occasion, professionals need to use moral reasoning as well as engineering skills to function effectively in their occupation. Eugene Schlossberger has created a practical guide to ethical decision-making for engineers, students, and workers in business and industry.

The Ethical Engineer sets out the tools and materials essential to dealing with whistle-blowing, environmental and safety concerns, bidding, confidentiality, conflict of interest, sales ethics, advertising, employer-employee relations, when to fight a battle, and when to break the rules.

The author offers recommendations and techniques as well as rules, principles, and values that can guide the reader. Lively examples, engaging anecdotes, witty comments, and well-reasoned analysis prove his conviction that "ethics is good business." ... Read more

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What Every Engineer Should Know, Volume 35> Succinctly explains the engineering profession's code of ethics using case studies drawn from decisionsof the National Society of Professional Engineers' (NSPE) Board of Ethical Review. Examines ethical challenges in engineering, construction, and project management. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

A Quick Overview of Engineering Ethics
I found this text while searching for a book to explain engineering ethics for a course at Oklahoma State University. Kenneth Humphreys directs his writing toward engineering students and professionals, much like himself, a licensed professional engineer, to teach them the importance of ethics.He is overly qualified for addressing this topic, as he is the chairman of the Professional Engineers of North Carolina and contributes regularly to the "Ethics Corner" in the magazine, Professional Engineer.This book's technical text is topically organized with each chapter dedicated to a topic and would make a wonderful textbook for an introduction to engineering course.It is also up-to-date, having been published in 1999 and includes many timely examples and case studies which highlight the importance of ethical engineering. The progression of the book is from teaching about engineering ethics, to ways to keep current on engineering ethics topics and encouraging ethical behavior, to the practicing ethics in the various areas of an engineer's profession.Each chapter can stand on its own which makes it great for a quick reference book.

review of What Every Engineer...About Ethics
Outstanding book.I teach engineering ethics and have had about 50 graduate students read this book and write a report describing the contents.All have found it very interesting and valuable. ... Read more

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This text on controlling technology examines issues such as engineers on the spot, codes of engineering ethics, role of engineering societies in ethics, the law, and how to avert conflict at the source. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

good book
this book is very well written, nice flow, meaningful suggestions and very nice analysis of situations in engineering.I read the whole book in a day because it read so smoothly, even to me who has little engineering background.

paperback???
No paperback book should $EVER$ cost 90 bucks!What's wrong with you people??I had to buy this book for school, what bs. ... Read more

Product Description
No one really knows where nanotechnology is leading, what its pursuit will mean, and how it may affect human and other forms of life. Nevertheless, its research and development are moving briskly into that unknown. It has been suggested that rapid movement towards 'who knows where' is endemic to all technological development; that its researchers pursue it for curiosity and enjoyment, without knowing the consequences, believing that their efforts will be beneficial. Further, that the enthusiasm for development comes with no malicious intent but rather from simple ignorance. Contrary to that commonly held perception about the collective pursuit of technological development, there are individual research scientists and engineers who are quite willing to reflect on the meaning of their work in nanotechnology. Nanotalk is a book of conversations and explorations with thirty five such nano-research scientists and engineers who share their ideas, experiences, perceptions, and beliefs about their work, humanity, nature, change, and the future of the world with nanotechnology. Precisely because of the unknowable nature of nanotechnology research and development, conscientious foresight and ethical reflection are warranted every step of the way. Not only do nanotechnology research and development represent enormous financial commitments, but they also require a profound leap of faith regarding its possible outcomes. Using these conversations as the basis of reflection and deliberation, the author explores the possible significance of nanotechnology to humanity and how it might be pursued conscientiously and ethically. ... Read more

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This book examines the problems involved in making engineering decisions that affect the quality of life of large numbers of people worldwide and presents the individual, family, community and global contexts within which the engineer has to make such decisions. Engineering ethics are examined in this context - decisions are not reactive, but involve concepts of duty and responsibility. Engineers need to understand the decisions that they are required to make, and which decisions are likely to produce the most favourable results in the short and longer terms. ... Read more

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Modern society faces two problems: the development of acceptable methods for the introduction of new and powerful tools and the need for a trustworthy, universally applicable ethical system. Part of the problem may be attributed to the lack of a reliable system of ethics that can be brought to bear on the issues of new biotechnology, information technology, and chemical industry. Ethics, Tools, and the Engineer describes and defines the role of the engineer and tools in society. This book gets to the heart of the ethical issues that pertain to living in a rapidly changing world where most changes result from the activity of engineers. It describes what a tool is, the benefits or dangers involved in using tools, and how they are used by engineers today. It also includes laws and guidelines and how our society is dealing with these issues.From the earliest rudimentary tools to today's cutting edge applications, Ethics, Tools, and the Engineer explores the principles, ethics, and regulations to which today's engineers must adhere. It provides in-depth background and history along with novel approaches to traditional subjects that will challenge the way you think about tomorrow's world. ... Read more

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From microcosm to macrocosm, ecodesign, green design, environmental design, and triple bottom line are quickly becoming more than just catchy phrases that describe touchy-feely trends. Increases in climate uncertainty and energy costs as well as food, water, and services insecurity, are just a few of the challenges driving the growing demand for sustainable design outcomes. Sustainability and Design Ethics provides a systematic value analysis that makes a reasoned argument the rethinking of current design methods and the values and ethics which guide them.

Providing context and language, this book delineates the ideas and principles that lie at the foundation of a variety of codes of ethics, and then critically analyzes existing published codes and the practices that stem from them. It takes a practical approach, discussing applied ethics, and relies upon an understanding of the moral reasoning that supports the ideas and professionalism and an ethical standard of care. Drawing on the author's experience as a design professional and his study of business ethics, this book supplies a detailed exposition of the underlying ethical reasoning involved in the challenges confronted by contemporary design professionals. This information can then be distilled into sustainable practices and the corresponding ethics.

Sustainability requires design professionals to expand the considerations of design beyond the traditional ethical points of view and to provide a balanced analysis of how a sustainable standard of care might be composed. While other books might cover the environment and design, professional ethics are addressed as an afterthought at most, if at all. And no other book available explores sustainability from a designer’s perspective. Examining present and future issues facing practitioners, the book provides a context for the values and ethics necessary for sustainable development design.

Product Description
Biomedical Ethics for Engineers provides biomedical engineers with a new set of tools and an understanding that the application of ethical measures will seldom reach consensus even among fellow engineers and scientists. The solutions are never completely technical, so the engineer must continue to improve the means of incorporating a wide array of societal perspectives, without sacrificing sound science and good design principles.
Dan Vallero understands that engineering is a profession that profoundly affects the quality of life from the subcellular and nano to the planetary scale. Protecting and enhancing life is the essence of ethics; thus every engineer and design professional needs a foundation in bioethics. In high-profile emerging fields such as nanotechnology, biotechnology and green engineering, public concerns and attitudes become especially crucial factors given the inherent uncertainties and high stakes involved. Ethics thus means more than a commitment to abide by professional norms of conduct. This book discusses the full suite of emerging biomedical and environmental issues that must be addressed by engineers and scientists within a global and societal context.In addition it gives technical professionals tools to recognize and address bioethical questions and illustrates that an understanding of the application of these measures will seldom reach consensus even among fellow engineers and scientists.

· Working tool for biomedical engineers in the new age of technology
· Numerous case studies to illustrate the direct application of ethical techniques and standards
· Ancillary materials available online for easy integration into any academic program ... Read more

Product Description
This is a selection of readings about professionalism and ethics in engineering. It addresses topics such as the concept of professionalism, education, and maintenance of competence, registration, professional autonomy, social effects and responsibilities, and enforcement of codes of ethics. ... Read more

Product Description
This digital document is an article from Industrial Engineer, published by Institute of Industrial Engineers, Inc. (IIE) on November 1, 2008. The length of the article is 465 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: Responsible engineering: Virginia Tech establishes global ethics curriculum.(Front Line)
Author: Gale Reference Team
Publication: Industrial Engineer (Magazine/Journal)
Date: November 1, 2008
Publisher: Institute of Industrial Engineers, Inc. (IIE)
Volume: 40Issue: 11Page: 12(1)

Distributed by Gale, a part of Cengage Learning ... Read more

Product Description
The book has no illustrations or index. Purchasers are entitled to a free trial membership in the General Books Club where they can select from more than a million books without charge. Subjects: Science fiction, American; ... Read more