Chapter 2 Self Quiz

. Philosopher Michael Davies writes, "Without a professional code, an engineer could not object [to doing something unethical] as an engineer. An engineer could, of course, still object 'personally' and refuse to do the job. But if he did, he would risk being replaced by an engineer who would not object." Which ethical theory fits best with this view about professional codes?

Utilitarianism

Ethical egoism, as applied to groups

Virtue ethics

Kantianism

. Which of the following principles is a prohibitive principle?

Engineers shall hold paramount the safety, health and welfare of the public.

Engineers shall issue public statements only in an objective and truthful manner.

Engineers shall perform services only in areas of their competence.

Engineers shall conduct themselves honorably, responsibly, ethically, and lawfully so as to enhance the honor, reputation, and usefulness of the profession.

. The moral principles expressed in a professional code of ethics, including the NSPE code, can typically be characterized as a

prohibitive, descriptive, or normative principles.

prohibitive, preventive, or aspirational principles.

prohibitive, descriptive, or aspirational principles.

factual, descriptive, or normative principles

. Which of the following principles is a preventative principle?

Engineers shall avoid deceptive acts.

Engineers shall hold paramount the safety, health and welfare of the public.

Engineers shall issue public statements only in an objective and truthful manner.

Engineers shall conduct themselves honorably, responsibly, ethically, and lawfully so as to enhance the honor, reputation, and usefulness of the profession.

. According to the NSPE code of ethics, engineers shall "perform services only in areas of their competence." This isa(n) __________ element of the NSPE code.

prohibitive

preventive

aspirational

All of the above

. How do the ACM and NSPE codes differ from the IEEE code?

The ACM and NSPE codes distinguish between fundamental moral principles and more specific rules.

The IEEE code emphasizes honesty and integrity.

The IEEE code has no prohibitive principles.

The IEEE code specifically discusses bribes.

. A Proper Engineering Decision (PED) is a decision that

requires technical expertise.

may significantly affect the health, safety and welfare of others.

has the potential to violate the standards of an engineering code of ethics in other ways.

All of the above

. Determining whether Challenger's launch should be delayed or not was treated as a management decision by Gerald Mason rather than as a proper engineering decision and has been identified as a major mistake leading to the Challenger disaster. All of the following are aspects of a proper engineering decision except:

Has the potential to violate the standards of an engineering code of ethics.

Affects the performance of the organization.

Requires technical expertise.

May significantly affect the health, safety, and welfare of others.

. Sociologist Diane Vaughn coined the term normalization of deviance for describing the process in which

a technical error is accepted as normal, even though the technological system is not working as it should.

annontechnical error is accepted as normal, even though the technological system is working as it should.

the process in which an ethical mistake is accepted as normal, even though the technological system is working as it should.

All of the above

. Which aspect of the Challenger case is an example of the normalization of deviance?

The burden of proof shifted from the engineers being able to prove the launch was safe to launch to having to prove it is not safe to stop launch.

The O-ring blow-by was an aberration known to have occurred without disaster in the past and so did not alarm engineers.

Lund was told to take off his engineering hat and put on his management hat.

The conditions were unusually cold for launch that January.

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