Re:Boeing Engineers Lost Control of the Company
by salawat on Sunday October 20, 2019 @11:51PM
(#21309224)
>I'd argue that it is specialized education
Part of which in many programs includes familiarization with ethics coincidentally.
>A bridge is usually designed by a team of engineers... how do you bring ethics into calculating the amount of rebar in your concrete slab??
You are not a calculator. You are responsible for ensuring your specific part is correct, yes; but being conferred with the power to halt something that isn't up to snuff or to reject a plan for unsoundness also implies a responsibility to exercise that discretion. You (as the engineer) have those technical chops that others do not.
If you bow out and rubber stamp without a thought to the consequences of your actions, you aren't fulfilling your duty to the Public. With a bridge it's more straightforward, so it doesn't necessarily avail the civil engineer of the opportunity to exercise that discretion, but it is nevertheless there.
Part of which in many programs includes familiarization with ethics coincidentally.
>A bridge is usually designed by a team of engineers... how do you bring ethics into calculating the amount of rebar in your concrete slab??
You are not a calculator. You are responsible for ensuring your specific part is correct, yes; but being conferred with the power to halt something that isn't up to snuff or to reject a plan for unsoundness also implies a responsibility to exercise that discretion. You (as the engineer) have those technical chops that others do not.
If you bow out and rubber stamp without a thought to the consequences of your actions, you aren't fulfilling your duty to the Public. With a bridge it's more straightforward, so it doesn't necessarily avail the civil engineer of the opportunity to exercise that discretion, but it is nevertheless there.