Ethics in Engineering Practice and Research

by Caroline Whitbeck

Overview

The first edition of Caroline Whitbeck's Ethics in Engineering Practice and Research focused on the difficult ethical problems engineers encounter in their practice and in research. In many ways, these problems are like design problems: they are complex, often ill defined; resolving them involves an iterative process of analysis and synthesis; and there can be more than one acceptable solution. In the second edition of this text, Dr. Whitbeck goes above and beyond by featuring more real-life problems, stating recent scenarios, and laying the foundation of ethical concepts and reasoning. This book offers a real-world, problem-centered approach to engineering ethics, using a rich collection of open-ended case studies to develop skill in recognizing and addressing ethical issues.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780521723985
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	08/15/2011
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	440
Product dimensions:	7.00(w) x 9.90(h) x 1.00(d)

About the Author

Caroline Whitbeck is the Emerita Elmer G. Beamer-Hubert H. Schneider Professor in Ethics at Case Western Reserve University. Professor Whitbeck teaches in both the Philosophy and the Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering departments. Her research goes across numerous fields such as philosophy, engineering, technology, medicine and feminist philosophy. Dr Whitbeck is currently the Director of the The Online Ethics Center for Engineering and Science at the National Academy of Engineering. Dr Whitbeck has published numerous articles on bioethics and is the author of Ethics in Engineering Practice and Research (1998).

Table of Contents

Part I. Values and the Evaluation of Acts in Engineering: Introduction to Ethical Reasoning and Engineering Ethics: 1. Professional practice in engineering; 2. Two examples of professional behavior: Roger Boisjoly and William Lemessurier; Part II. Engineering Responsibility: 3. Ethics as design - doing justice to moral problems; 4. Central professional responsibilities of engineers; 5. Computers, software, and digital information; 6. Rights and responsibilities regarding intellectual property; 7. Workplace rights and responsibilities; Part III. Responsible Research Conduct: 8. Ethics in the changing domain of research; 9. Responsible authorship and credit in engineering and scientific research; Part IV. The Future of Engineering: 10. Responsibility for the environment; 11. End use and 'macro' issues.

Editorial Reviews

'I am very enthusiastic about Dr Whitbeck's effort to help us think effectively and somewhat pragmatically about professional ethics. Everyone, professionals in particular, must expect ethically-complex situations to arise … This book will help seasoned professionals clarify their approach to their own behavior, and this book can profoundly affect those who face a messy situation for the first time.' Woodie C. Flowers, from the Foreword for the first edition

'Dr Whitbeck draws the useful analogy between ethical problems and engineering design problems … a well written book.' Engineering Science Education Journal

'Whitbeck has written a valuable book, regardless of the reader's penchant for general philosophy or cases. Practitioners will find the time invested to get through it well repaid.' ASME International

'This fine textbook in engineering ethics will be useful for courses in engineering ethics, and as a supplementary resource for engineering and science instructors who wish to infuse attention to ethics into their courses. It will also interest students of philosophical ethics who wish to consider a refreshing approach to case-based, 'applied' ethics.' Metaphysics, Epistemology, and Technology

From the Publisher