Teacher: Sir Amir Hasnain Student: Muhammad Talha Islam Roll No.

: 2010-TE-054 Section: C

Telecommunication Engineering Department

Muhammad Talha Islam 2 Assignment-1

S. No. 1 2

Description Assignment questions

Question # 1: What is Ethics? What are the code of ethics of Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)? Question # 2: Write down a case-study of a professional engineer who resolves a typical ethical issue very efficiently. Question # 3: What are the moral dilemmas? Describe the steps in confronting moral dilemmas. Question # 4: What are the Kohlbergs and Gilligans theories? State briefly Question # 5: Define: Engineering Ethics, Moral Autonomy, Professionalism, Consensus, and Controversy.

Pg. No. 3 4-5

6-7

4 5 6 7

8 9 10 11

References

Professional Practices

Muhammad Talha Islam 3 Assignment-1

Sir Syed University of Engineering & Technology, Karachi

Telecommunication Engineering Department, Batch
2010 Professional Practices Assignment # 1 Question # 1: What is Ethics? What are the code of ethics of Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)? Question # 2: Write down a case-study of a professional engineer who resolves a typical ethical issue very efficiently. Question # 3: What are the moral dilemmas? Describe the steps in confronting moral dilemmas. Question # 4: What are the Kohlbergs and Gilligans theories? State briefly Question # 5: Define: Engineering Ethics, Consensus, and Controversy. Moral Autonomy, Professionalism,

Note: Deadline to submit the assignment is 30th March, 2013

They, who believe in tomorrow, work hard today.

Professional Practices

Muhammad Talha Islam 4 Assignment-1

Question # 1:
What is Ethics? What are the code of ethics of Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)?

Ethics:
Ethics - synonyms for morally correct or justified - set of justified moral principles of obligation, rights, and ideals Ethics - particular beliefs or attitudes concerning morality Ethics - area of study or inquiry an activity of understanding moral values, resolving moral issues, and justifying moral judgments

History IEEE Code of Ethics:

In 1963 IEEE endorsed Cannons of Ethics of Engineers after AIEE/IRE merger. Then on august 1990 IEEE Board of Directors approved simplified IEEE Code of Ethics

IEEE Code of Ethics:

The following is from the IEEE Policies, Section 7 - Professional Activities (Part A IEEE Policies).

7.8 IEEE Code of Ethics

We, the members of the IEEE, in recognition of the importance of our technologies in affecting the quality of life throughout the world, and in accepting a personal obligation to our profession, its members and the communities we serve, do hereby commit ourselves to the highest ethical and professional conduct and agree: 1. to accept responsibility in making decisions consistent with the safety, health, and welfare of the public, and to disclose promptly factors that might endanger the public or the environment; 2. to avoid real or perceived conflicts of interest whenever possible, and to disclose them to affected parties when they do exist; 3. to be honest and realistic in stating claims or estimates based on available data; 4. to reject bribery in all its forms; 5. to improve the understanding of technology; its appropriate application, and potential consequences; Professional Practices

Muhammad Talha Islam 5 Assignment-1 6. to maintain and improve our technical competence and to undertake technological tasks for others only if qualified by training or experience, or after full disclosure of pertinent limitations; 7. to seek, accept, and offer honest criticism of technical work, to acknowledge and correct errors, and to credit properly the contributions of others; 8. to treat fairly all persons regardless of such factors as race, religion, gender, disability, age, or national origin; 9. to avoid injuring others, their property, reputation, or employment by false or malicious action; 10. to assist colleagues and co-workers in their professional development and to support them in following this code of ethics. Changes to the IEEE Code of Ethics will be made only after the following conditions are met:

Proposed changes shall have been published in THE INSTITUTE at least three (3) months in advance of final consideration by the Board of Directors, with a request for comment, and All IEEE Major Boards shall have the opportunity to discuss proposed changes prior to final action by the Board of Directors, and An affirmative vote of two-thirds of the votes of the members of the Board of Directors present at the time of the vote, provided a quorum is present, shall be required for changes to be made.

Professional Practices

Muhammad Talha Islam 6 Assignment-1

Question # 2:
Write down a case-study of a professional engineer who resolves a typical ethical issue very efficiently.

Case Study
By Muhammad Talha Islam This is the case study of Abalkhail Consulting Engineers (AAA) is a Saudi Arabian multi-discipline engineering consulting firm that provides a comprehensive range of services from pre-design studies, through detail design and construction, management, supervision, to commissioning and hand over for its Clients. Abid was civil engineer in the post-designer division of AAA, for the past two years he had been working as a senior engineer in the firm. He was a very competent experienced engineer and was considered as an asset for the company. In a very short he had good name on the grounds of consulting engineers and contractors. According to the rules of the firm the company officials should not sign the contract outside the company and cannot work freelance. One day another companys representative came to Abid and offered him a contract; it was road project and they were giving him a considerable pay. Abid, keeping his family in mind and his children education and future he decided to sign the contract, and also involved his friend named Shah(who was an Arabian national also), wasnt the AAAs employee. After some days another company employee came to know that Abid is working for another company privately, and he reported this issue to the head of the Abids team. Now the ball was in his court, either he can fire his competent employee or can give him a second chance. Here manager called Abid and said We have listened that you are busy now a days in some important work. Abid got understood what the head wanted to say, he remains quiet. Boss further said In the regulations of the company no employee can work on his own, what if I fire you? You can explain what I am talking about. Abid replied and told his head that his salary was not incremented for two years and he has a family that is why he did that. Head said that he wouldnt like to expel the companys asset but what if it became disloyal to the company. The manger already knew the reasons from the resources, he asked Abid that he must let down that contract the company will give him a promotion and be loyal to his company. Finally, Abid decided to be with his company and he remained loyal and worked hard for his company with more enthusiasm.

Professional Practices

Muhammad Talha Islam 7 Assignment-1 Commentary In this case study the head was very tactical and skilled engineer with good moral autonomy. Definitely this case study talks on various grounds of ethics and also shows the impact of family in ones profession can results in unethical and illegal decision. On the other hand with the personal, intellectual skills and authority the head decided to give his employee a chance on the basis of his skills and knowing the after effects if he would expel him from the company, Abid might be sent back to his home country, Pakistan. And also he maintains the respect of company and its employee with good ethical judgment.

Professional Practices

Muhammad Talha Islam 8 Assignment-1 Question # 3: What are the moral dilemmas? Describe the steps in confronting moral dilemmas.

Moral Dilemma:
Moral dilemmas are situation in which to or more moral obligation, duties, rights, goods or ideas come into conflict with one another. Also, we can say that The one having state of uncertainty or perplexity especially requires a choice between equally unfavourable options.

Confronting Moral Dilemmas:

1. Moral clarity Need to know something is wrong! Do not ignore problems! Loyalty to employer, responsibilities to public and environment (And complex relations between these) 2. Know the facts Get hard, documented facts, discuss with others Competence matters in gathering technical facts 3. Consider options Diversity of actions to take? Evaluate/discuss. Long-term, short-term perspectives, repercussions? 4. Make a reasonable decision Weigh all factors; recognize gray areas/compromises An engineering design problem?

Professional Practices

Muhammad Talha Islam 9 Assignment-1 Question # 4: What are the Kohlbergs and Gilligans theories? State briefly Both the theories Kohlbergs and Gilligans suggests there are three main levels of moral development i.e. the kind of reasoning and motivation an individual adopts in response to moral questions. They stated that:

Kohlbergs Theory

Level 1 Pre-conventional Stages Punishment and Obedience Orientation - The first level of moral thinking is that generally found at the elementary school level. In the first stage of this level, people behave according to socially acceptable norms because they are told to do so by some authority figure (e.g., parent or teacher). This obedience is compelled by the threat or application of punishment. Instrument and Relativity Orientation - The second stage of this level is characterized by a view that right behavior means acting in one's own best interests. Level 2 Conventional Stages Interpersonal Concordance Orientation - The second level of moral thinking is that generally found in society, hence the name "conventional." The first stage of this level (stage 3) is characterized by an attitude which seeks to do what will gain the approval of others. Law and Order Orientation - The second stage is one oriented to abiding by the law and responding to the obligations of duty. Level 3 Post-conventional, Autonomous, or Principled Stages Social Contract Orientation - The third level of moral thinking is one that Kohlberg felt is not reached by the majority of adults. Its first stage (stage 5) is an understanding of social mutuality and a genuine interest in the welfare of others. Universal Ethical Principles Orientation - The last stage (stage 6) is based on respect for universal principle and the demands of individual conscience.

Gilligans Theory

Pre-conventional Level This is the same as Kohlbergs first level in that the person is preoccupied with self-centred reasoning, caring for the needs and desires of self. Conventional Here the thinking is opposite in that, one is preoccupied with not hurting others and a willingness to sacrifice ones own interests in order to help or nurture others (or retain friendship). Professional Practices

Muhammad Talha Islam 10 Assignment-1 Post-conventional Level Its achieved through context-oriented reasoning, rather than by applying abstract rules ranked in a hierarchy of importance. Here the individual becomes able to strike a reasoned balance between caring about other people and pursuing ones own selfinterest while exercising ones rights. Question # 5: Define: Engineering Ethics, Consensus, and Controversy. Moral Autonomy, Professionalism,

Engineering Ethics:
Engineering Ethics is the study of moral issues and decisions confronting individuals and organizations engaged in engineering.

Moral Autonomy:
Moral autonomy is the skill and habit of thinking rationally about ethical issues on the basis of moral concerns independently or by selfdetermination.

Professionalism:
Having an awareness of how your actions, body language, and words affect others Being fully accountable for ones actions Utilizing kindness, compassion, intelligence, and direct communication to lead others Learning to master a mindful, calm response to an emergency

Consensus:
Consensus is the general agreement between the stakeholders to respect the authority over ones autonomy.

Controversy:
All individuals will not arrive at same verdict during exercising their moral autonomy is typically said controversy.

Professional Practices

Muhammad Talha Islam 11 Assignment-1

References:
Mike W. Martin, Roland Schinzinger. Ethics in Engineering US: Champen University and University of California. Department of Electrical Engineering, Lecture1 Note from lectures and readings, Bahria University. Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, ECE480 Lecture1 Note from lectures and readings, The Ohio State UNiversity.

Professional Practices