13(a) On being ones own rabbit is an essay

by J.B. Haldin who conducted many risky

medical experiments on his own body.
Discuss as a responsible experimenter to
what extent such a practice is desirable or
not.
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J.B. Haldin, who wrote the essay On being ones own rabbit, conducted many
risky medical experiments on his own body. Professionals are responsible
experimenters. They have so many responsibilities for serving the society.,
1) A primary duty is to protect the safety of human beings.
2) Having a clear awareness of the experimental nature of any project, thoughtful
forecasting of its possible side effects, and an effort to maintain them reasonably.
3} Unrestricted free personal involvement in all steps of a project.
4) Being accountable for the results of a project.
5) Exhibiting their technical competence and other characteristics of
professionalism.
When we take the above responsibilities of a professional into account we can
justify that the medical experiments conducted by J.B. Haldin on his own body, are
normally desirable. If we consider it as a voluntary risk, then, it can be viewed as
morally desirable. People take up these kinds of risky actions because they believe
that they have full control over their actions. We can consider the practice of J.B.
Haldin as Job- related risk. From this viewpoint also, it can be considered as
morally desirable. His practice can be considered in view of informed consent
also. His knowledge about the practice has resulted in voluntariness.
When we consider sentient-centred ethics, the version of nature-centred ethics
recognizes all sentient animals as having inherent worth. Sentient animals are those
that feel pain and pleasure and have desires. Thus some utilitarians extend their
theory of right action to animals also.
Taking this view into consideration, J.B. Haldin might have avoided using animals
for his experiments. Such practice would have been against his honesty and,
conscience. Considering all the above viewpoints, we can say that J.B. Haldins
practice is morally justifiable and desirable. But when we consider him as an
important professional required for the society (as he can contribute so much to the

society through his competence in the profession), conducting such experiments on

his own body may be fatal and hence the society may be loosing a major source of
benefit for it. From this viewpoint we can argue that such practice of J.B. Haldin is
undesirable, otherwise, it is morally justifiable.

11(a)(i) Describe honesty as a fundamental

virtue between engineers, employers and
clients.
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Honesty is the basic virtue which is essential for the engineers and their employers or clients to
engage in the relationships between them. But these relationships are based only on the trust.
Professional engineers must conduct business honorably so that the public trust and the good
faith of engineering clients continue to grow instead of deterioting.
Honesty is the fundamental virtue. Honesty is also a basic thing needed for integrity in addition
to unity. Honesty is based on two aspects: truthfulness and trustworthiness.
Truthfulness is to face responsibilities about truth telling.
Trustworthiness refers to the responsibilities concerned with trust.
The truthfulness and trustworthiness are based on the following virtues:
i) Honesty in act: The individual should not steal, or manipulate accounts, or get bribes and
kickbacks (In short respect for others property).
ii) Honesty in speech: An individual should not mislead others by his speech. He should not tell
lies, and also not withhold the information pertaining to others.
iii) Honesty in beliefs: Intellectual honesty. An individual should not be deceptive and he should
not avoid trickily the unpleasant truths and should not hide the evidence favorable to others selfesteem and biases.
iv) Discretion: An employee should not interfere in the decisions taken by the employer or the
client. He should not interfere with the matters of confidential information.

11(b)(i) Explain how character influences

ones personal and professional life.
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Character; Virtue ethics emphasises character more than rules and rights. Character is the pattern
of virtues and vices (in other words morally desirable features and morally undesirable features).
Virtues are desirable habits or tendencies in action, commitment, motive, attitude, emotion, ways
of reasoning and ways of relating to others.
Vices are morally undesirable habits or tendencies. Specific virtues which influence ones
personal and professional life are: competence, honesty, courage, fairness, loyalty and humility.
Specific vices are: incompetence, dishonesty, cowardice, unfairness, disloyalty and arrogance.
All these play a definite major role in ones personal and professional life.
Honesty can be considered as the foundation of virtue which builds the character. The value of
engineering service is mainly based on honesty. Honesty mainly refers to two aspects: (i)
Truthfulness, (ii) Trustworthiness.
Honesty is the very basic virtue for those who engage themselves in the relationships with other
employers and clients. Honesty is a mandatory character especially to professionals like
engineers, lawyers and doctors.
Courage is another character mandatory for engineers, and other professionals. Courage is the
tendency to face dangers and difficult jobs in rational ways and with self-control. People with
courage are ready to take up any kind of risks.
Collegiality is an essential characteristic needed for any professional. Collegiality is the tendency
to support or cooperate with colleagues. The important aspects of collegiality are as follows: (i)
Respect, (ii) Cooperation, (iii) Commitment and (iv) Connectedness.

Self confidence in everyone develops a sense of partnership respects and accountability. Self
confident people will definitely come forward to take up risks, as they generally trust their own
abilities.

12(b)(ii) What do you understand by moral

autonomy? Discuss the skills to be acquired
by the engineers to become morally
autonomous.
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Moral autonomy: Autonomy means self-governing or self- determining, ie., to act

independently. Moral autonomy is the independent attitude of a person related to ethical issues.
Moral autonomy is, in other words, the skill (ability) and the habit (practice) of thinking
rationally about ethical issues on the basis of moral concern ie., the response to moral values.
Skills to improve moral autonomy
1)

Proficiency in identifying moral problems and issues in Engineering.

2) Power to comprehend, classify and critically examine the arguments on both sides of a
moral issue.
3} Ability to make comprehensive and consistent viewpoints based on relevant facts.
4) Ability to have creative solution for practical difficulties.
5) Sensitivity to difficulties including the willingness to tolerate trouble for some decisions.
6) Increased precision in the use of common ethical language.
7) Appreciation for using rational dialogue in resolving moral conflicts and tolerance of
differences in perception of morally reasonable people.
8)

Understanding the importance of keeping ones moral integrity.