The Separatist Thesis:

The Special Obligations of

Professional Engineers
A good starting point for deciding whether anyone has a
special moral obligation to others is to ask whether s/he
is especially well placed to benefit or harm themThe
outcome of scientific work can often have great impact
for good or ill on other people. Quite frequently scientists
can predict this outcome earlier and more accurately
than others. Sometimes they can even modify the
results. One could claim therefore, that engineers are in
one of those special positions which give them special
obligations)
Examples: Columbia Tragedy, Challenger Disaster, DC-10 Crashes,
Ford Pinto Rear End Collisions.

Example: Physicians and nurses have a special obligation to use

their knowledge and skills to improve the health of their patients
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The Intrinsic Nature of Engineering

There are two general types of definitions of engineering:
The Narrow Definition and the Broad Definition
The Narrow Definition

Engineering is the application of scientific and mathematical principles to

practical ends such as the design, manufacture, and operation of efficient and
economic structures, machines, processes, and systems

Engineering is the art or science of making practical application of the

knowledge of pure sciences, as physics, chemistry, biology, etc.
--Webster's Encyclopedic Unabridged Dictionary

Engineering is the science and art of efficient dealing with materials and
forces ... it involves the most economic design and execution ... assuring, when
properly performed, the most advantageous combination of accuracy, safety,
durability, speed, simplicity, efficiency, and economy possible for the conditions
of design and service.

Engineering is the practical application of science to commerce or industry

"Engineering design is the systematic, intelligent generation and evaluation of

specifications for artifacts whose form and function achieve stated objectives
and satisfy specified constraints."
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The Intrinsic Nature of Engineering

The Broad Definition
The engineer is one who is claimed to possess
specialized knowledge, esp. as regards the
treating of human problems by scientific or
technical means.
"Engineering is the professional art of applying
science to the optimum conversion of natural
resources to the benefit of man.
Engineering is the profession that puts power
and materials to work for the benefit of mankind
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The Intrinsic Nature of Engineering

The Broad Definition
Engineering is the application of science to the common
purpose of life.
Engineering is the art of directing the great sources of
power in nature for the use and convenience of man.
Engineering is the art of organizing and directing men
and controlling the forces and materials of nature for the
benefit of the human race.
Engineering is the profession in which a knowledge of
the mathematical and natural sciences gained by study,
experience, and practice is applied with judgment to
develop ways to utilize, economically, the materials and
forces of nature for the benefit of mankind.
4 (1961/1979)
--Engineers Council for Professional Development

The Intrinsic Nature of Engineering

The Broad Definition
The engineer is the key figure in the material progress of
the world. It is his engineering that makes a reality of the
potential value of science by translating scientific
knowledge into tools, resources, energy and labor to
bring them into the service of man ... To make
contributions of this kind the engineer requires the
imagination to visualize the needs of society and to
appreciate what is possible as well as the technological
and broad socialunderstanding to bring his vision to
reality.
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Engineering and Society

Engineering is a great profession. There
is a fascination of watching a figment of
the imagination emerge, through the aid of
science, to a plan on paper. Then it moves
to realization in stone or metal or energy.
Then it brings jobs home to men. Then it
elevates the standards of living and adds
to the comfort of life. That is the engineer's
high privilege.To the engineer falls the
job of clothing the bare bones of science
with life, comfort, and hope
--Herbert Hoover
(US mining engineer & 3ist President of the US) 6(1874 - 1964)

Defining Engineering

Engineering is that profession in which knowledge of the mathematical and natural

sciences gained by study, experience, and practice is applied with judgment to
develop ways to utilize, economically, the materials and forces of nature for the
benefit of mankind. (The Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology
ABET, 1992)
Engineering is the application of scientific and mathematical principles to practical
ends such as the design, manufacture, and operation of efficient and economical
structures, machines, processes, and systems.
Engineering is the art of directing the great sources of power in nature for the use
and the convenience of people. In its modern form engineering involves people,
money, materials, machines, and energy. It is differentiated from science because it is
primarily concerned with how to direct to useful and economical ends the natural
phenomena which scientists discover and formulate into acceptable theories.
Engineering therefore requires above all the creative imagination to innovate useful
applications of natural phenomena. It seeks newer, cheaper, better means of using
natural sources of energy and materials. (Science and Technology Encyclopedia,
McGraw Hill)
Engineering is the professional art of applying science to the optimum conversion of
the resources of nature to the uses of humankind. (Encyclopedia Britannica)
Engineering is the application of science and mathematics by which the properties of
matter and the sources of energy in nature are made useful to people (MerriamWebster Dictionary)
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Defining Engineering
Scientist discovers that which exists. An
engineer creates that which never was
Theodore von Karman (1881-1963)

Engineering and Ethics

If we accept these definitions of engineering, it is
crucial to realize the centrality of ethical
concerns at the core of the engineering
enterprise
Concern for social well being and humanity are
part of the very definition of engineering
Assuming the intellectual rigor of these
definitions, the need of ethics in engineering id
nothing superfluous or added, but it is the
essence of the engineering profession
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Engineering and Social Values

Today the consequences of human creativity in the areas of
engineering, technology, and science have reached measures that
only a few decades ago were unimaginable (e.g., genetic
engineering, biotechnology, nanotechnology, information
technologies, artificial intelligence)
This capacity and development mean an enormous amount of
Power
Knowledge is Power (Francis Bacon, 16??)
With Power comes Responsibility
Knowledge implies responsibility the obligations of the engineer
must be commensurate with the level of his or her knowledge and
power
With Responsibility comes Obligation and Accountability
The fact of living in a complex, global, and intercultural world
coupled with the unquestionable technological power wielded by
governments and societies
Makes it necessary that engineers amplify the horizon of their
technical knowledge with humanistic values and harmonize their
specialized formation and development with knowledge of the
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norms, principles, and ideals of ethics