BOOKS
Armstrong, James et al. The Decision Makers: Ethics for
Engineers. London: Thomas Telford Publishing, 1999.
This text provides a broad based look at ethics in engineering.
Beginning with general principles and major issues in ethics,
it moves to consider specific case studies in the field
of engineering. The text then offers a procedure that engineers
ought to follow in the development and implementation of
engineering projects. It closes with suggestions for how
ethics can best be taught to both undergraduate students
and professionals.
Assessment: Very good background and preparatory material
for instructors who wish to teach ethics in engineering
courses.
Barbour, Ian G. Ethics in an Age of Technology. San
Francisco: HarperSanFrancisco, 1993.
Divided into the three parts: Conflicting Values,
Critical Technologies, and Technology in the Future. Each part
is subdivided in to several parts. Some topics of interest include
the benefits of technology, the human costs of technology, and
the social construction of technology. It also discusses ethical
principles, decentralization, and appropriate technology, as
well as methods of assessing technology.
Beder, Sharon, The New Engineer:
Management and Professional Responsibility in a Changing World,
Macmillan Education Australia, 1998.
A valuable reference that stresses
the social responsibilities of engineers. Divided into
three parts, part one describes the characteristics and aspirations
of engineers. Part two is an extensive case study and
analysis. Part three considers the social role and responsibilities
of the new engineer.
Fleddermann, Charles B. Engineering Ethics. Upper
Saddle River: Prentice Hall, Inc., 1999.
Acts as a text and a resource for the study of engineering
ethics. The main goal of this text is to prepare future engineers
for the confrontation of ethical problems that they may face
in their professional careers.
Gunn, Alastair S., and Vesilind, P. Aarne Hold
Paramount: The Engineer's Responsibility to Society, Pacific
Grove California: Brooks/Cole-Thomson Learning, 2003.
Designed as a text for engineering ethics courses, this is
the first to use a narrative throughout the book. The
narrative is the life and experiences of an engineer over the
course of a year. Valuable as a way to demonstrate to
students that ethical issues and decisions are commonplace in an
engineer's life, both in and out of the workplace.
Narrative is well supplemented with information boxes.
Assessment: Excellent text for a First-Year Seminar or as a
supplement. Narrative format is unique and engaging.
Harris, Charles E. Jr., et al. Engineering
Ethics: Concepts and Cases (2nd edition). London: Wadsworth, 2000.
A thorough text organized into three main sections:
Critical Approaches, Generic Concerns, and Special Topics. Allows
students to think methodically when encountering ethical problems.
It outlines methods to approaching ethical problems, as well
as, areas of ethical concern for engineers. Good section
on common morality.
Harris, Charles E. Jr., et al. Practicing
Engineering Ethics. New York: The Institute of Electrical
and Electronics Engineers, Inc., 1997.
Focuses on the professional responsibilities of engineers.
Gives methods of analyzing and solving moral problems. Defines
risk and safety, and what levels of each are acceptable in this
field of work.
Humphreys, Kenneth K., P.E., C.C.E. What
Every Engineer Should Know About Ethics. New York: Marcel
Dekker, Inc., 1999.
Acts as a useful guide for students and present engineers.
Discusses the codes of ethics of the engineering profession
and legal requirements of ethical practice. Covers ethical dilemmas
faced by engineers.
Johnson, Deborah G. Ethical Issues in Engineering.
Englewood Cliffs: Prentice-Hall, Inc., 1991.
A text covering the various ways ethics is involved
in engineering. Discusses the roles of professional codes of
ethics, engineers' responsibilities to society, and obligations
of engineers to clients.
Kidder, Rushworth M. How Good People Make
Tough Choices. New York: William Morrow and Company, Inc.,
1995.
Provides tools for careful consideration of ethical
dilemmas of every-day life. Aids people who wish to tackle tough
choices through self-reflection.
Mitcham, Carl and R. Shannon
Duvall. Engineer's Toolkit: A First Course in Engineering.
Upper Saddle River: Prentice-Hall Inc., 2000.
Provides a general introduction to ethics specifically
in terms of engineering. Unlike many books of this nature, this
book pays special attention to virtue. It discusses ethical
situations faced by engineers at a professional level as well
as at a student level.
Schinzinger, Roland and Mike W. Martin. Introduction
to Engineering Ethics. Boston: McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.,
2000.
Provides a background for discussion for the fundamental
issues in engineering ethics, specifically noting moral problems
professional engineers face. Its main goal is to sway students
to reflect on these problems, and also provides the tools
that will help them do this. Part of McGraw-Hill's
BEST Series intended for first-year engineering courses.
Schinzinger, Roland and Mike W. Martin. Ethics in Engineering
(3rd edition). Boston: McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.,
1996.
A more complete text that led to the introductory text
above.
Sterba, James. Three Challenges to Ethics: Environmentalism,
Feminism, and Multiculturalism. New York: Oxford University
Press, 2000.
Useful as background for instructors in reflecting on ethical
frameworks. Might also be useful as companion text if more
time is spent on critiquing mainstream ethical thinking.
Assessment: Excellent philosophical discussion of mainstream
moral philosophy, with attention to new directions in ethical
thinking.
Whitbeck, Caroline. Ethics in Engineering Practice and
Research. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1998.
This book offers a problem-centered approach to engineering
ethics, using a wide range of open-ended scenarios and case
studies that allow for the development of skills in recognizing
and addressing ethical issues in engineering. The text opens
with a general overview of ethical concepts and analysis.
It then moves to consider issues of professional responsibility,
workplace rights and responsibility, research integrity, respect
for experimental subjects, environmental protection, and fair
credit in research. Case studies, discussion questions, and
highlighted points of importance are integrated throughout.
Assessment: Good resource for instructors who wish to teach
ethics in engineering; good text for students.
Winston, Morton E. and Ralph D. Edelbach. Society,
Ethics, and Technology. Belmont: Wadsworth/Thomas Learning,
2000.
Provides a bridge between ethics, the social sciences, and
the natural sciences and engineering. It is based on the goal
that courses should empower students to critically think about
the consequences of technology. It enforces the idea that
just because we are able to do something technologically does
not necessarily mean we should do it.
Bibiliographies of Engineering Ethics Texts
Selected Online Ethics
Center Bibliography of Articles and Books on Ethics in Engineering
Selected Online Ethics
Center Bibliography of Articles and Books on Research Ethics
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