Engineering Ethics - Response Assignment One

Read: HPR "Chapter Three- "Framing the Problem" and Case 19 - Drinking in the Work Place on page 315. Write a 1-2 page response. Directions follow:

A. Format

1. Name, Phil 361-03, Date at top of page. Followed by the two questions you’ll be responding to.

2. 1 to 2 pages - 12 point font - double spaced - 1 to 1-1/4 inch margins.

3. Bibliographical Information goes at end. For this response it will just be HPR:

Charles E. Harris, Jr., Michael S. Pritchard, and Michael J. Rabins, Engineering Ethics: Concepts and Cases. 3rd ed. Belmont, CA: Thomson/Wadsworth, 2005. 48-76, 315.

B. Content

In Chapter Three, HPR describe six steps they argue engineers should take in analyzing what to do in particular cases. These are summarized in 3.10 on pp. 74-75, but explained in greater detail earlier in the chapter. They also discuss two techniques: line-drawing (3.8) and finding a creative middle way in dealing with conflicting values (3.9). Write one to one and one-half pages responding to the following two questions:

1. In your view which one or two of the six steps is most important in addressing Case 19 Part I. Why?

2. Choose either line-drawing or finding a creative middle way. Describe one way it might help John determine whether he should say anything to Hillman about Andy’s drinking in Case 19.