Why does it matter?

Ethics is central to the practice of engineering. Consider the following statement, which serves as the preamble to the National Society of Professional Engineer’s (NSPE) Code of Ethics [1]:

Engineering is an important and learned profession. As members of this profession, engineers are expected to exhibit the highest standards of honesty and integrity. Engineering has a direct and vital impact on the quality of life for all people. Accordingly, the services provided by engineers require honesty, impartiality, fairness, and equity, and must be dedicated to the protection of the public health, safety, and welfare. Engineers must perform under a standard of professional behavior that requires adherence to the highest principles of ethical conduct. 

This statement emphasizes both the power that engineers hold, which is their “impact on the quality of life for all people.” The statement also emphasizes the engineers’ responsibilities, which is the “adherence to the highest principles of ethical conduct.” 

The engineer’s responsibility to act ethically extends to their communications. NSPE rule of Practice 3 states:

Engineers shall issue public statements only in an objective and truthful manner.

• Engineers shall be objective and truthful in professional reports, statements, or testimony. They shall include all relevant and pertinent information in such reports, statements, or testimony, which should bear the date indicating when it was current.

• Engineers may express publicly technical opinions that are founded upon knowledge of the facts and competence in the subject matter.

• Engineers shall issue no statements, criticisms, or arguments on technical matters that are inspired or paid for by interested parties, unless they have prefaced their comments by explicitly identifying the interested parties on whose behalf they are speaking, and by revealing the existence of any interest the engineers may have in the matters.

Based on this rule of practice, engineers are required to research and report information truthfully, accurately, and completely; offer opinions that are based on established facts related to subject matter within their expertise; and disclose any potential conflicts of interest. 

Reference:

[1] National Society of Professional Engineers. 2019. "NSPE Code of Ethics for Engineers." Accessed August 12, 2024. https://www.nspe.org/resources/ethics/code-ethics.