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Oct 28, 2014 - A QUESTION OF ETHICS: DISHONESTY IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST. Mairead McDonagh ([email protected]) ... honesty a

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0011 Budny 10:00 R01

A QUESTION OF ETHICS: DISHONESTY IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST Mairead McDonagh ([email protected])

PREFACE Engineers have a particularly influential role in society due to the nature of their profession. They create, innovate, and ultimately develop solutions for the problems existing in the world. People everywhere rely on these solutions to be not only effective, but also long-lasting and safe. Therefore, engineers bear a great responsibility to the public. They must make ethical decisions to satisfy the demands of ethical codes, clients, coworkers, the public, and their own moral values. Ethical dilemmas occur in every division of engineering, and all engineers are likely to experience them. As an aspiring engineer, I expect to face ethical dilemmas of my own one day. While I do not know what the dilemmas might be, I do know what kind of person I want to be. I value honesty and integrity, and I believe it is important to consider how my actions affect others. These are the principles I will maintain as an engineer. In the following composition, I will first narrate a scenario from the perspective of a chemical engineer experiencing an ethical dilemma. Then, I will consider various influences such as codes of ethics, case studies, and articles, and seek out moral guidance to make a decision that is consistent with who I am as an individual, and ultimately who I want to be as an engineer.

THE DILEMMA As a project manager for a solar energy company, I have a lot of responsibilities to manage. My current project is to produce cobalt-based thin film solar cells for market. Cobaltbased thin films are a special type of solar cell with a cobalt coating, and they have the potential to revolutionize the energy market. These cells are particularly effective because they catalyze the splitting of water at an accelerated rate [1]. Essentially, this means energy is produced more efficiently than in traditional solar cells, making cobalt-based thin films a leader in marketable solar options. Currently, my team is in the developmental stages of cobalt-based thin films. We are currently researching ways to increase efficiency and decrease erosion in our solar cells, as these are two problems we have experienced thus far. While there will surely be roadblocks, I am confident that my team will be able to find solutions to these problems. I have a presentation today, in which I hope to convince potential investors to contribute funding to the project. It is crucial to the project that we obtain significant funding, because there is much more research to be done. In order to make cobalt-based thin films economically competitive, we must drastically improve the efficiency of the cells. University of Pittsburgh, Swanson School of Engineering 2014-10-28

Otherwise, fossil fuels will remain as the most affordable energy source, and buyers will continue to neglect solar technology. My supervisor is especially adamant about this situation, and has suggested I exaggerate our results and tweak our data on efficiency to better persuade the investors. On multiple occasions, he has implied that the failure of this presentation could halt the project entirely. Therefore, this project is dependent upon the success of this presentation. If I mislead the investors with a dishonest presentation, I could ensure the continuation of the project through their donations, but I will be sacrificing my integrity as an engineer. If I strictly present the facts in the presentation, I risk underselling the cobaltbased thin films and causing the investors to withhold their donations. Therefore, I face the ethical dilemma of deciding whether I should present the project honestly, or inflate the presentation to appeal to the investors.

CODES OF ETHICS As an engineer, I know there are codes of ethics by which I must abide. NSPE, the National Society of Professional Engineers, values honesty and integrity in engineering practices. The NSPE Code of Ethics explicitly states that “engineers shall avoid deceptive acts” [2]. My supervisor’s encouragement to mislead the investors does seem deceptive, but a part of me knows that we can achieve the efficiency that we promise. I have faith in my team, and we have already made great strides in improving cobalt-based thin film efficiency. With more funding we will surely accomplish the efficiency we need to get our solar cells on the market. Implying we have made more progress than we have does not seem dishonest, but rather forward-thinking. Furthermore, the NSPE Code of Ethics professes that “engineers shall at all times strive to serve the public interest” [2]. Fundamentally, the purpose of implementing cobaltbased thin films is to serve the public interest. The negative effects of fossil fuel overuse impact the public with high fuel prices, air pollution, water contamination, and an array of other detrimental side effects. I took on this project because I am passionate about improving the world around me. I know that we can make our fuel cells marketable, and I know that they will make the world a better place. Therefore, if I can win over the investors with my presentation, my team can serve the public interest monumentally. Overall, the NSPE Code of Ethics does not clarify the dilemma I am experiencing. In my situation, some parts of the Code tell me to be honest, while others are advocate serving the public interest. The Code fails to mention which takes priority in a dilemma like mine.

Mairead McDonagh

I must also consider the AIChE, or American Institute of Chemical Engineers, Code of Ethics. Two of AIChE’s key goals are to be “honest and impartial in serving [. . .] the public,” and to use “knowledge and skill for the enhancement of human welfare” [3]. If I am fully honest with the potential investors, I risk underselling the project and sacrificing the investors’ contributions. As a result, my team’s progress may be halted, ultimately delaying the “enhancement of human welfare” our product will provide—which is the widespread usage of solar power in place of fossil fuels. In contrast, if I mislead the investors in my presentation, I will violate the code of ethics, yet ensure that our project receives the funding it needs. Evidently, the AIChE Code of Ethics cannot help my decision either. While it certainly offers valuable advice, it is hard to know which takes precedent—honesty or human welfare. I believe both are valuable, and while the NSPE and AIChE codes of ethics offer useful guidelines, sometimes it is difficult to apply those guidelines in a concrete fashion.

morality of misleading the investors—no matter how noble the reasoning behind it. One final case study features the story of another project manager, and the repercussions he experiences through his own poor judgment. At the advice of his manager, he allows a co-op student to take on a challenging aspect of his project [6]. When the student’s work becomes a major problem at a later stage in the project, the project manager must resolve all of the arising issues, and deal with the consequences of allowing a student to do work that requires a qualified engineer. In this case, the project manager exhibited poor judgment in relying on a student to complete a crucial aspect of his project. He failed to consider that his manager’s advice may not have been the best plan of action. I can relate to this project manager, because I am experiencing pressure from my supervisor to make a decision that makes me uncomfortable.

THE DANGER OF DECEPTION

CASE STUDIES

To make sense of my own situation, I must also consider the ethical opinions of others. An article published by the Guardian online magazine discusses the ethical role engineers play in society today, as compared with their role in the past. In the late 1800s, engineers had a “strong and autonomous professional identity;” they had an independent choice in their engineering practices [7]. Now, corporation rules the field of engineering. As a result, individual engineers have become mere cogs in the corporal machine. We have been conditioned to think about the mechanics of our projects, but not the human implications that may result from these projects. In my case, I must consider the potential repercussions should my project team fail to accomplish the effectivity we promise the investors in our cobalt-based thin films. They could lose faith in the company, ultimately leading to a decline in their further donations. Therefore, I must decide whether it is wrong to mislead them in my presentation. Jeopardizing the investors’ willingness to donate to our projects could be more detrimental than not receiving the funding we need for this project. They could refuse to fund future projects— negatively affecting the public far more than just losing funding for this project.

The codes of ethics certainly gave me some perspective on my situation, but it is also valuable to consider how others in a similar position have handled their own ethical dilemmas. In one case study, an individual pitches his idea for a company for a new medical development to venture capital firms, with the hope that one might fund his company. Like me, he is receiving pressure from coworkers to “paint a very ‘rosy’ picture of the business” [4]. I identify with this individual, because he truly believes that his medical development will make the world better, just as I believe in the success of cobalt-based thin films. His coworkers point out that the venture capital firms expect him to exaggerate. Therefore, should he be completely straightforward, he risks underrepresenting his medical innovation. If most businesses do exaggerate their pitches, it puts him at a disadvantage to present his own at surface value. This individual’s conflict resonates with me because he is in the same position I am; we both must consider whether it is better to be completely candid, or to be deceptive in the interest of the public. Another case study features the possibly unethical action of a principal of an engineering firm. His firm has been recognized by “several engineering and technical organizations in the past year,” and he creates an ad insinuating that those same organizations have called his firm “the best in engineering” [5]. While his dishonesty is calculated, it certainly has characteristics in common with my situation. The principal wants to attract more business, so he misleads his audience. In a similar way, I am contemplating misleading the investors to guarantee funding of my project. The situations are markedly different, because the principal’s motivation selfish, while mine is in the interest of the public. However, the similarities between the two certainly make me question the

A RESPONSIBILITY TO THE PUBLIC A publication of the National Academy of Engineering discusses ethics in the field of engineering as well. Specifically, the author, Samuel C. Elorman, discusses the ethical responsibilities engineers must strive to uphold in their technological endeavors. According to Elorman, all parties affected by a given engineering innovation “want safety, reliability, an undamaged environment, and undepleted resources” [8].

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Mairead McDonagh

He continues to mention the common desire for engineering solutions to be economical, saying it is “a moral imperative because it means more benefits for people of modest means” [8]. I am so passionate about cobalt-based thin films because I know this product will satisfy all of the aforementioned needs of the public. Future generations could be relieved of the energy crisis chronically affecting humans worldwide. Furthermore, the implementation of these solar cells could positively benefit individuals with less access to fossil fuels, and individuals too poor to afford current energy forms. I feel that it is my responsibility to share cobalt-based thin films with the world. So many aspects of life could be improved if this technology was an economic competitor. I absolutely agree with Elorman’s idea that engineers have a responsibility to the public. However, I am unsure as to whether the continuation of this project in the interest of the public merits being dishonest towards the investors.

CONCLUSION Writing from the perspective of a chemical engineer helped me to realize the ethical conflicts engineers face on a daily basis. The reality of engineering is that some decisions are extremely difficult to make. In the above scenario, I had to consider whether I would rather sacrifice my personal beliefs for the good of the project, or risk halting the project through refusing to exaggerate the truth. Additionally, I had to consider whether I should take the advice of my supervisor in presenting dishonestly, or make my own choice at the risk of negative repercussions from above. Ultimately, this composition was an exercise in ethical decision-making. I have no doubt that I will face ethical dilemmas as an engineer. Through exploring the scenario of an ethical dilemma, I have realized how engineers can make the best possible choice in an ethical dilemma. First and foremost, engineers should consult the codes of ethics. They might not always give clarity to specific situations, but they are the foundation on which we operate as engineers. Additionally, I think it is valuable for engineers to consult case studies in similar situations. Sometimes it is easier to recognize how to react in a situation when you can see how others have handled similar dilemmas. Finally, engineers should consider what values matter most to them, and maintain those values in their decision; after all, engineering is about making the world a better place.

MORAL GUIDANCE Considering codes of ethics, case studies, and articles, I have gained some insight on my ethical dilemma. However, I have not come to a decision as to how to proceed. In times like these, I rely on the resources that define me as an individual. One of those resources I frequently consider is a particular quotation from Ralph Waldo Emerson’s The American Scholar that has always resonated with me: “we will walk on our own feet; we will work with our own hands; we will speak our own minds” [9]. The preceding quotation exemplifies who I want to be as an individual, and how I want to contribute to the good of society. I have always believed in doing things for myself, working hard, and thinking independently to do what is right. For me, this is what Emerson meant. To an extent, it is important to follow the expectations of those in charge; however, it is all the more important to use discretion and decide for oneself what is right. I am slowly realizing that my supervisor may be in the wrong by telling me to stretch the truth in my presentation. I need to consider my own values, and decide for myself whether or not I want to be deceitful. Whenever I experience a dilemma like this, I go to my mother for advice. Her wisdom in difficult situations never ceases to amaze me, and I have a lot of faith in her judgment. After explaining the dilemma to my mother, she paused, before asking what kind of engineer I want to be. After a puzzled moment, I realized what she meant. Do I want to be the kind of engineer that deceives, or the kind that accomplishes her goals with integrity? [10]. Suddenly, I feel like I can see clearly for the first time. My unease has dissipated, because I have resolved to do the presentation with complete honesty. While the investors might not be as compelled to donate to our project, I believe that my passion and confidence in the project as it stands will convince them that cobalt-based thin films are worth the investment.

REFERENCES [1] A. Martinson. “Interfaces for Solar Energy Conversion.” Argonne National Laboratory. (online article). http://www.msd.anl.gov/surface-chemistry/sc-interfaces-forsolar-energy-conversion [2] “Code of Ethics.” (2014). National Society of Professional Engineers. (online article). http://www.nspe.org/resources/ethics/code-ethics [3] “Code of Ethics.” (2013). American Institute of Chemical Engineers. (online article). http://www.aiche.org/about/codeethics [4] “Case 9 – On the Path to Fund Raising.” (2014). Stanford Biodesign. (online article). http://biodesign.stanford.edu/bdn/ethicscases/9pathtofundrai sing.jsp [5] NSPE Board of Ethical Review. (2003). “Advertising— Truthful and Non-Deceptive Statements.” National Society of Professional Engineers. (online article). http://www.nspe.org/sites/default/files/resources/pdfs/Ethics/ EthicsResources/EthicsCaseSearch/2003/BER%2003-11APPROVED-Final.pdf [6] Dr. Gale Cutler. (1988). “Teaching Engineering Ethics: Testing by a CO-OP Student.” Online Ethics Center. (online article). http://www.onlineethics.org/Resources/Cases/coop.aspx

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Mairead McDonagh [7] Abbas El-Zein. (2013). “As engineers, we must consider the ethical implications of our work.” The Guardian. (online article). [8] Samuel C. Florman. (2002). “Engineering Ethics: The Conversation without End.” National Academy of Engineering. (online article). https://www.nae.edu/Publications/Bridge/EngineeringEthics 7377/EngineeringEthicsTheConversationwithoutEnd.aspx [9] Ralph Waldo Emerson. (1837). “The American Scholar.” (oration). [10] B. McDonagh. (2014, Oct. 20). Conversation.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Primarily, I would like to thank Emelyn Fuhrman for coming into our class to make sure we knew what we were doing in this paper. I would also like to extend my gratitude to Beth Bateman Newborg, for putting together the frequently asked questions email, because it cleared up some confusion. Finally, I would like to extend a thank you to Dr. Budny for sharing Jane and the Golden Dragon with us.

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