Courage, Responsibilities, and Obligations in Engineering Ethics Symposium
The Allan J. McDonald Symposium at Montana State University delves into the importance of courage, responsibilities, and obligations in teaching and learning ethics in engineering education. The event features various sessions and talks focusing on professional ethics, decision-making, and addressing ethical challenges in the engineering field. Notable speakers and panel discussions offer valuable insights on navigating ethical dilemmas in a complicated world.
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Courage, Responsibilities, and Obligations: Courage, Responsibilities, and Obligations: Teaching and Learning Ethics Teaching and Learning Ethics in Engineering Education in Engineering Education Prof. Rob Maher Electrical & Computer Engineering Montana State University
Welcome and Acknowledgement Montana State University is located upon the homelands of indigenous peoples: people with a proud heritage, a vibrant present, and a sparkling future. We acknowledge the Assiniboine, Blackfeet, Chippewa Cree, Crow, Gros Ventre, Kootenai, Little Shell, Northern Cheyenne, Pend d Oreille, Plains Cree, Salish, Sioux, Hidatas, Mandan, Arikara, and the other indigenous nations of this region in the past, present, and future. We recognize that this rich human tapestry is central to our institutional Mission of learning, discovery, and engagement.
The Allan J. McDonald Symposium October 14-15, 2021 "Engineering Courage: Ethics and Professionalism in a Complicated World" Examine how professionals understand their obligation to speak up and stand their ground when they have knowledge and experience that gives them special insight into ethical matters. Consider how professionals develop the courage to sidestep political pressure, conflicts of interest, and threats to one s career, when faced with ethical matters in a professional role.
Symposium Sessions Symposium talks: Thursday, October 14, 2021, noon-3PM, MSU Alumni Foundation Great Room Start End 12:00 12:30 Rob Maher Courage, Responsibilities, and Obligations: Teaching and Learning Ethics in Engineering Education 12:30 12:50 Paul Lachapelle On Responding to University Censorship; Do Faculty have an Obligation to Notify the Public? 12:50 13:10 William Schell Supporting Engineers Decision Making 13:10 13:35 Laura Black A Technical Problem Is Never Only Technical: Managing the Social Lives of Technical Problems 13:35 14:00 Joseph Menicucci A Matter of Life and Death: Teaching Engineering Ethics at a Western-Style University in Kazakhstan 14:00 14:20 Paul Gannon Sustainability and Engineering Ethics 14:20 15:00 Doug Cairns Engineering and Engineering Ethics: A Case Study Keynote talk: Thursday, October 14, 2021, 7:00PM, Online (Webex) Truth, Lies, and O-Rings: Inside the Space Shuttle Challenger Disaster Prof. James R. Hansen, Auburn University Ethics Discussion Panel: Friday, October 15, 2021, 2:00PM, Online (Webex) James R. Hansen, Maryann Cummings (Computer Sci), Sara Rushing (Poli Sci), Bonnie Sheehey (Philosophy), and Mark Quinn (Microbiology & Immunology)
Allan J. McDonald (1937-2021) Montana State College, Chemical Engineering, 1959 For reference: Sputnik 1, Oct. 4, 1957 Joined Thiokol to work on solid rocket propulsion (Minuteman ICBM) Solid Rocket Motor Project Director Challenger Disaster: 28 Jan 1986
The Space Shuttle System External Tank (Liquid O2 and Liquid H2) Solid Rocket Motors (2) Orbiter Space Shuttle Main Engines
Field Joints "Tang" Rim edge "Clevis" U-shaped slot
Field Joint Unpressurized (before ignition) Pressurized, after ignition (exaggerated)
Pressure of Hot Combustion Gas Joint opens (exaggerated) Joint rotation Pressure of Hot Combustion Gas
Allan J. McDonald (cont.) 1986: Solid Rocket Motor Project Director Challenger Disaster: 28 Jan 1986 Testimony before Rogers Commission Feb 1986 Honorary doctorate from MSU: May 1986 Sept. 29, 1988: Return to Flight Orbiter Discovery
This re-design worked perfectly for the remaining 110 shuttle flights.
Allan J. McDonald (cont.) 1986: Solid Rocket Motor Project Director Challenger Disaster: 28 Jan 1986 Testimony before Rogers Commission Feb 1986 Honorary doctorate from MSU: May 1986 Sept. 29, 1988: Return to Flight Orbiter Discovery 2001: Allan McDonald retires from Thiokol 2009: "Truth, Lies, and O-Rings" 2021: Allan McDonald passes away at age 83
Engineering Ethics and College Instruction Courage, Responsibilities, and Obligations
Ethics? Isn't this just doing good? Ethics is the study of how people develop and apply moral principles that govern individual and group behavior This treats our collective notion of good and evil Moral principles often come from philosophers and from spiritual traditions
Moral Rules Engineering students are aware of typical moral rules: Do not kill Do not cause pain Do not disable Do not deprive freedom Do not deprive pleasure Do not deceive Don t break promises Don t cheat Don t disobey laws Don t fail to do your duty
This seems easy! But What do you do if there is a conflict in the rules: You promised to meet a friend at noon at a restaurant across town, but you lost track of time. Now the only way you will make the meeting is by speeding. You accidentally overhear a conversation between two strangers regarding a bid on a real estate transaction that you are contemplating. A police officer responding to a crime scene ends up shooting and killing a suspect who was holding a hostage. Thou shalt not kill except
Engineering Education What are your obligations to others in need, particularly people you will never actually meet? Can engineers only concern themselves with objective data and calculations? What do engineers do in the face of uncertainty? Does being a professional change your ethical obligations?
Engineering Education (cont.) Professional means someone whose position requires significant intellectual development, organized in a self-regulated manner, organized with published ethical standards, and often has certification or licensing by the state.
The Obligation of Engineers Most people use and rely upon technology and engineered systems, but don t really need to know how they work. Mobile phones, GPS systems, post-tensioned concrete structures, passenger aircraft, etc. People must trust that the structural integrity of the buildings they work in, the design of passenger aircraft they travel in, the purity of the water they drink, etc., has been ensured by qualified professionals.
The Bottom Line Do engineers have special obligations and ethical responsibilities? YES: engineers must be willing to make greater personal sacrifices than others when it comes to pointing out dangers, defective designs, etc., because of their special knowledge and training. Teaching via case studies, role-playing, testimonials, and complicated scenarios.
