An Eighth Canon for the Practitioner

Abstract

An eighth canon is proposed for the American Society of Civil Engineers Code of Ethics that states “engineers shall recognize the wise use and conservation of the cultural heritage, natural environment and natural resources, both renewable and non‐renewable.” Five arguments justifying the need for this eighth canon are presented: (1) To confirm the engineer's moral and ethical commitment; (2) to communicate the engineer's ethic to his client and the public; (3) to remind the engineer of his broad design responsibility; (4) to define the engineer's standard of practice; and (5) to preclude litigation.