Ethics and Engineering Education

Abstract

A concise definition of ethics is proposed in which it is suggested that ethics can be defined as any set of values, a set of values shared by a group, or a set of shared values that can be absolute and transcend society. It is argued that all three definitions are necessary in the formulation of a useful engineering ethic. Finally, the teaching of ethics to engineers is examined, with suggestions on how such education can be implemented in an engineering curriculum.