A Time and Place for Ethics

Abstract

The paper presents an array of hypothetical ethical conflicts, couched in the field of environmental protection, and offers sources of guidance to assist engineers in making the proper ethical choices and taking the most prudent courses of action. Engineers are expected to follow and adhere to codes of ethics and standards of performance for their disciplines, but they should also be aware of federal and state laws, company regulations, and the public interest. In the interest of professional integrity, engineers must not engage in dishonest or fraudulent activities and must be sure their work is not misrepresented.