TY - JOUR
T1 - Ways of thinking about and teaching ethical problem solving
T2 - Microethics and macroethics in engineering
AU - Herkert, Joseph R.
N1 - Funding Information:
Applied ethics fields outside engineering have done somewhat better at incorporating macroethical problems and issues in online materials (the most relevant of these to engineering ethics is computer ethics—see below). For example, several of the online instructional modules developed as part of the Graduate School Research Ethics Initiative at North Carolina State University (NC State),38 funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF), focus on macroethical as well as microethical implications of research. Another project conducted at NC State39 with funding from the Office of Research Integrity, US Department of Health and Human Services, addresses microethical and macroethical concerns in the use of animal research subjects.
Copyright:
Copyright 2017 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.
PY - 2005/7
Y1 - 2005/7
N2 - Engineering ethics entails three frames of reference: individual, professional, and social "Microethics" considers individuals and internal relations of the engineering profession; "macroethics" applies to the collective social responsibility of the profession and to societal decisions about technology. Most research and teaching in engineering ethics, including online resources, has had a "micro" focus. Mechanisms for incorporating macroethical perspectives include: integrating engineering ethics and science, technology and society (STS); closer integration of engineering ethics and computer ethics; and consideration of the influence of professional engineering societies and corporate social responsibility programs on ethical engineering practice. Integrating macroethical issues and concerns in engineering ethics involves broadening the context of ethical problem solving. This in turn implies: developing courses emphasizing both micro and macro perspectives, providing faculty development that includes training in both STS and practical ethics; and revision of curriculum materials, including online resources. Multidisciplinary collaboration is recommended 1) to create online case studies emphasizing ethical decision making in individual, professional, and societal contexts; 2) to leverage existing online computer ethics resources with relevance to engineering education and practice; and 3) to create transparent linkages between public policy positions advocated by professional societies and codes of ethics.
AB - Engineering ethics entails three frames of reference: individual, professional, and social "Microethics" considers individuals and internal relations of the engineering profession; "macroethics" applies to the collective social responsibility of the profession and to societal decisions about technology. Most research and teaching in engineering ethics, including online resources, has had a "micro" focus. Mechanisms for incorporating macroethical perspectives include: integrating engineering ethics and science, technology and society (STS); closer integration of engineering ethics and computer ethics; and consideration of the influence of professional engineering societies and corporate social responsibility programs on ethical engineering practice. Integrating macroethical issues and concerns in engineering ethics involves broadening the context of ethical problem solving. This in turn implies: developing courses emphasizing both micro and macro perspectives, providing faculty development that includes training in both STS and practical ethics; and revision of curriculum materials, including online resources. Multidisciplinary collaboration is recommended 1) to create online case studies emphasizing ethical decision making in individual, professional, and societal contexts; 2) to leverage existing online computer ethics resources with relevance to engineering education and practice; and 3) to create transparent linkages between public policy positions advocated by professional societies and codes of ethics.
KW - Corporate responsibility
KW - Engineering ethics
KW - Ethical problem solving
KW - Macroethics
KW - Online resources
KW - Professional societies
KW - STS
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U2 - 10.1007/s11948-005-0006-3
DO - 10.1007/s11948-005-0006-3
M3 - Article
C2 - 16190278
AN - SCOPUS:25444478317
SN - 1353-3452
VL - 11
SP - 373
EP - 385
JO - Science and engineering ethics
JF - Science and engineering ethics
IS - 3
ER -