Prompt 2: Defining Ethics

By: Nick H.

Engineers, in the fulfillment of their professional duties, shall:
1 Hold paramount the safety, health, and welfare of the public.
2 Perform services only in areas of their competence.
3 Issue public statements only in an objective and truthful manner.
4 Act for each employer or client as faithful agents or trustees.
5 Avoid deceptive acts.
6 Conduct themselves honorably, responsibly, ethically, and lawfully
as to enhance the honor, reputation, and usefulness of the profession.

-National Society of Professional Engineers, Code of Ethics 

Those outside of the field of engineering often do not realize the ethics surrounding automotive design. It is easy to take the high safety standards and quality of modern cars for granted. However, with minimal background knowledge, people understand that if this code of ethics were not to be followed, then the end product could be unsafe for use. For example, the Ford Pinto was a car engineered by Ford Automotive Company. It is most well known for being explosive upon being hit in the rear bumper. If the designers of this vehicle were to have followed the code of ethics more carefully, the safety of the public would have been much more a concern and more competent engineers would have designed the rear end of the vehicle.

Due to the importance on the safety of customers within automotive design, those working within this field follow the code of ethics very closely. Here, abiding by these rules goes far beyond ethical truth and professionalism. Lives are potentially at risk. The code of ethics for automotive engineering plays a huge role within the workplace.

Throughout the 21 Century, engineers have emphasized the code of ethics much more, improving the safety and consistency found within modern day cars.  I agree with each of the 6 pieces of this code. They display morals of truthfulness, honesty, efficiency, and safety. At its most basic form, engineering is figuring out how to safely get a job done without harming or damaging anything or anyone. This is especially true for automotive design, as faulty engineering can lead to fatal consequences.

Ford Pinto - Lacocca, Lee. "Keep off my rear, I'm explosive" Digital image. Powerblocktv.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 Jan. 2016.