Ethics is often thought of as a set of rules to follow.  The purpose of this Webinar is to introduce some of the complexities in following these sets of rules. It opens with a list of situations that have let to ethical dilemmas and the need to identify the meaning and implications of ethical thought and behavior.  The logical result of this pondering is the creation of a Code of Ethics.  The interesting thing is that just like religion, there are various interpretations of ethics, which makes it more difficult to know what “ethical” really might be. Four human ethical theories are introduced and then the ASCE 2020 Code of Ethics is used as an outline for discussion of the relationship of the content to these ethical theories, including the challenges in interpreting the intended outcomes of the written rules. The ethical implications of several events, such as the Fukushima nuclear accident, the Village of Widows and Yellowknife gold mining are featured as real-life ethical dilemmas. The presentation also compares ethics as defined by engineers with ethics defined by other groups, such as indigenous, religious, environmentalists and feminists.

Date:  Thursday. December 28. 2021. 2 - 4 pm ET Credits: 2 PDH Units

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of the course, the student should understand the importance of ethical engineering practices along with many stumbling blocks along the way toward ethical compliance, as illustrated by the following examples.  Other codes of ethics will also be explored and compared.  Specific discussion topics include

• A summary of major ethical situations since 1903.
• Defining ethics as a foundation for a Code of Ethics.
• The relationships among the various Codes of Ethics.
• Ambiguities in definitions, such as “What does safe really mean?”
• Fukushima, The Village of Widows, Yellowknife gold mining leftovers and the recent Miami pedestrian bridge collapse.
• What does sustainable really mean, now that the word is becoming more popular?
• What is the basis of Ecofeminism?

Special Webinar Instructions

After payment, please visit this webinar page, click “Start Course” and fill out the Zoom Webinar Registration Form.  You’ll then be able to access the webinar slides, test your system and receive webinar reminders.  After completing the webinar requirements, your certificate of completion will be saved and available for download in your profile. We value your feedback! Please rate this webinar after completion.

Group Discounts Available