1-24. Describe briefly the two general perspectives for dealing with ethical problems.
The two general perspectives for dealing with ethical problems include those focusing on the act and
those focusing on the consequences of the act. Regarding the first of these two perspectives, one would be
expected make decisions based upon the analysis of moral behavior and not deviate from them. This
theory considers only the act and whether or not it is ethical, regardless of the consequences. The latter of
these perspectives is sometimes referred to as utilitarianism and takes into account the consequences of
the action and the pleasure and pain induced because of the action. Basically, the ethical decision is that
which creates the greatest benefit to the greatest amount of people.
1-25. When it became known that a new process planned for a chemical plant was expected
to produce a highly toxic waste, a plant environmental engineer wrote to the city newspaper
expressing opposition to the action. Under what circumstances would the engineer's action be legal
and/or ethical?
[Note: Engineering ethics is an extremely complex area and this question should be used to promote class
discussion. There is insufficient information in the stated question and the student will have to make a
number of assumptions. The authors have observed that these discussions are more effective if the
students come in with written answers to questions such as this]
The question seems to imply that "bad faith" between the chemical company and the community. If this is
in fact true, a plant environmental engineer would be well advised to attempt to convince plant
management that they should be more forthcoming and present their plans to the public in a well designed
public information program. In the U. S., under the "Community Right to Know" provisions of SARA
(see p. 55), communities have a right to know not only what wastes will be generated, but also what
chemicals are present on the plant site.
Another inference that might be made from the problem statement is that there will be releases of
hazardous waste and there will be potential public health implications associated with these releases. If
this is the case, and the company intends to attempt to somehow keep this secret, the plant environmental
engineer (and others in management) clearly have an ethical problem and may be in violation of criminal
laws as well. (e.g. see the discussion of knowing endangerment on p. 48)