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Understanding Engineering Professionalism: A Reflection on the Rights of Engineers

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Abstract

Engineering societies such as the National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE) and associated entities have defined engineering and professionalism in such a way as to require the benefit of humanity (NSPE 2009a, Engineering Education Resource Document. NSPE Position Statements. Governmental Relations). This requirement has been an unnecessary and unfortunate “add-on.” The trend of the profession to favor the idea of requiring the benefit of humanity for professionalism violates an engineer’s rights. It applies political pressure that dissuades from inquiry, approaches to new knowledge and technologies, and the presentation, publication, and use of designs and research findings. Moreover, a more politically neutral definition of engineering and/or professionalism devoid of required service or benefit to mankind does not violate adherence to strong ethical standards.

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Notes

  1. The title ‘engineer’ is protected in Quebec. I am grateful to a reviewer for Science and Engineering Ethics for pointing this out. See Professional Code. Govt. of Quebec. http://www2.publicationsduquebec.gouv.qc.ca/dynamicSearch/telecharge.php?type=2&file=%2F%2FC_26%2FC26_A.htm. Accessed 17 August 2009.

  2. The 1828 definition of engineering, given by Thomas Tredgold a member of the British Institution of Civil Engineers (Davis 1998, p. 15), speaks of “directing the great sources of power in nature for the use and convenience of man.” A 1961 definition changes this to “Civil engineering is the profession in which a knowledge of the mathematical and physical sciences gained by study, experience, and practice is applied with judgment to develop ways to utilize, economically, the materials and forces of nature for the progressive well-being of humanity…”. See History and heritage of civil engineering. American Society of Civil Engineers. http://live.asce.org/hh/index.mxml?versionChecked=true. Accessed 19 August 2009. The earliest reference I have been able to find for the current definition (1979) changes ‘well-being of humanity’ to “for the benefit of mankind.” No doubt this was later changed to “for the benefit of humankind” to avoid sexist language. See Famous engineering quotes. Office of Recruitment and Retention. University of South Florida. http://rnr.eng.usf.edu/. Accessed 19 August 2009.

  3. Chesher and Machan write that business “is the only profession that is asked to repeatedly redeem itself” (viii). However, this is clearly not the case. Doctors, lawyers and engineers are frequently judged on their ability to benefit humanity.

  4. I have used this analogy in a published essay but cannot find the source.

  5. I thank a reviewer from Science and Engineering Ethics for this near direct quote.

  6. The NSPE has amended its code of ethics to read III.2.d: “Engineers are encouraged to adhere to the principles of sustainable development in order to protect the environment for future generations.” See http://www.nspe.org/Ethics/CodeofEthics/CodeHistory/historyofcode.html. It is not known in what sense this “encouragement” is a requirement, what exactly meets the principles of sustainable development, nor what is to be done with engineers who do not meet the principles.

  7. Again, I thank a reviewer from Science and Engineering Ethics for these questions including some of the wording.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of English and Philosophy, Drexel University, MacAlister Hall, Room 5055, Philadelphia, PA, USA

    James A. Stieb

  2. College of Arts and Sciences, Drexel University, 3141 Chestnut St, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA

    James A. Stieb

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Stieb, J.A. Understanding Engineering Professionalism: A Reflection on the Rights of Engineers. Sci Eng Ethics 17, 149–169 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11948-009-9166-x

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