Engineers are rarely in the spotlight unless and until a prominent failure occurs. Similarly, ethics typically does not generate headlines except in the aftermath of alleged misconduct, such as the manipulation of emissions testing by Volkswagen and the water crisis in Flint, Mich. Perhaps at least part of the problem is confusion about the nature of engineering ethics. Is it simply a set of rules to follow or a group of behaviors to avoid, over and above the technical aspects of the profession? Could there be more to ethics than that—maybe even something positive?
Of course, all engineers are familiar with the criteria documents that govern their work. For structural engineers like me, they include the International Building Code and its primary reference standards for minimum design loads, concrete and steel. Printed editions require a considerable amount of paper—nearly 4,000 pages just for these four publications—and other volumes provide requirements and guidance for additional materials and situations. Other disciplines of engineering are similar: The amount of relevant information is far beyond what any individual could reasonably be expected to memorize. As a result, engineers must regularly refer to such documents, which underlines their importance.