What are the main ethical principles an engineer should follow in professional practice?

In one line

Ethical principles are the basic rules of right conduct, such as integrity, honesty, fairness, respect, responsibility, confidentiality and, above all, protecting public safety, that guide professional decisions.

Explained simply

A bridge engineer's calculation affects thousands of people who will never meet her. That is why engineering ethics put public safety first: your work affects lives far beyond your office.

Technically, ethical principles are general standards from moral philosophy and professional codes. Engineering codes of ethics (for example those of professional engineering bodies) commonly require engineers to hold paramount the safety, health and welfare of the public.

How it works

1. Public safety and welfare first: never approve unsafe designs; report hazards.
2. Integrity: act consistently with your values and commitments.
3. Honesty and truthfulness: accurate reports, data and claims.
4. Fairness and justice: impartial treatment, no discrimination, fair competition.
5. Respect for persons: dignity, privacy and rights of colleagues, users and the public.
6. Responsibility and accountability: own your work and its consequences; admit and correct errors.
7. Beneficence and non-maleficence: do good and avoid causing harm.
8. Confidentiality: protect employer and client information unless public safety requires disclosure.
9. Competence: work only in areas where you are qualified; keep learning.
10. Avoid conflicts of interest and bribery; disclose any that arise.
11. Respect for law and the environment: comply with regulations, consider sustainability.

Quick example

A software engineer at a health-app company is asked to release an update quickly, though a known bug sometimes shows wrong medicine dosages. Principles involved: public safety (wrong dose could harm users), honesty (users trust the data), responsibility (she knows of the bug). The ethical action is to inform her manager in writing, recommend fixing the bug before release, and, if ignored, escalate through proper channels.

Common mistakes

• Listing principles without explaining them or giving any example.
• Forgetting public safety, the principle most emphasised in engineering ethics.
• Treating confidentiality as absolute, even when public safety is at risk.

How MU asks it

Asked as 'Explain any five ethical principles' or 'What ethical principles must an engineer follow?' (5 to 6 marks). Name each principle, give a one-line meaning and a short engineering example; emphasise public safety and accountability.