Sandler's Complement to NSPE Code of Ethics

"What software engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, civil engineering, and genetic engineering have in common in virtue of which they are each a variety of engineering is that they involve the creation and application of technology to address some problem or overcome some barrier. Engineers make use of scientific and mathematical knowledge to devise technological solutions." (Sandler, Pg 6)

        In an article written by Ronald Sandler, titled "Value Sensitive Design and Nanotechnology," Sandler exclaims the strong correlation between how engineering shapes society and vice versa. The article is a clear complement to the NSPE Code of Ethics for Engineers; the fact that engineering plays such a heavy role in society makes it even more critical to follow the fundamental canons:

"I. Fundamental Canons

Engineers, in the fulfillment of their professional duties, shall:

1. Hold paramount the safety, health, and welfare of the public.
2. Perform services only in areas of their competence.
3. Issue public statements only in an objective and truthful manner.
4. Act for each employer or client as faithful agents or trustees.
5. Avoid deceptive acts.
6. Conduct themselves honorably, responsibly, ethically, and lawfully so as to enhance the honor, reputation, and usefulness of the profession."

(NSPE Code of Ethics, Fundamental Canons)

Since the point of engineering is to solve problems in society, having a code of ethics-- holding safety and welfare of the public paramount, restricting deceptive acts, and assuring you are working in a way which benefits not only you, but those who you ar working for-- is completely necessary. 

        Quoting the NSPE Code of Ethics directly, "Engineers shall at all times strive to serve the public interest" (NSPE Code of Ethics, III.2). This is clearly complemented by sandler in that he writes of the requirement of an engineer to choose to address a topic which must be addressed based on societies needs, and that they must be addressed in such a way which the public may find convenient and may contribute to relevant societal values: "Engineering is value sensitive when the full range of relevant values—economic, ecological, and social—inform design choices" (Sandler, Pg 4).

Value Sensitive Design

        Furthermore, Sandler speaks about Value Sensitive Design and the choices engineers must make:

"People rarely choose goals that are despicable. Most people, most of the time, choose things because they believe they are valuable or desirable. Engineers are no exception." (Sandler Pg  12)

Value Sensitive Design in itself is the changing and determination of how an engineer will design something to fit current societal values. This is critical since a design may be virtually worthless if there is either no need for it, or it is gravely inconvenient and therefore not accepted as a true "solution" for a problem.

        In order for an engineer to choose a design, it is necessary to first ponder multiple questions. For example, say an engineer was trying to come up with a design for plastic bottles for a bottled water company. The problem he was trying to address would be cost efficiency. Sandler's list of questions for consideration hold strong in this case:

1. Who would (and who would not) be benefitted or advantaged by solving this problem?
2. How large a benefit or advantage would it be?
3. Are there other problems that might be addressed using these resources, which would benefit more people, people who are worse off, or would confer a greater benefit?
4. Would this address the cause of the problem or would it treat the problems effects?
5. Are there other, perhaps even less technologically sophisticated, approaches to addressing the problem that might be more effective, efficient, or likely to succeed?
6. Would anyone be disadvantaged or made worse off if this problem were solved?

(Sandler, Pg 17)

It would be necessary for the engineer with the design for the water bottle to keep these questions in mind when going about solvng his problem. Is it possible for the change in water bottle design to benefit both the company and society? If possible, this would be premium. Is it possible to cut costs while addressing other problems, such as environmental issues, or overall aesthetics of the product? Is the proper method to change the way the bottle is shaped and how much material is used in each bottle, or perhaps to change the material the bottle is made with?

        Even moreso, the problem itself is difficult to keep in mind when encountering so many other important factors; the engineer would still have to keep so many other factors in mind, such as the amount of plastic necessary to have a stable, sturdy bottle, the minimum size of the cap, the material used to wrap the company name aruond the bottle, the shape of the bottom. The introduction of these factors bring about even more problems and make clear that you cannot go about addressing one problem without encountering its relationship to other problems; does cutting costs have some adverse affect on bottle aesthetics, customer satisfaction with the product, product stability?

        In order to make any decision about engineering design, the engineer must take into account multiple factors regarding the topic-- including the designs current and future value to society-- and through the process of critical thinking eventually come up with the rough draft for said design.