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Science and Engineering Ethics--SEE
by Caroline Whitbeck
Philosophy Department,
Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Department
Case Western Reserve University
PHIL 304/404
Humanities and GER sequence credit*
About this Course
This course prepares students to recognize ethical issues in science and engineering ethics, the recent history of that discussion in the United Staes and elsewhere, the institutional supports for ethical behavior, and the ethical problems that the new measures and institutional supports seek to address.
The course will address larger questions such as: What are the ethical problems that science and engineering ethics seeks to address. What conditions give rise to them? How are they been formulated, and why are they formulated as they are? We will also address more specific questions such as: The criteria for fairness in crediting contributions to research? How do scientists and engineers understand their responsibilities? What is a profession and is research a profession? What is negligence in science and engineering practice and research? What is research misconduct? When is ignorance culpable? What is intellectual property and what protections does it deserve? What are responsible ways of raising concerns, and what supports to good organizations give for raising concerns? What treatment counts as harassment or as an expression of prejudice. What are good means for controlling them? What responsibilities for environmental protection do engineers and scientists have? What is a "conflict of interest" and how is it controlled?
Open to Seniors, and Graduate Students and to those Sophomores and Juniors who have taken PHIL 101 or PHIL205 or by permission of the Instructor.
*PHIL 304 (with PHIL 101, 102 or 205) may be used to satisfy the GER sequence requirement in History, Philosophy, and Religion. Proposal to make 205 & 304 also consitute an approved sequence in History, Philosophy, and Religion sequence.
Text:
Ethics in Engineering Practice and Research. New York: Cambridge University Press, 1998.
Appendix: Philosophical Ethics and Practical Ethics
Office Hours:
Tues. and Thurs., 11:15-11:45, Wed., 1:30 - 2 and by appointment.
About this Course Web Site:
These pages contain supplementary materials for this course. Sections are explained briefly:
- Online Ethics Center:
- Students will find many of their reading assignments in the Online Ethics Center for Engineering and Science (DEC). The OEC's mission is to provide engineers, scientists, and science and engineering students with resources useful for understanding and addressing ethically significant problems that arise in their work, and to serve those who are promoting learning and advancing understanding of responsible practice in engineering and science.
For further information about the OEC, see About This Site in the OEC. See also capsule review of the OEC by the National Science Foundation
- Policies:
- Course policies and administrative issues will be posted on these pages. It is your responsibility to read these policies and to adhere to them. Please consult with your instructor, if you have any questions about the policies of this course.
- Syllabus:
- Although you will be given a printed copy of the course schedule, all events and assignments will also be available online. Changes may be made during the progression of the semester.
- Projects:
- Outlines one form for the final project for this course that is suitable for science and engineering students. students majoring in the history and philosophy of science, philosophy, and bioethics will develop their project/papers topics worked out with the instructor. This final project may combine ethical reflection with empirical investigation in a mix that is appropriate to your topic and your interests.
- Web Forum:
- Much like an online bulletin-board, this section uses Web-conferencing software to facilitate discussions from any browser. Some of your assignments may require that you post materials or respond to messages posted by your peers.
Submit questions about this course to:
Caroline Whitbeck, Director
Online Ethics Center for Engineering & Science
Philosophy Department, Clark Hall 211
Case Western Reserve University
Cleveland, Ohio 44106-7119
216-368-2810
email: cwhitbeck@onlineethics.org