Preparation hints for Religion 491/492 Final Exam - Fall Semester, 1996
Our Ethical Basis:
Review the "ideals" that we studied - particularly consider how these ideals relate to ethical engineering practice
Our Ethical Rules:
Have the principles and cannons of the ASCE Code of ethics committed to memory
Things we have Studied since Last Exam:
Thoroughly read and be familiar with the points of the readings since the last exam, The Special Responsibility of Engineers
Societal Obligations in a Technological Society
59 Story Crises
Public vs. Client Interests - An Ethical Dilemma for Engineers
Ethics in the Field
Its the Law, but is it Ethical?
Espirit de Corps and Professional Behavior
The Power of Ethical Management
Consider the ethical dilemmas and/or the moral messages provided by:
The Videos:
The truth about lies
The Truesteel Affair
Gilbane Gold
59 Story Crisis
A Man for All Seasons or Bridge on the River Kwai
The Special Guests:
Dean Douglas Chabries
Elder H. Burke Peterson
Lee Wimmer
John Tanner
Walt Jones
Be prepared to evaluate a "Case Study"
Application of Basis and Rules -- Ethical Models:
Adapted Franklin Reality Model -
Power of Ethical Management Model: Is it Legal, Is it Balanced, Do I feel good about it
Texas Tech Model:
Dilemmas force hard moral choices. They cause us to deal with values. If we are going to deal with dilemmas in anorganized manner that allows us to explain and defend our decisions and not start from ground zero with each new problem, we need to:
Think about what we mean by such terms as good, bad, right, wrong, and necessary.
Consider, at the most general level, what kinds of actions are morally permissible. Is war ever justified? Can a price tag -- any price tag -- be put on human life? Is it ever permissible to eliminate a species?
Bring the general and theoretical to specifics which relate to the here and now of the real world. Is capital punishment a moral way to deal with those who are guilty of murder? Was the Persian Gulf War justified? Was it morally permissible to drop atomic bombs to end World War II?
This process allows us to get in our minds clear ideas about what is right and wrong and helps us to decide what to do in other cases. Then we have to make important distinctions. We have to distinguish between:
Conventional and Reflective Morality - Is what we have always done what we ought to do?
Morality and Law - Just because it is legal, is it right?
Morality and Prudence - Can we morally do it, just because it is in our best interest?
Morality and Economics - Is the most economic decision the most moral decision?
Morality and Obedience to Authority - Is following orders that are not proper a legal or a moral defense?
Morality and Mere Opinion - Are you obligated to search further for a reason to justify actions than mere
opinion?
This takes you back to the start of the list and the considerations of what morality really means
Religion 491/492
Final Exam
Dec 19 , 1997
Closed Book/Closed Notes Exam - Time Limit 3 hr. Be sure to write neatly and use good English in your written answers. Do not discuss the contents of this exam with others.
_______________________ ______________________
Name Score
1. (2) What parallels were there between William Lemessirue's experience in the 59 story crises and Walt Jones' experience with the coal slot storage facility.
2. (2) It the article "Espirit de Corps and Professional Behavior" the author quotes Dante "The hottest places in hell are reserved for those who, in a period of moral crisis, maintain their neutrality." Do you feel Sir Thomas Moore is in a hot place in hell for his actions as portrayed in "A Man for All Seasons?"
3. (6) Assume you were ask to develop a textbook for the study of engineering ethics. Prepare a Table of Contents listing the sections you think would be appropriate and a short paragraph describing what each chapter should contain.
4. (6) Prepare an Ethical Model that you believe depicts elements of ethical engineering behavior.
5. (6) Case Study
Develop a case study, related to an engineering situation, that has a conflict between being legal, being ethical, and being moral. Summarize the case by presenting what you think is the proper response for the situation. Be as original as you can - in other words, don't just repeat a case that we have studied however you can use things that you have learned from the cases studied this semester to develop your case.
6. (6) Prepare a personal mission statement for your ethical engineering behavior
7. (1) Complete the blue evaluation sheet and turn it in - no names on it please.
8. (1) In the table below, score problems 1 through 8 if the score you feel you deserve. I will provide my score and take the average for what will be used to score the final
Prob # Possible Score My Score Professor Score Final Score
1 2
2 2
3 6
4 6
5 6
6 6
7 1
8 1
Total 30
Evaluate the following aspects of Religion 491/492, Winter Semester 1996 as to how you felt it positively effected your understanding and desire to practice the highest plane of ethical engineering behavior.
1= no effect, shouldn't be used in this class
4 = Don't know
7 = very meaningful to me
1. Readings from "Christ's Ideals for Living" 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
2. Visit by Dean Chabries 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
3. Visit by Elder Peterson 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
4. Visit by Lee Wimmer 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
5. Visit by Walt Jones 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
6. Paper on "When does the End Justify the Means" 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
7. Personal application paper 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
8. Paper on "Personal Responsibility and the
Common Good" 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
9. Writing a "Closure Report" 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
10. Compiling a Journal 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
11. 59 Story Crisis Video 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
12. Man for All Seasons Video 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
13. Bridge on the River Kwai Video 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
14. Truth about Lies Video 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
15. Elder Scott's Video 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
16. "The Power of Ethical Management" paperback 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
16. Receiving points for attendance 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
17. Receiving points for participation 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
18. Study of Codes of Ethics 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
19. Case Studies individually reviewed computer network 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
20. Case Studies discussed in class by teams 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Using the same scale, respond with your gut feel to the following:
1. Providing all of the readings in electronic format on
the CAEDM net 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
2. Using a "Newsgroup" for discussion in support of inclass
discussion 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Do you have any suggestions that you believe would make this class a better learning experience?