Engineering Ethics ENGR 001 – Sample
Assignment – Summer 2020
Question: Compare and contrast between the NSPE’s code of
ethics and that of your engineering major’s society.
Answer:
The National Society of Professional Engineers, NSPE for short, describes the
common objectives that every ethical engineer should adhere to. These objectives are
known as “the fundamental canons”. However, every engineering discipline has its
own society or organization whereby every engineer of that discipline could join it. In
addition, since all discipline are unique with respect to each other, it is no surprise that
every organization has its own interpretation of the fundamental canons. Moreover,
every society may edit or add any canon as it deems fit. Being a mechanical
engineering student, I should abide by the code of ethics of the American Society of
Mechanical Engineers, ASME for short. As result, this assignment discusses the
similarities and differences between the ASME’s code of ethics and that of the NSPE.
Before comparing/contrasting both codes, one should list the fundamental
canons defined by each society. They are present in Table 1.
Table 1 Fundamental Cannons of the NSPE and ASME
ASME NSPE
Engineers shall hold paramount the safety, Engineers, in the fulfillment of their
health, and welfare of the public in the professional duties, shall hold paramount
Fundamental Canons
performance of their professional duties the safety, health, and welfare of the public.
Engineers shall perform services only in the Engineers shall perform services only in
areas of their competence. areas of their competence.
Engineers shall continue their professional Engineers shall conduct themselves
development throughout their careers and honorably, responsibly, ethically, and
shall provide opportunities for the lawfully to enhance the honor, reputation,
professional and ethical development of and usefulness of the profession.
those engineers under their supervision.
Engineers shall issue public statements only Engineers shall act for each employer or
in an objective and truthful manner. client as faithful agents or trustees.
1
Assignment – Summer 2020
Question: Compare and contrast between the NSPE’s code of
ethics and that of your engineering major’s society.
Answer:
The National Society of Professional Engineers, NSPE for short, describes the
common objectives that every ethical engineer should adhere to. These objectives are
known as “the fundamental canons”. However, every engineering discipline has its
own society or organization whereby every engineer of that discipline could join it. In
addition, since all discipline are unique with respect to each other, it is no surprise that
every organization has its own interpretation of the fundamental canons. Moreover,
every society may edit or add any canon as it deems fit. Being a mechanical
engineering student, I should abide by the code of ethics of the American Society of
Mechanical Engineers, ASME for short. As result, this assignment discusses the
similarities and differences between the ASME’s code of ethics and that of the NSPE.
Before comparing/contrasting both codes, one should list the fundamental
canons defined by each society. They are present in Table 1.
Table 1 Fundamental Cannons of the NSPE and ASME
ASME NSPE
Engineers shall hold paramount the safety, Engineers, in the fulfillment of their
health, and welfare of the public in the professional duties, shall hold paramount
Fundamental Canons
performance of their professional duties the safety, health, and welfare of the public.
Engineers shall perform services only in the Engineers shall perform services only in
areas of their competence. areas of their competence.
Engineers shall continue their professional Engineers shall conduct themselves
development throughout their careers and honorably, responsibly, ethically, and
shall provide opportunities for the lawfully to enhance the honor, reputation,
professional and ethical development of and usefulness of the profession.
those engineers under their supervision.
Engineers shall issue public statements only Engineers shall act for each employer or
in an objective and truthful manner. client as faithful agents or trustees.
1
