Safety of Humankind and Engineering Ethics Research Paper

Introduction: When the Pressure Is too High

Ethics is definitely not the first thing that comes to one’s mind when it comes to talking about engineering. The latter will be related rather to the progress, the scientific potential and the world development. However, in the daily routine of engineering, ethics plays a considerable part, which the recent event proves, making it a case for another discussion of the importance of ethics in engineering.

According to the National Society of Professional Engineers, one of the key concerns of the latter must be the well-being of people and the environment in relation to the engineers’ work. However, the case which occurred in 2008 challenged the principles of engineering ethics, posing a threat to the entire humankind with the “robot weapons” (Dean, 2008) and human-induced climate change.

The World Safety and an Individual: Depending on a Nanoflake

Despite the fact that at present, the researches on the issue of nanoflakes, which is bound to trigger the production of robotic machines which can presumably have their own AI, has become considerably less sensational, the concern for the changes which the use of nanoflakes is going to bring is still huge. As Dean (2008) claims, “It leaves the door open for people to do something that is going to cause long-term problems.” Indeed, without knowing well what effect the use of this or that strategy is going to have, one is highly likely to make a mistake that will change the life of every individual, making each feel that their life is highly dependable on every step of the engineers.

The World Safety and the Company: Engineering Wisely

It is obvious that making an individual’s safety unstable, the given aspect of engineering ethics also poses a considerable threat to the entire world. Once the projects get out of hand, the effects are going to be drastic.

The World Safety and the Society: The Word on the Street

In addition, the lack of stability within the country will lead to an unstable society. Losing the certainty about its safety, society will disintegrate into a bunch of anxious people.

The World Safety and Engineering: More than a Profession

In addition, the given ethical concern also makes one take a different perspective of engineering as a profession. According to Poel & Goldberg (2009), “Engineering is the transformation of the natural world, using scientific principles and mathematics, in order to achieve some desired practical end” (153). Thus, while previously, engineering was considered a means to bring certain innovations into the world, with the new approaches and discoveries, engineering has become more like stretching the boundaries of human possibilities.

Conclusion: Bearing the Burden of Responsibility

Therefore, it goes without saying that further experiments are necessary for progress. Without new discoveries, new developments and new approaches to the old problems, the world will not be able to survive in the rapidly changing environment. However, it is still important to keep an eye on how the newly developed technologies affect people, what threats they cause or can possibly cause, as well as what consequences these developments are going to trigger. Once following the engineer principles of world safety when creating new means to solve the old-time problem, one can make the world a better place.

Reference List

Dean, C. (2008). Handle with care. Web.

Poel, I. van de, & Goldberg, D. E. (2009). Philosophy and engineering. New York City, NY: Springer.