Evaluation of Engineering Dilemma

Ethical dilemma is a situation where a person is challenged by two opposing decisions. One of them may be right in two different circumstances. The ability to know what is right and what is wrong is often in conflict with the objective of ethical conduct. Ethical dilemma comes in various forms in our everyday activities. An environmental engineer who has a code of conduct in his/her career and the ethical dilemma in his/her line of work can alter either his/her moral principles or ethical conduct.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Evaluation of Engineering Dilemma specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More For example, an environmental engineer who has the mandate to publish a report on the possible health risks associated with citing an oil refinery in a community will be at dilemma with his/her ethics and moral values. The ethical code for the environmentalist is to make sure that the welfare of the environment is safe. In addition, if he/she foresees any obstacle to that rule, he/she is to alert the public and the government. There will be a clash of interest for the engineer who has an initial goal of providing a report that will suit his/her employer. On getting to the community, the engineer who carries out series of tests and surveys may notice that the soil has potential hazards for the host community; then the question is if the project should continue. Such a situation is seen as an ethical dilemma for the engineer. If he/she chooses to act right, he/she will violate the objective for which he/she was hired by his/her employer. The risk of being laid off or replaced with a competent environmentalist is obvious. Should the one be laid off, that person will have no derived gain because of his/her good decisions. In the above example, the engineer will definitely go ahead in publishing his/her report, either for or against his/her moral principle. Ethics is challenged with moral principle. An em ployer may even use financial gains to satisfy the employer’s interest in the report. Such a report may not include a full evaluation of the situation as it violates his/her ethical code of conduct. In taking such a decision, a person will have to consult with various agents and minds, and take his/her decision based on some conditions prevailing at that time. If there are incentives specified for such a position, it will be easier for the engineer to take a bold stand. However, in cases where there are no such arrangements, the engineer will go against his/her ethical code. Remember that whichever decision the engineer makes, it can be right and significant in his/her final report. In completing the assignment, an in-depth assessment of the location may be covered so as not to reveal the extent of damage. This situation is termed ethical dilemma. Sometimes, it means choosing between two rights, or even two wrongs. The engineer finally finishes his/her report with possible om issions of real facts, or the careful use of words that will not create tension to the already volatile situation.Advertising Looking for essay on ethics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More â€Å"I will ensure that my customer’s satisfaction comes first in my business† This is a statement of ethical conduct related to how an individual will carry out his/her business deals. By putting the customer’s satisfaction first, the seller will ensure that his/her goods and services meet their standard and satisfaction. However, an ethical dilemma may arise in the business clashing with personal interest. If the commodities purchased do not actually fit in the business, meet the existing standards or fall short of the desired quality. The individual is in clash with his/her ethics and moral obligation. However, the seller will not throw away bad goods but rather work hard to sell them. This situation becomes challengin g as he/she tries to sell the products and at the same time fight against his/her conscience. The person knows that the products are not genuine and of inferior quality but still continue to sell them, while providing false justifications of its authenticity. For any given market, the key to continuous stay in sales is profit. This can justify one’s actions as it relates to the ethical dilemma the one faces in business. The ability to make profit means that the person either buys using cheaper sources or sells at a high price. It can also be a combination of the two, which is buying it cheap and selling it high. Thus, the seller does not consider if the qualities of the commodities are sub-standard. What he/she looks at is the availability of the products and continuous presence in business. Nevertheless, this is an ethical dilemma because it is not in line with ethical codes of conduct. The individual will have to purely accept to do business with his/her customers without m oral principle in such a case. The essence of the ethical code is defeated. Therefore, the one has to lie about the standard of his/her commodities in order to remain in business. Ethical dilemma is said to be a conflict within our actions. This essay on Evaluation of Engineering Dilemma was written and submitted by user Joshua T. to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.