discussion for henry's daughter
National Institute for Engineering Ethics New Movie
Henry’s Daughters ©2010
NIEE produced Henry’s Daughters to raise awareness of the ethical aspects of engineering work, advance knowledge and understanding of professional standards and public obligations and expectations, improve skills in moral reasoning, and strengthen personal dedication to exemplary conduct.
Executive Producers were Joseph Herkert, Michael Loui, William Marcy, Steven Nichols, and Jimmy Smith. The entire NIEE Executive Board members served as Senior Investigators and Technical Advisors.
Discussion Questions
Professional Issues
1. Are there ethical implications to Henry, a lobbyist, hosting the senator on his expensive yacht?
2. Is there a legal or ethical limit to the level at which Henry should host the senator?
3. Is there an accepted code of practice or ethics for lobbyists? If not, suggest a few ethical statements for lobbyists.
4. Was it ethical for Henry to pull strings to get Julie her internship?
5. To what extent should engineers consider the political factors and social impacts to their engineering work?
Ethics and New Technology Issues
6. What are the responsibilities of engineers when developing new technologies whose risks are difficult to foresee?
7. If GUIDME has the “best” technology, why should cost and other factors matter?
8. Because the experience base for a new technology is limited, it is difficult to write technical specifications. If engineers believe that the specifications are inadequate for future needs, should they recommend a system with characteristics exceeding those specifications?
Conflict of Interest
9. Was it appropriate for Henry and his daughters to work on the same project for different parties?
10. How should Laura and Henry have handled their apparent conflict of interest?
11. How should Laura and Julie have handled their apparent conflict of interest?
12. Was Laura given the project because of her engineering talents and work ethic or
Henry’s Daughters ©2010
NIEE produced Henry’s Daughters to raise awareness of the ethical aspects of engineering work, advance knowledge and understanding of professional standards and public obligations and expectations, improve skills in moral reasoning, and strengthen personal dedication to exemplary conduct.
Executive Producers were Joseph Herkert, Michael Loui, William Marcy, Steven Nichols, and Jimmy Smith. The entire NIEE Executive Board members served as Senior Investigators and Technical Advisors.
Discussion Questions
Professional Issues
1. Are there ethical implications to Henry, a lobbyist, hosting the senator on his expensive yacht?
2. Is there a legal or ethical limit to the level at which Henry should host the senator?
3. Is there an accepted code of practice or ethics for lobbyists? If not, suggest a few ethical statements for lobbyists.
4. Was it ethical for Henry to pull strings to get Julie her internship?
5. To what extent should engineers consider the political factors and social impacts to their engineering work?
Ethics and New Technology Issues
6. What are the responsibilities of engineers when developing new technologies whose risks are difficult to foresee?
7. If GUIDME has the “best” technology, why should cost and other factors matter?
8. Because the experience base for a new technology is limited, it is difficult to write technical specifications. If engineers believe that the specifications are inadequate for future needs, should they recommend a system with characteristics exceeding those specifications?
Conflict of Interest
9. Was it appropriate for Henry and his daughters to work on the same project for different parties?
10. How should Laura and Henry have handled their apparent conflict of interest?
11. How should Laura and Julie have handled their apparent conflict of interest?
12. Was Laura given the project because of her engineering talents and work ethic or