- Engineers are not just technology specialists; professional engineers have ethical responsibilities to society and to humanity.
- Engineers are capable of bringing about major changes in the world. By aiming high, with feet on the ground, they can lead the way into the future.
In the late 1970s, the discipline of “Engineering Ethics” started to emerge; philosophers began to do research and teaching in this field. Professor Heinz C. Luegenbiehl is one of the pioneers and has been dedicating himself to this important subject ever since. When asked, “What kind of engineer should an engineering student aspire to be?” he answers as follows:
Today, in a world where the technology is advancing at dazzling speed, engineering is playing an unprecedented prominent role in pushing society forward, and this makes the need for engineering ethics increasingly significant. Many people consider “engineering” as merely a technical activity, whose function is to satisfy the demands of the society and to serve others. Even engineers themselves often do not recognize that they can actively determine the future of the world like the politicians or exert a big social impact like celebrities. They fail to realize that they in fact have a vast amount of power through which they are able to make dreams come true and shape the way people live as never before. Correspondingly, this means today engineers also bear a formidable responsibility; a tiny error on their part can affect the lives of millions of people. There have been a number of such incidents recently, and so Western thinkers have tried to draw lessons from them during the past 30 years.
Undoubtedly, the vast majority of engineers are upholders of the engineering ethics, with its prime focus on the safety of the public. It is tragic that some would try to reach their goals by any means, with disregard of their social responsibility or for people’s lives. Therefore, engineers and students should be taught to adhere to professional ethics and to be responsible in their research, invention, and production.
One could ask, “What is the difference between scientists and engineers?” and one answer would be, “Scientists study what the world is, while engineers create things that have not existed before.” However, scientists cannot just study in the ivory tower, and engineer cannot just bury themselves in the lab tinkering. They have to open their eyes to the outside world.
Today, with many people content with their comfortable living environment, what should an engineer do next? When so many people are complacent with their smart phones and internet technology, it is time for engineers to bring about changes. There are still millions of people suffering in poverty and misery; it is the social responsibility of engineers to improve people’s living condition and to help make this world a better place.
The students educated at the Joint Institute will become not only qualified engineers but also responsible and idealistic leaders. At this historical juncture, China is flapping her wings and ready to soar, and the JI students will be on the front line in leading China to a bright future.
Prof. Heinz C. Luegenbiehl holds a Ph.D. of Philosophy from Purdue University. Before joining JI, he was Professor of Philosophy and Technology Studies at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, USA.
