Technology and Ethics for Engineering Students文档.pdf

BULLETIN2000Varma / TECHNOLOGY AND ETHICSOF SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY SOCIETY / June General Article Technology and Ethics for Engineering Students Roli Varma University of New Mexico Many engineering schools still do not allocate so that future engineers can develop sensitivity to enough resources to the process of understanding the socially related technical problems and an understand- social and ethical dimensions of scientific and techno- ing of the ethical characteristics surrounding the engi- logical activities. This article argues that engineering neering profession and practice. curriculum in the United States should include courses However, many of the electives engineering stu- that use theories and concepts from humanities and so- dents could opt for to gain comprehensive knowledge cial sciences to study issues confronting the engineer- related to their profession are not offered in several ing profession. On the theoretical front, engineering institutions. For instance, technical writing and com- students need to understand favorable and unfavor- munication courses are limited in the areas of intensive able consequences of technology-based progress, social writing and oral presentation material pertaining to and political qualities of technological designs, and engineering topics. A centralized ethics course, which the moral challenge posed by the new technologies of would engage all engineering students in a common the 21st century. On the practical front, they need to be discussion of ethics in the field, is yet to evolve. If prepared for industrial and governmental jobs, which