Engineering ethics: on the way to new outlook

Inmodern philosophy the tendency of expansion and deepening of ethical knowledge is traced. Process of differentiation of morals generatesnew ethical questions, which have not still been answered. Among the variety of moral problems, we focus attention on engineeringethics. By consideration of the presented problem, according to the author, the first difficulty which is necessary to be faced, consists inthe lack of designation of the sufficient fundamental bases for development of positions of engineering ethics. As specialized beginningof coordinates in the article it is offered to use two complementary positions: social-ethical and existential. The social-ethical paradigmassumes understanding of engineering ethics as a projection phenomenon of social morals on professional work. For the deep analysisof the concept of engineering ethics we address to the second initial position. It originates from the engineering nature, from vital circumstances,which make demands to the character of engineering activity. The author is assured that every year the social role of anengineer increases and requirements to engineering projects raise. Settlement of the process of creation of technics and requirementswhich are made to the result is carried out, according to the author, due to engineers uniting into professional communities. Creation ofsuch communities helps engineers in the process of satisfaction of their intellectual requirements, and protection of material interests.Engineering makes direct and live impact on quality of life for all people; therefore acts of engineers demand honesty, impartiality, justiceand effectiveness. Actions of engineers should be directed at protection of health, safety and well-being of people. An engineer is afigure socially responsible for results of his/her own activity. Acts of engineers, their work are the direct tools of influence on human lifeand environment, and any engineering project should not contradict the norms of professional morals. In the course of working out ofthe concept of engineering ethics, the key role of practical moral philosophy belongs to the change of engineering outlook. Just as deontologyis the practice socializing doctors, engineering ethics, the author considers, will become a link between the technical communityand the society. Ethics of technical activity, on the one hand, is caused by differentiation of absolute morals, on the other, the challengesof the technical reality, eventually, will establish the effective mechanisms of interaction for all parties of scientific and technicalprogress (engineering, the person and the nature) directed at harmonious coexistence of the person, the machine and environment.

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