Engineering Ethics and Computer Ethics Twins Separated at Birth.pdfVIP

Techné 8:1 Fall 2004 O’Connell Herkert, Twins Separated at Birth? / 36 Engineering Ethics and Computer Ethics: Twins Separated at Birth? Brian M. O’Connell Central Connecticut State University Joseph R. Herkert North Carolina State University Over the past two decades, engineering ethics and computer ethics have emerged as identifiable fields of applied ethics. While some individuals have made contributions to both fields, for the most part they have developed in the USA along parallel, but separate paths. In previous presentations (O’Connell Herkert 2001a; 2001b) we have argued that material drawn from computer ethics should be standard fare in all engineering ethics treatments, not just those aimed specifically at computer engineers and scientists. This conclusion emerges from the ever-expanding prominence of computer technology in both engineering education and practice and the form of engineered products. As noted by William Wulf (1997), a University of Virginia Professor and President of the National Academy of Engineering: The pervasive use of information technology in both the products and process of engineering …has the potential to change the practice of engineering significantly, and hence the education required to be an engineer…As the power of computers…increases exponentially, more and more routine engineering functions will be codified and done by computers, simultaneously freeing the engineer from drudgery and demanding a higher level of creativity, knowledge, and skill. [emphasis added] The importance of social