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Internationalizing professional codes in engineering

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Abstract

Professional engineering societies which are based in the United States, such as the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME, now ASME International) are recognizing that their codes of ethics must apply to engineers working throughout the world. An examination of the ethical code of the ASME International shows that its provisions pose many problems of application, especially in societies outside the United States. In applying the codes effectively in the international environment, two principal issues must be addressed. First, some Culture Transcending Guidelines must be identified and justified. Nine such guidelines are identified. Second, some methods for applying the codes to particular situations must be identified. Three such methods are specification, balancing, and finding a creative middle way.

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Part of this article is based on chapter 10 in Engineering Ethics: Concepts and Cases 3rd edition by HARRIS/PRITCHARD/RABINS. © 2005. Reprinted with permission of Wadsworth, a division of Thomson Learning: www.thomsonrights.com. Fax 800 730-2215.

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Harris, C.E. Internationalizing professional codes in engineering. SCI ENG ETHICS 10, 503–521 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11948-004-0008-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11948-004-0008-6

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