Canons of Ethics for Engineers: 80 Years of Change

In Canons of Ethics for Engineers: 80 Years of Change, you'll learn ...

• The historical development and purpose of the Canons of Ethics for Engineers and how they evolved into the current NSPE Code of Ethics.
• The core principles of the NSPE Code of Ethics, including the fundamental canons, rules of practice, and professional obligations.
• Comparison of the 1946 Canons of Ethics to the modern Code, including key changes in areas such as public safety, sustainability, and professional responsibility.
• How technological, societal, and professional challenges—including AI, remote collaboration, and environmental stewardship—continue to shape ethical practice in engineering.

Overview

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Credit: 1 CPD

Length: 20 pages

In 1946, engineering societies coordinated and jointly prepared the Canons of Ethics for Engineers. This document became the current NSPE Code of Ethics for Engineers, which is a fundamental document guiding professional conduct for engineers of all disciplines. Although 80 years have passed, the majority of the canons are essentially the same.

This course covers the 1946 canons and the changes to them over the last 80 years. A timeline of changes is provided. Twelve significant changes are identified and discussed. Insights are provided as to the causes of these changes, such as cultural values, court rulings, lessons learned from engineering disasters, and technological advancements.

Reflections are provided on how the code of ethics may further evolve to address current issues such as the use of artificial intelligence in design, remote collaboration, social media, and technological advancements.

Specific Knowledge or Skill Obtained

This course teaches the following specific knowledge and skills:

• The origin and evolution of the Canons of Ethics for Engineers, from the 1946 Engineers’ Council for Professional Development document to the current NSPE Code of Ethics.
• The six fundamental canons, rules of practice, and professional obligations that govern the ethical responsibilities of engineers under the NSPE Code of Ethics.
• The historical events and engineering failures—such as the Quebec Bridge collapse and the Hyatt Regency walkway disaster—that shaped modern ethical standards for the engineering profession.
• Key differences between the 1946 Canons of Ethics and the current NSPE Code of Ethics, including changes in organization, language, and emphasis on public safety, sustainability, and professional development.
• How societal, technological, and legal factors—such as environmental awareness, globalization, and antitrust rulings—have influenced revisions to the Code of Ethics over time.
• Emerging ethical challenges associated with artificial intelligence, remote collaboration, social media, and digital technologies that may drive future updates to the Code of Ethics.
• Applying ethical principles and the NSPE Code of Ethics to real-world engineering situations to promote integrity, public safety, and professional accountability.

Certificate of Completion

You will be able to immediately print a certificate of completion after passing a multiple-choice quiz consisting of 10 questions. CPD credits are not awarded until the course is completed and quiz is passed.