A Phenomenological Approach to Ethics Education

ABSTRACT: As a subject of education, Ethics in Engineering is very different from other topics in engineering curricula. Students find it difficult to see how an ethics course could improve their engineering skills. Therefore, it is important to keep the ethics courses closely connected with their engineering education. One practical approach that might stimulate the interest of students is to start with practical questions. Why should we be interested in professional ethics? Who benefits and how from there being a high ethical level in the engineering profession? These ‘phenomenological ’ questions immediately lead to important practical aspects of professional ethics that should not be ignored by any practising engineer. The students can realise that professional ethics is not just academic interest in eternal religious or metaphysical concepts but part of the hard core of the profession. Following this idea, an introductory course on professional ethics can be started with the observation that, for a respectable profession, ethical and moral legitimacy is as important as the scientific basis of knowledge and skills. This is why, in the 19th century, the first codes of conduct were written. In the turmoil of today’s global business world, a high level of professional morality is more important than ever.