The professional rights of engineers

A great deal of the literature in the field of “engineering ethics” concerns itself with the duties and professional responsibilities which engineers owe to clients, colleagues, employers, and society, or with case histories of their failures to adequately satisfy these duties and responsibilities. From the point of view of the engineering profession this is, of course, understandable given the importance which it places on practicing according to the standards laid down in its codes of ethics (in various versions). It is reasonable too, from the wider perspective of the public interest. Professional authority, if abused, can adversely affect the interests of society and this may undermine public confidence in a profession and its practitioners. Thus, it is important that professionals acknowledge their duties and proper that much of the discussion of the ethics of engineers focus on professional responsibilities.