Enroll Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/ethics-technology-engineering
In today’s rapidly evolving technological landscape, the intersection of ethics and engineering has never been more critical. The course ‘Ethics, Technology and Engineering’ on Coursera addresses this pressing need by equipping engineers with the necessary tools to navigate ethical dilemmas in their professional lives.
Course Overview
This course emphasizes the importance of ethical considerations in engineering practices. As outlined by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET), engineers are expected not only to perform their duties competently but also to understand the broader social implications of their work. This course provides a comprehensive framework for understanding these responsibilities.
Syllabus Highlights
- Introduction: The course kicks off with a compelling video featuring Micaela dos Ramos, who highlights the relevance of ethics in engineering.
- The Responsibility of Engineers: This module delves into the concept of responsibility, distinguishing between passive and active responsibility, and discusses the implications of professional responsibility, including whistle-blowing.
- Codes of Conduct: Here, students explore the role of professional and corporate codes of conduct, examining their structure, content, and common criticisms.
- Normative Ethics: This module introduces ethical theories such as consequentialism, duty ethics, and virtue ethics, providing a normative framework for moral decision-making.
- The Ethical Cycle: Students learn about a systematic approach to moral judgment, emphasizing the complexity of ethical decision-making.
- Ethical Questions in Technology Design: This section discusses the ethical implications of design choices and the importance of testing and certification.
- Designing Morality: The course explores how technological artefacts can embody moral values and the concept of ‘technological mediation.’
- Ethical Aspects of Technological Risks: This module addresses the moral issues surrounding technological risks and the methods for assessing them.
- Distribution of Responsibility: Students examine how responsibility is distributed in engineering contexts and the moral implications of this distribution.
Final Thoughts
The ‘Ethics, Technology and Engineering’ course is an invaluable resource for current and aspiring engineers. It not only provides theoretical knowledge but also practical frameworks for addressing ethical dilemmas in real-world scenarios. By the end of the course, participants will be better equipped to make informed, ethical decisions in their engineering practices.
Whether you’re a seasoned engineer or just starting your career, this course is highly recommended for anyone looking to deepen their understanding of the ethical dimensions of technology and engineering.
Enroll Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/ethics-technology-engineering