Engineering Ethics and Computer Ethics: Separated at Birth?

Brian M. O’ConnellCentral Connecticut State UniversityJoseph R. HerkertNorth Carolina State UniversityOver the past two decades, engineering ethics and computer ethics have emergedas identifiable fields of applied ethics. While some individuals have madecontributions to both fields, for the most part they have developed in the USAalong parallel, but separate paths. In previous presentations (O’Connell H 2001b) we have argued that material drawn from computer ethicsshould be standard fare in all engineering ethics treatments, not just those aimedspecifically at computer engineers and scientists. This conclusion emerges fromthe ever-expanding prominence of computer technology in both engineeringeducation and practice and the form of engineered products. As noted by WilliamWulf (1997), a University of Virginia Professor and President of the NationalAcademy of Engineering:The pervasive use of information technology in both the

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