Engineering Ethics Report: VW Defeat Device and its Implications

This report addresses the ethical dilemma faced by a junior engineer asked to participate in the design and installation of a defeat device at VW, in the context of the Dieselgate scandal. The analysis employs deontological and consequential ethical frameworks to evaluate the morality of such actions, considering the impact on stakeholders including customers, society, investors, and the environment. The report emphasizes the negative consequences of the defeat device, such as environmental pollution, health risks, and damage to the company's reputation. It further underscores the importance of sustainable development and the responsibility to protect future generations. The author concludes that, as a responsible engineer prioritizing the common good, they would not participate in the project, and would advise VW to develop a more ethical alternative.

ETHICAL ENGINEERING
Name
Course
Date of Submission

Introduction
Ethic is anything related to morality and establishes what is right or wrong permitted or
desirable with respect to action or decision. Therefore, in any organization or sector there are
ethics code which set the rules that govern the behavior of individuals within it. In engineering,
an engineer is expected to practice their profession with the dignity and honor befitting their
special status as a professional, respecting the moral integrity of; customers, society, investors,
and the environment, based on engineering codes of ethics. This paper argues whether it would
be ethical for an engineer to participate in the design and installation of a defeat device,
analyzing using deontological, consequential ethics approaches, and with respect to future
generation and the environment.
Body
Consequential Approach
Participating in the design and installation of a defeat device does not seem ethical, one
because it not only will harm the environment by failing to give true results about emission level
but could also pollute the planet which goes against the sustainable development1. Secondly,
customers purchasing the vehicle will be affected by the pollution as well as putting the society
at risk of inspiratory illness. Therefore, in the eyes of authority this installation is illegal, and a
hefty fine is imposed on the company involved; making a bad image of the company to investors
and shareholders; which result to more potential losses than the potential advantages2.
1 Jacur, Francesca Romanin. "The environmental dimension of the dieselgate: A European and
international legal perspective." In The Dieselgate, pp. 171-178. Springer, Cham, 2017
2 Phillips, Canek Moises Luna, Yvette E. Pearson, Lisa M. Black, and Quincy G. Alexander. "The
American Society of Civil Engineers’ Canon 8: Codifying Diversity as Ethics." In 2018 ASEE Annual
Conference & Exposition. 2018.

Deontological Approach
According to the engineering codes of ethics which requires respect for the moral
integrity of stakeholders such as the society and the environment, and a professional dignity and
honor, the action of designing and installing this device, violates this code hence it is immoral.
For example, it is immoral to develop a device that brings harmful impacts on the users or puts at
risk the environment that device is being utilized3. Hence stakeholders such as the society or
customer will not support such actions that morally wrong regardless of the benefits it might
bring about
Sustainable Development
It is our responsibility to protect and ensure the survival of the future generations by
conserving and protecting the environment. It is clear that designing and installing defeat devices
has a negative impact on the planet and does not promote sustainable development. This is
because it increases air pollution which will resultantly make it difficult for future generations to
find fresh air, causes global warming and climatic changes4. For instance, in the future
generations, children may experience multiple health problems such as respiratory illnesses like
breathing problems, asthma or pneumonia.
Conclusion
Therefore, as a responsible professional engineer working on the grounds of the common
good or interests and not for personal corporate interests I would not take part in the business of
3 Dey, Shreya, Brian Caulfield, and Bidisha Ghosh. "The potential health, financial and
environmental impacts of dieselgate in Ireland." Transportation Planning and Technology 41, no. 1
(2018): 17-36.
4 Pratt, Bonnie Wylie, and Jon D. Erickson. "Defeat the Peak: Behavioral insights for electricity demand
response program design." Energy Research & Social Science 61 (2020): 101352

designing and installing the defeat device in VW. This is because the project brings about more
harm than good to the company, stakeholders, and the future generations. I would also advise
VW company to develop another alternative device that is suitable for the users and the
environment at large.
Bibliography
Dey, Shreya, Brian Caulfield, and Bidisha Ghosh. "The potential health, financial and
environmental impacts of dieselgate in Ireland." Transportation Planning and
Technology 41, no. 1 (2018): 17-36.

Jacur, Francesca Romanin. "The environmental dimension of the dieselgate: A European and
international legal perspective." In The Dieselgate, pp. 171-178. Springer, Cham,
2017.
Phillips, Canek Moises Luna, Yvette E. Pearson, Lisa M. Black, and Quincy G. Alexander. "The
American Society of Civil Engineers’ Canon 8: Codifying Diversity as Ethics."
In 2018 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition. 2018.
Pratt, Bonnie Wylie, and Jon D. Erickson. "Defeat the Peak: Behavioral insights for electricity
demand response program design." Energy Research & Social Science 61 (2020):
101352.