ABSTRACT
Complex relationships in ethical decision-making (EDM) between individuals and collectives form a cornerstone of ethical engineering practice. Engineering is shaped by and shapes the communities, cultures, and wider societies in which engineers belong and work. Yet the collective dimensions of these interactions have largely been ignored in engineering ethics education (EEE), mirroring the historic lack of attention to wider macro-ethics issues. This chapter articulates the importance of considering the interactions between individuals and collectives as a fundamental aspect of engineers’ EDM competency. Specifically, it introduces theoretical and practical aspects of the relationships between individuals and collectives in engineering practice, identifies key concepts in individual and collective EDM, describes current approaches to individual and collective dimensions of EDM in EEE, and presents an engineering case study that illustrates individual and collective dimensions of EDM. The chapter argues that the failure to adequately address the interactions between individuals and collectives in EDM has led to shortcomings in EEE. By making clear the complicated interplay between individuals and the diverse communities with which they are in relation, we can better understand and effectively cultivate competency in EDM and ethical practice.
