The Ethical Engineer
Monday, February 26, 2007 at 15:35 Socially Responsible Engineering: Justice in risk management
Daniel A. Vallero and P. Aarne Vesilind
2007, ISBN: 0471787078, 365 pages, $100.95
‘What does it mean to be a “good” engineer, planner, or design professional in the ethical sense? Technical professionals must make daily decisions which impact upon the quality of life of those who live near the facilities, plants, structures, and thoroughfares they design, and in the cites and communities they plan and build. The questions of where these projects are built, who they are to serve, and how they will affect those who live near them are at the heart of Socially Responsible Engineering.’
Social responsibility is a topic that all engineers need to understand but it is not an easy topic to define simply. Engineers are interested in solving problems by applying laws of science and the principals of engineering and mathematics. Not all students or practicing engineers approach technical problems with an emphasis on the ‘non-scientific’ or social aspects of a project. In fact many engineers need guidance to feel comfortable with aspects that can often be perceived as ‘soft’.
Vallero and Vesilind have set out to create a book which is a guide to understanding the ethical challenges of engineering projects from both a technical and social perspective. The book provides a wealth of tools for evaluating projects and assessing risk to the communities affected.
This book is different from others covering ethical and social issues due to the historical and philosophical foundations presented and most importantly the extensive case studies from all disciplines of engineering. These include practical examples of investigations, resolutions and further discussions regarding the issues raised by the case study. These practical engineering problems and case studies are the strength of this book. The index lists separately the topics and names of the case studies; and the names of key scientists, engineers and activists who have contributed to the growing understanding of environmental justice. This book has provided bibliographical sketches of these key people. Each chapter provides references and notes on where to obtain further information.
This book will help engineers gain a deeper understanding of how engineering affects society and in particular those parts of society that are under-represented or have little political clout. The authors believe that engineers have a responsibility to try and make the world a better place.
Vallero and Vesilind are professors at Duke University (adjunct) and Bucknell University respectively. They have significant experience in ethics, environmental research, government policy, environmental justice, risk assessment, and engineering education.
Reviewed by Julia Lamborn is the Director Industry Liaison, Program Coordinator Civil Engineering at Swinburne University in Melbourne. She is a member of Environmental Engineering College, Congress and Victorian Division Committee of Engineers Australia and the editor of “The Environmental Engineer”, the national journal for the Society of Sustainability and Environmental Engineering
Socially Responsible Engineer is available from EA Books, http://www.engineersmedia.com.au/bookshop
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