Download TYPICAL FINAL EXAM Qs

TYPICAL FINAL EXAM Qs
#1
Discuss the history of the colonization/contextualization relationship. Illustrate with examples
from engineering practice.
#2
Of the four key features of a profession (knowledge, autonomy, obligation, commitment) which
one is most problematic for engineering and why? Illustrate with an example from engineering
practice.
#3
Why should focal engineers ask “why” questions? Illustrate with examples from engineering
practice.
#4
An engineer “fudges” data and presents bogus results to her group. Show how such behavior is
wrong from both a Respect for Persons point of view and from a Utilitarian point of view.
#5
From the Material Ethics point of view, what is a technology that deserves to die and what is
one that deserves to live? Explain. (Do not use any technology that was presented in our in-class
group exercise.)
#6
When we say that design is always more than analysis, what is the nature of that “more”?
#7
What is the difference between the virtue of justice (fairness, objectivity) suggested in Virtue
Ethics and the value of social justice suggested in Process Ethics? Illustrate with examples from
engineering practice.
#8
What is the difference between being absorbed by technology and being engaged with
technology? Illustrate with examples from engineering practice.
#9
Compare and contrast the approach to an ethical dilemma (drawn from engineering practice)
that a Rule Utilitarian would take and a Kantian Deontologist would take.
#10
Compare and contrast hypermodern engineering and focal engineering. Illustrate with examples
from engineering practice.
#11
Show how the Kantian idea of an ethics of duty is not inconsistent with an ethics of respect for
other persons. Illustrate with examples from engineering practice.
#12
Show how ethical imagination is more important to Focal Engineering than it is to Modern
Engineering. Illustrate with examples from engineering practice.
#13
Discuss the Cartesian Method and distinguish the analysis/science aspects from the
synthesis/design aspects. Illustrate with examples from engineering practice.
#14
Discuss how Michael Polyani’s notion of Tacit Knowing is intrinsic to all ways of knowing
associated with the engineering sciences. Illustrate with examples from engineering practice.
#15
Discuss the dilemma that the “ought” which arises out of the discussion of Engineering
Professionalism stems from the connections and moral obligations that the Cartesian Method
disrupts. Illustrate with examples from engineering practice.
#16
How would you distinguish between a priori and a posteriori moral responsibility? Illustrate with
examples from engineering practice.
#17
Discuss the conflict between the process ethics value of social justice and the aim of capitalism
to maximize profits only. Illustrate with examples from engineering practice.
#18
Explain Isaac Asimov’s maxim: “Never let your sense of morals prevent you from doing what is
right.” Illustrate with examples from engineering practice.
#19
Distinguish between the Micro and Macro view of the engineering project. Illustrate with
examples from engineering practice.
#20
From a Platonic Virtue Ethics point of view were Tesla’s personal and professional decisions
aimed at achieving the Good? Illustrate with examples drawn from the video.
21
Show how it can be the case that achieving the greatest good for the greatest number (the
goal of Utilitarianism) can be at odds with doing one’s duty (the goal of Kantian deontology).
22
Is the iPOD a focal product? Explain.
23
From “The Incident at Morales” video explain the problem of environmentalism in the light of
legality vs. ethicality in the US vs. Mexico.
24
Why does Borgmann claim that the response of science to Global Warming is good, the
response of ethics is fair, and the response of technology is poor?
25
Choose one issue emerging from the video Manufactured
Landscapes and explain how it relates to one of the values of Process Ethics.