Assignment: Ethics in Engineering

Directions: Write a 4-page essay that addresses the following prompt by answering the questions as comprehensively as possible. Papers should be typed, double-spaced, numbered, stapled, use MLA citation, and have a standard heading that includes your name, the course, and CIN.

In March 2017 the American Society of Civil Engineers released its 4-year "Report Grade" for infrastructure in the US, including roads, bridges, dams, airports, waterways, schools, etc. The report comprehensively depicts the conditions of this infrastructure in the form of a familiar school report card: overall, America received a D+ grade. It can be found here: http://www.infrastructurereportcard.org/

Assume you are a policy advisor for the American Society of Civil Engineers, and your job is to make specific recommendations on the prioritization of particular projects based on the public's interest in having safe, clean, and efficient infrastructure systems. If these systems continue to degrade, and in some cases fail, it is clear the public's health and well-being would be compromised. Try to focus on one or two examples of infrastructure projects that need vital attention based on the values that are inherent to distributive justice, worker productivity, public safety, health care, and citizenship.

1. What are some costs imposed on stakeholders (individuals, firms, and public-at-large) in terms of widespread infrastructure deprivation in terms of (a) worker productivity, (b) public health, and (c) health care?

2. How can these costs be balanced against the benefits of improved infrastructure? What ethical theory would you use for justifying the balanced approach you prescribe in your report?

3. What are some of the benefits of raising taxes to ensure these vital projects are properly funded, and future maintenance improvement can be assured?

4. Does imposing such taxes to fund public infrastructure promote or undermine efforts to create a more just society? Why or why not?

You may rely on any readings from the course such as Martin and Shinzinger, Rawls, Singer Kant, Mill, Schor, Pence, Hausman et. al., etc. You must cite TWO different sources in making your report. You should use these course readings as sources of information, but only use SHORT direct citations from the texts when they provide useful evidence for support; no block quotes. As much as possible, use your own words to explain and cite from relevant texts where you use examples or information from them such as paraphrasing, citing case studies, data, etc.