---
title: "Core ethics of engineering"
subject: "Communication English"
chapter: 4
key: "semester_5/communication_english:core-ethics-engineering"
source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_5/communication_english/core-ethics-engineering
site: BCT Engineering
---

# Core ethics of engineering

Communication English · Chapter 4: Introduction to technical writing process

- Asked in: 2081 Chaitra (new course), 5 marks
- Video: [Lecture 10_Define Ethics, Ethics in Engineering | Effective Technical Comm. | Civil Engineering](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upX_0l9fFo8) — Civil Engineering Department_LJIET
- Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort) on 2026-10-14
- Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_5/communication_english/core-ethics-engineering
- Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_5/communication_english/chapter-4

## Question

Mention core ethics of engineering.

## Short answer

Engineers must hold paramount public safety, perform only in their competence, be honest and act with integrity, maintain confidentiality, avoid conflicts of interest, uphold professional conduct, treat all fairly, consider environmental and social responsibility, and obey laws and codes.

## Answer

Engineering ethics is the set of moral principles that guide engineers in their professional work. Most professional codes, such as the fundamental canons of the National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE), are based on the following core ethics.

1. **Public safety, health and welfare come first.** Engineers must put the safety of the public above the interests of clients, employers and themselves, and must report dangerous conditions.
2. **Competence.** They should perform services only in areas in which they are qualified, and keep their skills up to date.
3. **Honesty and truthfulness.** Statements, reports, test results and advertisements must be truthful and objective. Data must not be falsified.
4. **Integrity and avoiding deception.** Engineers should not take part in fraud, bribery or corruption, and should not accept payment that influences their judgement.
5. **Faithfulness and confidentiality.** They act as faithful agents of employers and clients and keep private information confidential, unless it threatens public safety.
6. **Avoiding conflict of interest.** They disclose any interest that could affect their independent judgement.
7. **Professional conduct.** They behave honourably, responsibly and lawfully, and uphold the honour and dignity of the profession.
8. **Fairness and respect.** They treat colleagues, clients and the public fairly, give credit for others' work and do not plagiarise.
9. **Environmental and social responsibility.** They consider the effects of projects on the environment and on society, and work for sustainable development.
10. **Obey the law and the code.** They follow laws and the code of ethics of the engineering council in their country.

These principles protect people and maintain public trust in the engineering profession.

## Check yourself

The answer's key points as multiple-choice questions, with the correct option and why.

1. According to core engineering ethics, what must an engineer put first?
   A. The employer's profit
   B. Public safety, health and welfare
   C. The client's wishes
   D. The engineer's own career
   Answer: B. Public safety, health and welfare come above the interests of clients, employers and oneself. (Key point: Public safety first)

2. When may an engineer reveal confidential information of an employer or client?
   A. Whenever it benefits the engineer
   B. When a competitor asks for it
   C. When it threatens public safety
   D. Never under any circumstance
   Answer: C. Confidentiality is kept unless the information threatens public safety. (Key point: Confidentiality exception)

3. The ethic of competence requires engineers to:
   A. Accept any job offered to earn money
   B. Delegate all technical work to juniors
   C. Avoid learning new technology
   D. Perform services only in areas where they are qualified and keep skills up to date
   Answer: D. Engineers should work within their qualifications and update their skills. (Key point: Competence)

4. What should an engineer do about an interest that could affect independent judgement?
   A. Disclose it
   B. Hide it
   C. Ignore it if the project is small
   D. Accept payment to settle it
   Answer: A. Avoiding conflict of interest means disclosing any such interest. (Key point: Conflict of interest)

## Related in other subjects

- [Engineering morals, ethics, professionalism](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_8%2Fengineering_professional_practice%3Aengineering-morals-ethics-professionalism) — Engineering Professional Practice, chapter 2
- [Ethics and code of ethics for engineers](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_8%2Fengineering_professional_practice%3Acode-of-ethics-engineers) — Engineering Professional Practice, chapter 2, asked 2×
- [Ethics, moral action, perspectives](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_8%2Fengineering_professional_practice%3Aethics-moral-nonmoral-perspectives) — Engineering Professional Practice, chapter 2
- [Ethics and need for code of conduct](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_8%2Fengineering_professional_practice%3Aethics-why-code-of-conduct) — Engineering Professional Practice, chapter 2