Chapter 16 Ethical Awareness in Chinese Professional Engineering Societies: Textual Research on Constitutions of Chinese Engineering Organizations

 

Abstract

This chapter studies the ethical awareness in the constitutions of 48 Chinese engineering societies. It compares these constitutions to the ethical guidelines of the World Federation of Engineering Organizations (WFEO) and the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). The findings show that Chinese engineering societies place less emphasis on universal ethical principles like justice, fairness, and concern for human beings. They focus more on doing tasks correctly ("do the thing right") rather than doing what is morally right ("do the right thing").

16.1 Introduction

This introduction discusses the ethical awareness of engineering professions in China. Michael Davis questions whether engineering in China qualifies as a profession? Profession is defined as a group in the same field who work not just for income, but also to serve a common moral ideal beyond legal, market, and social expectations. The paper focuses on how its ethical consciousness is reflected in the constitutions and ethical codes of Chinese engineering societies. It examines the constitutions of 48 engineering societies under the China Association for Science and Technology, comparing them to international standards like the IEEE and the World Federation of Engineering Organizations' model code of ethics. Additionally, the paper looks at historical changes in ethical awareness by analyzing amendments to the constitution of a specific engineering society. Finally, it aims to identify the unique characteristics and influencing factors of the ethical consciousness in Chinese engineering societies.

16.2 Ethical Awareness in the Constitutions of Contemporary Engineering Societies in Mainland China

This section discusses the ethical awareness in the constitutions of engineering societies in Mainland China. These societies are managed by the China Association for Science and Technology (CAST). As of 2009, there were 68 affiliated societies, of which 48 are specifically considered engineering societies. Their constitutions, generally established at the society's inception and regularly revised, follow a model text issued by China's Ministry of Civil Affairs.

The analysis of these constitutions reveals several key points:

1. The constitutions focus on four primary objectives: adhering to state laws, serving economic and scientific development, fostering academic exchange, and democratic management.
2. Most societies lack separate, written ethical codes specific to engineering.
3. Ethical principles in these constitutions are vague and often overlook crucial areas like public safety, health, well-being, and environmental protection.
4. There is an underemphasis on universal ethical principles such as justice, fairness, and concern for humanity. The focus is more on performing engineering tasks correctly rather than on ethical considerations ("doing the thing right" over "doing the right thing").
5. These constitutions largely replicate the government-issued model text and lack distinct characteristics relevant to specific engineering fields. They reflect governmental requirements more than the professional consciousness of engineers.
6. The constitutions do not adequately reflect contemporary ethical demands or prioritize public interest, even in fields like coal mining, food processing, and paper making, where safety and environmental issues have been significant.

In contrast, the constitution of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) emphasizes ethical conduct, including the responsibility to ensure public safety, health, and welfare, and to protect the environment. This highlights a significant difference in the approach to ethical awareness between Chinese engineering societies and international counterparts like IEEE.

16.3 Comparison to the WFEO Model Code of Ethics

This section compares the ethical awareness in Mainland China's engineering societies with the World Federation of Engineering Organizations (WFEO) Model Code of Ethics. WFEO, affiliated with UNESCO, comprises engineering societies from over 90 countries and developed its Code of Ethics since 1990, finalizing it in 2001. This code serves as a guideline for ethical conduct in engineering, emphasizing responsibilities beyond minimum standards, including paramount concern for public safety, health, welfare, and sustainable development.

Key aspects of the WFEO Model Code of Ethics include:

• Ethical Principles: The code outlines the importance of ethics in professional engineering, going beyond minimum conduct standards.
• Nine Professional Ethical Responsibilities: These include prioritizing public safety, health, welfare, and environmental protection.
• Seven Environmental Ethical Guidelines: Focused on sustainable development and environmental stewardship.
• Moral Ideals: It concludes by urging engineers to combat global issues like war, poverty, and environmental degradation, stressing the importance of "doing the right thing" over just "doing things right."

Despite China's active role in WFEO since 1981 and hosting significant engineering events, Chinese engineering societies have shown little response to the WFEO's ethical guidelines. Most societies in China haven't developed written codes of ethics, and those existing (like the Chinese Academy of Engineering and the China Computer Federation) focus mainly on academic research ethics, not engineering ethics.

The Chinese Academy of Engineering (CAE), established in 1994, has codes and regulations addressing scientific conduct, but these lack specific reference to engineering practice. They mainly cover scientific morality aspects like authorship, intellectual property, and peer review.

Furthermore, the constitutions of engineering societies in China, even those revised after 2001, barely incorporate the core content of the WFEO model code, such as attention to public health, safety, and environmental protection. The study found that the WFEO model code had little impact on 38 out of 48 constitutions examined, suggesting a lack of professional ethical awareness in engineering societies in Mainland China.

16.4 The Evolution of the “Chinese Engineers Creed” from 1933 to 1996

This section traces the evolution of the "Chinese Engineers Creed" from 1933 to 1996, focusing on the ethical consciousness of China's engineering societies. The earliest engineering society in China, the Chinese Institute of Engineers, was formed in 1912 and later renamed in 1914. In 1931, it merged with another society and officially became the Chinese Institute of Engineers.

The first written code of ethics for Chinese engineers, the "Chinese Engineer Credendum," was formulated in 1933. This code included six criteria, mainly focusing on professional conduct and responsibilities to colleagues. However, it lacked distinction from other industry associations, indicating a lack of awareness of the unique ethical responsibilities of engineers.

1. Shall not give up or be disloyal to duty;

2. Shall not give or accept undue reward;

3. Shall not clash with one another or exclude colleagues;

4. Shall not directly or indirectly harm the reputation or professional work of colleagues;

5. Shall not compete for business or position by despicable means;

6. Shall not disseminate false information, or behave in a manner undignified for the profession.

In 1941, during its 10th Annual Conference, the Chinese Institute of Engineers amended this code, renaming it the "Chinese Engineers Creed" and broadening its scope. The revised creed consisted of eight criteria, including a stronger emphasis on national interests and political overtones, but it became less direct in guiding professional groups and lacked real binding.

The revised eight criteria stipulate that an engineer is to:

1. Comply with economic development policies of the country and the national defense policies, to realize the industrial plan of the national Father Sun Yat-sen.

2. Recognize that the national interest is above all else, and be willing to sacrifice freedom and make contributions.

3. Promote the industrialization of the country, strive for self-sufficiency of essential goods and supplies.

4. Implement industry standardization, meet national defense needs and people’s livelihood.

5. Seek no fame, resist the lure of material, maintain professional dignity and comply with service ethics.

6. Seek truth from facts, keep improving for the sake of excellence, strive for independent creation, and focus on collective achievements.

7. Have the courage to take responsibility, be devoted to duty; moreover, one should cooperate sincerely with the spirit of mutual aid and fraternal love.

8. Be strict with oneself, generous to others, and develop clean, simple, prompt and faithful life habits.

Post-1949, the Chinese Institute of Engineers relocated to Taipei, China. The creed was modified in 1976, changing some terms like "freedom" to "small ego," and again in 1996. The 1996 creed, still in use in Taiwan, contains four main rules and eight sub-rules, covering a broader range of responsibilities towards society, the profession, clients, employers, and colleagues. This version is more comprehensive and operational, placing social responsibility first and expanding the responsibilities of engineers.

• 1. Responsibility to society
• Law - abiding and dedication : adhere to statutes and regulations, protect public safety, and promote public well-being.
• Respect for nature : maintain ecological balance, conserve natural resources, and preserve cultural assets.

• 2. Responsibility to the profession
• Devotion to work and duty : apply professional knowledge, do one’s duty strictly, follow engineering practices properly.
• Innovation and enhancement : study new science and technology, progress toward excellence, improve product quality.

• 3. Responsibility to clients and employers
• Sincere service : work with full capacity and wisdom, provide the best service, and achieve the work goals.
• Mutual trust and mutual benefit : establish mutual trust and build a win-win consensus, create project success.

• 4. Responsibility to colleagues
• Division of labor and cooperation : implement the division of expertise, focus on coordination and cooperation, and increase operational efficiency.
• Connecting the past and future : self-motivate and encourage one another, inherit and carry forward technical experience, and train junior talent.

Overall, the evolution of the Chinese Engineers Creed shows that as early as 1933, Chinese engineers had a written code of ethics. It underwent several modifications over time, reflecting changes in social, political, and professional contexts. However, the ethical awareness in mainland China's engineering societies seems to have remained at the level of the 1941-1976 version of the creed.

16.5 Conclusion

The conclusion summarizes the findings about the engineering ethical awareness in Chinese engineering societies. Key points include:

Lack of Comprehensive Ethical Recognition: Mainland Chinese engineering societies do not fully recognize the ethical responsibilities unique to engineers. They focus more on doing tasks correctly ("do the thing right") rather than on making ethically sound decisions ("do the right thing").

Ambiguity in Ethical Orientation: There's a disconnect in how ethics are approached. Ethical principles are overly abstract, while conduct requirements are too specific, leading to ambiguity.

Historical Context: Historically, Chinese engineers prioritized state and national interests, especially during times of war. This focus was crucial then but is insufficient in the modern context of globalization and sustainable development. The ethical awareness in Chinese engineering societies has not kept pace with these contemporary demands.

Focus on Academic Research Over Engineering Practice: Organizations like the Chinese Academy of Engineering (CAE) and other public engineering groups are more academic-oriented than focused on engineering practice. While there's recognition of scientific research integrity, more attention is needed for engineering ethics.

Necessity for Reform and Education: There is a need for revising constitutions, formulating specific codes of ethics, reforming engineering institutions, and improving engineering education to enhance ethical awareness.

Role of Language and Culture: The language used in constitutions and codes of ethics influences values and behaviors. As noted by N. Fairclough, language is a powerful tool in shaping social orders and ideologies.

Impact on Society and Economy: Despite the significant role of Chinese engineering in societal and economic development, frequent disasters related to public safety, health, and well-being highlight the urgent need for improved ethical awareness in engineering practices.

The conclusion emphasizes that while constitutions and codes of ethics might not fully represent the ethical consciousness of societies and their members, they play a crucial role in guiding behavior. The lack of ethical awareness in Chinese engineering societies is a concern that requires attention from theorists and practitioners alike.