Macroethics and engineering leadership

Abstract

Engineering leadership must consider macroethics; those issues important to society at large. The downstream effects of design decisions must be considered a priori to ensure that future infrastructures are sustainable. Decision-making tools are available to help ensure that designs are ethical and responsible and to support a systematic perspective of the life cycle impacts of infrastructures. This perspective is crucial as the engineering profession continues to hold paramount the safety, health, and welfare of the public. Therefore, social responsibility is at the heart of engineering leadership. © 2008 ASCE.