Thinking Like an Engineer: Studies in the Ethics of a Profession

by Michael Davis

Michael Davis, a leading figure in the study of professional ethics, offers here both a compelling exploration of engineering ethics and a philosophical analysis of engineering as a profession. After putting engineering in historical perspective, Davis turns to the Challenger space shuttle disaster to consider the complex relationship between engineering ideals and contemporary engineering practice. Here, Davis examines how social organization and technical requirements define how engineers should (and presumably do) think. Later chapters test his analysis of engineering judgement and autonomy empirically, engaging a range of social science research including a study of how engineers and managers work together in ten different companies.

243 pages, Hardcover

First published June 18, 1998

About the author

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Reviews

[Robert Irish · Rating 2 out of 5]

No one who thinks like an engineer would ever get through this book. The writing is obtuse, and Davis loses me (and I think himself) in his circuitous turns of argument--like his obscure discussion of professional autonomy in the final chapter. Is it ethical to write like that? Way too much writing like a philosopher (which he is). However, it rates an "it's ok" two stars because he raises good questions, and chapter 9 presents some interesting empirical research.