2014 by Glen Miller.

PHIL/ENGR 482: Ethics and Engineering

Fall 2014

First Short Paper Instructions

due Friday, September 19, 2014 at 8:00 AM

Write a 500-750 word paper that investigates the relationship between Aristotles formulation of virtue
ethics and Ed Harriss consideration of the importance of virtues for engineers that he expounded in The
Good Engineer.

The paper should include
A title, and perhaps a subtitle, that is descriptive;
A brief introduction (~75 words) that explains the role of virtue ethics in engineering ethics and
outlines how your inquiry will proceed;
A couple paragraphs (~225 words) that explain Aristotles understanding of
o (i) happiness (eudaimonia), virtue (arte), and a final cause or end (telos), and
o (ii) the distinction he makes between virtues of thought and those of character, and, for
the latter, a brief description of each of the cardinal virtues;
A paragraph or two (~150 words) that explains the virtues Harris claims are important for
engineers and situates them in relation to Aristotles framework;
A couple of paragraphs (~225 words) that are critical (again, in the sense of a restaurant critic).
Here are a couple of ways these can be structured:
o By identifying other virtues that are specifically relevant to engineering, especially your
own field of engineering, and explaining why this is so;
o By critiquing Harriss extension, which could focus on its comprehensiveness,
consistency, or justification, and should include a proposed amendment, if one is
necessary or possible;
o By identifying specific engineering practices in your industry or discipline that depend on
or would benefit from incorporating a virtue or virtues, which could be one of those
described by Aristotle or Harris, or one you identify and explain;
o By assessing his call for the inclusion of the humanities and social sciences as proper
subjects for engineering education.
Other paths of inquiry can be followed, as long as they demonstrate an understanding of Aristotle
and Harris and provide a reasoned contribution to their dialogue.
An appropriate concluding paragraph (~75 words), which looks back at the paper as a whole,
with an emphasis on your critical paragraphs.

Word counts are provided as rough guides. Write as much as you deem necessary to satisfy each
requirement. The paper should follow the formatting instructions given by your TA. Information gleaned
from F2F sessions and recitations can be considered common knowledge, and, as such, does not need to
be cited. Further research on Aristotle, virtue ethics, and Harris is not required, but if you do use material
from other sources, make sure it is properly attributed. Your papers should include at least two direct
quotations from The Good Engineer that are appropriately introduced and cited.

70% of the paper grade will depend on how well it meets the criteria listed above. The remaining 30%
will be determined by its conciseness and clarity; its coherence; and its mechanics, including sentence and
paragraph structure, transitions, and topic sentences.

If you choose to revise this paper, it must be resubmitted no later than Friday, October 3, 2014.