Ethics for Professionals in the Energy Stream: How Objective Are Science and Engineering?

Abstract

Ethics is the study of values and rules governing human behavior. Geologists and engineers often think of their work as completely objective but this would imply that they are free of the subjectivity of values. Advances in energy related technologies have benefitted society, which rewards these contributions and expects professionals to use their knowledge to improve technology and further benefit society along the energy stream, from reservoir exploration to environmental cleanup. Their work is not value-neutral, and they are subject to ethical rules. They make decisions with underlying ethical implications where self-interests potentially clash with scientific impartiality. Ethical concerns focus on the conscientious application of current tools to serve society's needs while maintaining moral conduct and judgment and gaining sufficient knowledge of options before taking actions that impact society. While an individual's understanding of standards of behavior depends on culture, religion, and education, norms of behavior that are not subject to interpretation are codified in the rules of professional organizations. Professional ethics incorporates and expands on societal rules for a group of specially trained practitioners in both public and private capacities. Licensing is meant to protect the public, set performance guidelines, ensure education and prescribe disciplinary action. Professional organizations develop ethical guidelines with the goal of standardizing their members' expected conduct. Geologists and engineers are expected to: 1) protect public safety; 2) undertake assignments only when qualified; 3) provide opinion only with adequate knowledge and honest conviction; 4) act faithfully with clients and maintain confidentiality; 5) negotiate appropriate compensation; 6) maintain competence through continued education; 7) conduct business with courtesy and in good faith, give credit where due; 8) present consequences if professional opinions or decisions are overruled or disregarded; 9) report unprofessional, hazardous, illegal or unethical behavior; and 10) promote public knowledge of the profession. Professionals are regularly called upon to make decisions that require adjudicating between conflicting values and interests. Technical analysis can mislead into believing their work is not burdened by value judgments. Professional codes of ethics adapted by licensing organizations help resolve controversy by providing a clear ethical framework.

AAPG Datapages/Search and Discovery Article #90259 ©2016 AAPG Annual Convention and Exhibition, Calgary, Alberta, Canada, June 19-22, 2016