Case: Moral Beliefs in the Workplace

Moral Beliefs in the Workplace

The heading of Don Shakow’s obituary reads, "Don Shakow’s moral beliefs put to test in the workplace." Although an economist rather than an engineer, Shakow’s commitments and expertise certainly overlapped those of some engineers. Among other things, he served as an expert witness on the economics of rapid-transit and public energy proposals. In the mid-70s he joined Mathematical Sciences Northwest to evaluate proposed power projects for Seattle City Light. His finding that regional energy needs were seriously over-estimated resulted in Seattle City Light withdrawing its support for two Washington Public Power supply system nuclear plants. Shakow’s former colleague, Frank Miller commented that their eventual construction "resulted in the largest utility-bond default in U.S. history." Shakow supported organic farming, home grown food, and food cooperatives. He protested the Vietnam war, co-founding the Little Bread Co. Which carried messages on its reader board such as, "We Can’t Support One Gov’t--Let Alone Thieu." No doubt a somewhat controversial figure throughout his activist life, he was characterized by reporter Carole Beers as "that rare individual: He fully integrated his moral beliefs into his work life."

Discuss the difficulties of fully integrating one’s moral beliefs into one’s work life. Is it desirable to try to do this? Can this ever conflict with moral or ethical obligations that one has as a professional engineer or employee? If so, how should such a conflict be resolved?

| BACK TO TOP |