There are perhaps no greater "soft skills" for the engineer to acquire than the ability to capably deal with ethical issues and behave in a professional manner, for these skills lie at the heart of the engineer's primary obligation—to hold paramount the public safety, health, and welfare. As engineers seek to enhance their image in the 21st century by achieving a better grasp of globalization and improving their ability to communicate effectively, they must also strive to enhance their image with the public whom they are obligated to protect by performing their work in accordance with ethical standards and by giving back to their profession through participation in professional activities and licensure. The engineer's role and responsibility today extends beyond protecting today's public to protecting future generations and the environment that these generations will inherit.

However, a consistent meaning of ethics is seldom agreed upon. While the term "ethics" has several meanings, typically we would equate it to moral values that are sound. Despite some variances with respect to what the word "moral" may mean, there are a number of universal values upheld by engineers that encompass ethics: truth, honesty, and trustworthiness; respect for human life and human welfare, a sense of fair play, openness and competence. These concepts form the basis of engineering ethics and the codes of ethics under which engineers practice.

While ethics have always been an important component of engineering practice, the ethical considerations of the 21st century place a heavier burden on engineers today. Not only must today's engineers grapple with such issues as mitigating bribery and corruption—particularly in developing and underdeveloped nations—they must also work to devise ethical means of helping to address such problems as climate change, an increase in natural disasters, and the pressing need to incorporate the principles of sustainable design into a wide array of projects. And as engineers move forward, they must also formulate a vision that focuses on how to best determine future societal needs and approach the management processes accordingly, an ethical consideration not typically considered in the past.

Where can we find the basis for practicing in an ethical manner? The concepts of ethics and professionalism are given concrete form in codes, or standards, of ethics. Codes of ethics provide a framework for defining ethical professional judgment. Such codes define the rights, duties, obligations, roles, and responsibilities of the members of the profession. However, no code of ethics is all encompassing; it is simply an aspirational document that serves as a starting point for ethical decision making.

It amazes me how many engineers have not read their professional engineering society code of ethics such as the ASCE Code of Ethics. Codes of ethics are important for two primary reasons: first, they constitute a compilation of the thoughts of members of a profession about their ethical or professional responsibilities. In addition, with respect to the engineering profession, these codes help the public understand how engineers see themselves and what engineers as a whole have learned over the years. Second, the codes are mechanisms for monitoring the behavior of engineers and for assisting them in behaving in socially responsible ways.

A code of ethics is not a prescription for ethical behavior, a substitute for sound judgment, a legal document, or a tool for the creation of new moral or ethical principles. Rather, a code of ethics spells out the ways in which moral and ethical principles apply to professional practice. It guides the professional in applying moral principles to situations encountered in professional practice. Codes of ethics play eight essential roles: they serve and protect the public, provide guidance, offer inspiration, establish shared standards, support responsible professionals, contribute to the education of the public, help determine wrongdoing and strengthen a profession's image.

However, no matter how good a code of ethics may be, if it is not read then it will not be good to anyone. Ethics should be a required course in the engineering curriculum and a continuous learning experience in all organizations. We have an obligation to practice in such a way that we earn the public's trust while at the same time building a foundation for young people to look towards engineering as a respected rewarding career that helps others. We not only owe it to our profession, we owe it to our future.