| Description |
xviii, 379 pages : illustrations ; 24 cm |
| Contents |
Ch. 1. Low-Bid Ethics: Decision Making about Cost, Safety, and Deadlines -- Ch. 2. Engineering Ethics Framework -- Ch. 3. Engineering Ethics: The Common Ground between Individual Whim and Legality -- Ch. 4. Satisficing, Organizational Theory, and Other Theoretical Contributions to Engineering Ethics -- Ch. 5. The Decision to Build the Space Shuttle: Pay Me Now or Pay Me Later -- Ch. 6. The Space Shuttle Main Engine: An Overview and Analysis -- Ch. 7. All-Up Testing versus Component Testing: Normative Practice or Flawed Judgment? -- Ch. 8. A. O. Tischler: An "Ethical" Engineer (Alternatives to Whistle-Blowing) -- Ch. 9. Cost versus Schedule versus Risk: The Band-Aid Fix: A $3.5 Million Overrun in Test Stand Construction -- Ch. 10. Back to the Drawing Board or Normal Errors: Senate Investigations of the SSME Development Problems -- Ch. 11. A Judgment Call or Negligence: Maiden Voyage of the Challenger Delayed Six Months |
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Ch. 12. Against the Odds: Ethical Decisions and Organizational Goals -- Ch. 13. Engineering Ethics and Risk Assessment -- Ch. 14. The Challenge Accident: Engineering Design and Performance Decisions -- App. A. Description of a Space Shuttle Mission -- App. B. A. O. Tischler's Personal Commentary -- App. C. Summary of Technical Issues Raised by the Covert Committee -- App. D. Post-Challenger Redesign Activities of the Solid Rocket Boosters -- App. E. Glossary -- App. F. NASA Personnel and Field Centers |
| Summary |
"Using the space shuttle program as the framework, this book examines the role of ethical decision making in the practice of engineering." "In particular, the book considers the design and development of the main engines of the space shuttle as a paradigm for how individual engineers perceive, articulate, and resolve ethical dilemmas in a large, complex organization. A series of in-depth case studies shows engineers at work on various stages of the project as they balance budgets, deadlines, and risks." "By documenting the historical development of a single system, the book provides a unique opportunity to explore the complex interactions between political, organizational, and technical pressures and engineering and management decisions. Both students and engineers will gain valuable insight into ethical dilemmas common to engineering practice and to ethical decision making."--BOOK JACKET |
| Bibliography |
Includes bibliographical references (pages 353-372) and index |
| Subject |
Decision making -- Moral and ethical aspects.
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Engineering ethics.
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Space shuttles -- Propulsion systems -- Design and construction -- Case studies.
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| Author |
Pinkus, Rosa Lynn B.
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| LC no. |
96012332 |
| ISBN |
0521431719 (hardback) |
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0521437504 (paperback) |
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