Teaching control engineering with a preventive ethics slant

The control engineer is responsible for the control of the high energy content variables of engineering systems, such as pressures, temperatures, speeds, forces, voltages, currents, etc., that, if not property controlled, lead to catastrophic results. He thus has a particular share in engineers' professional responsibility to protect the public's safety and welfare. It is the responsibility of those who teach control to make sure that students are made aware of their professional responsibilities and obligations to the public. An ethical overview is given, followed by a discussion of the concept of preventive ethics, a presentation on systems engineering and ethical responsibilities, some thoughts on different models of professional responsibility.