The definition given in the book of a "Profession" is a bit narrow (I think). M-W defines profession as : a calling requiring specialized knowledge and often long and intensive academic preparation b: a principal calling, vocation, or employment. So, in my opinion, a profession does not require a code of ethics, and some of the other things that the book claims professions require. Now, this is not saying that a Code of Ethics is entirely without warrant. They are very useful for guiding people in professions, and keeping professional people accountable.
The Code presented in the chapter makes for some dry reading, but that is how all legalese documents read. It is a fairly straightforward set of ethical guidelines for software engineers, and I think it does a decent job of covering most ethical bases, and giving the leeway to actually be a useful ethical Code.
What I thought was more interesting about the chapter was the latter portion about whistleblowing. I had never really thought about it, but there are tons of complications to "telling" on your superiors. That would make an interesting paper in itself: When to Blow the Whistle or When Managers Go Wrong.
-Reece
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment