"Eng Man 2: The RelationshipBetween Engineering & SocietySession Outline • Set the scene for the paper • Relationship engineering has with technology and society • This underpins the 4 areas of the paper i.e. ethics, strategy, sustainability and projectsEngineering’s Relationship WithTechnology and Society • Society has moved from a skills-based society • To a knowledge based societyConsequently we need engineers who • are technologically qualified • have an ability to make critical judgements • can work in challenging environments and working relationships • can act in a socially and environmentally responsible mannerEngineers are required • To meet societal needs, withoutendangering the Earth’s natural systems andresources. • To look at the long-term worldwideproblems that engineering can cause.Van der Vorst, (1998) Defined the goals of engineering – ‘Theultimate aim of engineering is to modify thenatural world to further human purposesthrough the wise application of technicalknowledge, skills and judgement’ • Defined as engineer as onewho deals with “technologicalsystems and using them for the best of society”.But! Technology has doubleimplications • As technology creates benefits, it raises newmoral challenges.Modern Engineers • Have a moral imperative to consider the long-term impacts of their work, • Have an increasing need to choose technological solutions that are appropriate to their social context, • Should avoid unintended consequences of engineering decision-makingThese concerns can be divided intomicro and macro issues • A Micro issue concerns individuals andcompanies in pursuing their projects • E.g.Ford PintoMacro Issue Environmental Ethics • Modern-day engineering and appliedtechnology and engineering practice is nowinescapably enmeshed with environmental ethicsWork of an engineer affects all aspectsof human life • Difficult for any branch of pure science to beseparated from its practical consequences forhumanity due to:• By-products / side effects, such as noise andpollution • Effects on destruction of environment /wild life • Effects on future generations• Using up scarce resources so thatthey are not available in the next centuryThe Cultural Evolution • Technology = human solution to fulfillinghuman needs.• As needs change, new technologies replacethe old ones, which inevitably change theculture behind the technology. Culture adapts itself to newtechnologies • Cultural evolution is the progression ofhuman lifestyle and customs, as the cultureadapts itself to new technologies.The evolution of technology • 2,600,000 BCStone Age (the first human) • 3,000 BC Bronze Age • 1,200 BC Iron Age • 1760Industrial Age • 1945Nuclear Age • 1957Space Age (Sputnik) • 1971Information Age (microchip)Uneven rate of technological/ economicprogress in world leaves=major dilemma • Some of more affluent economies=humanfocus of technology = move from survival tofulfilling luxurious wants • Advanced Western Nations enjoy anincreasing standard of living • Underdeveloped countries= famine, floodsand plagues. Poverty is extreme"