Engineering Ethics Case Study: The Challenger Disaster - 3 PDH
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
This course teaches the following specific knowledge and skills:
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Common errors to avoid in studying the history of an engineering failure: the retrospective fallacy and the myth of perfect engineering practice
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Shuttle hardware involved in the disaster
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Decisions made in the period preceding the launch
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Ethical issue: NASA giving first priority to public safety over other concerns
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Ethical issue: the contractor giving first priority to public safety over other concerns
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Ethical issue: whistle blowing
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Ethical issue: informed consent
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Ethical issue: ownership of company records
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Ethical issue: how the public perceives that an engineering decision involves an ethical violation