Working With Cases: The Importance of Concrete Learning

This chapter further explains the role of case-study analysis within global engineering ethics. It begins by discussing the importance of studying cases in terms of active learning; the subject matter of engineering ethics; building an experience base; analyzing and problem solving; connecting the technical and ethical dimensions of engineering; and forming a personal ethical perspective. The chapter goes on to explain the steps of the case-study procedure used here, which include identifying ethical issues, narrowing the focus, determining relevant facts, making reasonable assumptions, undertaking definitional clarification, conducting ethical analysis, reviewing the process, resolving the issue, identifying practical constraints, and avoiding ethical problems. Exercises follow the discussions of each step, where readers are invited to reflect on their own experience and directed to the Uberlingen case to practice analysis. The chapter ends with a hypothetical case about a heating unit defect.