Abstract:
Ethics for Geoscientists and Engineers
Ethics has many definitions; it is a study of the rules of human behavior, the standards of right and wrong, that part of science and philosophy dealing with moral conduct, duty, and judgment, the voluntary actions specifically taken by an individual with sufficient knowledge of the options available. The development of these “rules” depends on the formative influences on the individual. They derive from the ethnic culture, predominant religion, educational philosophies and personal life experiences.
Professional ethics incorporates and expands on these societal rules for a well-defined group of specialized, highly trained and educated persons in a specific career field. The ethics for professionals are particularly developed to address issues peculiar to that field. Examples are: medical, legal, police, military, science, and business.
In general, a professional has a duty to perform in a public capacity and a private/personal capacity. Licensing of professionals mandated by law is meant to protect the safety of the public, set performance guidelines, require specific education and allows for disciplinary action. Many professions develop their guidelines/ethics to standardize the expected behavior of their members.
Geoscientists and engineers are expected to: 1) hold paramount the safety of the public, 2) undertake assignments only when qualified, 3) provide opinion only with adequate knowledge and honest conviction, 4) act faithfully with clients, maintain confidentiality, fully disclose information, respond promptly, 5) negotiate appropriate and adequate compensation, 6) maintain personal competence/education and mentor/develop/provide opportunities for associates, 7) conduct business with courtesy and in good faith, give credit where due, and give and receive professional comment graciously, 8) present consequences if professional opinions or decisions are overruled or disregarded, 9) report unprofessional, hazardous, illegal or unethical behavior, 10) provide public knowledge and appreciation of the profession and protect it from misrepresentation.
Key words: professional, ethics, duty, behavior
Bio:
William H. Schramm
William H. Schramm is a 25 year veteran of the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality. As a Geologist he has worked closely with industry, consultants and private citizens to investigate and/or remediated over 3000 contaminated sites. His main focus is on groundwater issues throughout Louisiana. He now supervises a staff of Geologists and Remediation Specialists in the Underground Storage Tank and Remediation Division. Since 2005 he has been an Adjunct Instructor on the staff of the Department of Geosciences at the University of Louisiana-Lafayette and serves on numerous Graduate Thesis Committees. Mr. Schramm holds a BA and MS in Geology and a Teaching Certification for K-12 in Science and Earth Science. He is a member and past Director, twice past Vice-President/President of the Baton Rouge Geological Society. He also serves on the Board of Directors of the Louisiana Environmental Health Association, currently as President, and Homebound Assistance as Vice-President. Mr. Schramm serves as Delegate to the AAPG, representing the Baton Rouge Geological Society AAPG members. He has participated in numerous conferences, conventions and seminars as organizer, committee chair, session chair, judge, presenter and author/coauthor with over 40 papers or abstracts in publication. His off time is spent raising children, doing carpentry and trying to find time to travel with his wife Mary.
