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Volume 9 Issue 1

From The Editor

Dear VCE Readers

The devotion to promoting wellness and quality of life is one of the highest standards an engineer should uphold. This mission is especially important as technologies develop at a faster rate than society can fully understand. Now more than ever, it is crucial to advocate for awareness and return to the core purpose of engineering, to solve problems—more specifically, to solve problems for humanity. Prioritizing the greater good of people should be at the forefront of engineering decisions, ensuring vulnerable groups aren’t exploited for monetary gain. The task at hand is easier said than done; however, if the purpose of engineering is to solve problems, it is contradictory to do so in ways that compromise human well-being. Profit-driven decisions are often considered attractive and prioritized; this mindset is not sustainable long-term, as it tends to violate fundamental ethical obligations in the process.

VCE is a platform that advocates for discussions that focus on real-world ethical issues, as each conversation reels us back to reflect on our responsibility as engineers beyond the technical scope and helps revive a world-minded perspective that may have been overlooked due to competing priorities and pressures. The papers in this volume emphasize how each decision, no matter the scale, carries weight and reveals the consequences when well-being and justice are neglected in the pursuit of self-interest.


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What is VCE?

Viterbi Conversations in Ethics is an educational forum for reasoned, informed, and relevant discussion of engineering ethics. Written, edited, and published by USC Viterbi School of Engineering students, Viterbi Conversations in Ethics will publish exceptional student work and responses, counter-points, and new perspectives from both peers and professionals.

How Are Our Articles Made?

Our articles are written by Viterbi’s own diverse student body. We gather outstanding papers from students enrolled in Viterbi’s Engineering Writing Program. After a rigorous selection process, we edit and publish the papers that we believe bring the most to the conversation.

Outside of the main magazine, our talented editors create Weekly News Profiles, which highlight ethical concerns in current events.