From the Editor
Dear VCE readers,
The mission of our publication has always been to cultivate a sense of ethical responsibility within the engineering community. For nearly a decade, we have used our platform to bring ethical dilemmas within the industry to light. While this remains the backbone of our work here, we wanted to let another ethical conversation take the forefront by peering straight into the character of engineers. What better way to promote ethics than by distinguishing traits that make one ethical? This special edition on virtuous engineers does exactly that.
Ayush Agarwal begins with the triad of patience, humility and curiosity. Maintaining patience with collaborators and during failures are fundamental parts of the engineering process. Humility cultivates a growth mindset that allows engineers to grow from their mistakes and learn from those around them. Meanwhile, curiosity provides an engineer with the means to break free from their comfort zones, to explore the unknown, and to take their field to new depths.
Amanda Akrawi also believes that curiosity is one of the most valuable traits an engineer can possess. She argues that curiosity is the spark to an engineer’s creative fire but that a truly virtuous engineer wields this trait along with a strong sense of discernment. Working in tandem with curiosity, an aptitude for discernment eliminates the possibility of burning anyone with their creative fire. These traits become even more valuable in the presence of a strong collaborative spirit. The best engineers rely on diverse inputs that expand their perspectives and supplement gaps in their knowledge in order to optimize their designs.
Similarly, Diego Rodriguez maintains that a virtuous engineer is one who keeps an open mind. As stated by the author, “Advancement is born from the convergence of ideas.” Rodriguez also believes that integrity and authenticity are vital traits for an ethical engineer. An engineer with integrity will do the right thing even if it means sacrificing personal gain. On the other hand, authenticity keeps an engineer’s moral will strong and deters them from short cuts that could compromise their work.
Closely related to authenticity is altruism, a trait selected by Diandra Tjokrosaputro due to its ability to connect an engineer to the community they serve. Like Rodriguez, she also believes that integrity is crucial for a virtuous engineer. She focuses on integrity in conjunction with courage as an engineer possessing these traits takes accountability for failed projects and knows when to take a stand.
Last but not least, Stefano Corno describes why joy, compassion, and rigor are the three traits necessary in the making of a virtuous engineer. A true joy for engineering protects against external pressures that can jeopardize the integrity of one’s work. Compassion allows engineers to bring a thorough understanding of their work and who it impacts. Rigor harmonizes these qualities by ensuring engineers respect set values and expectations.
Each of these papers may identify a unique set of traits, but they emphasize a similar theme. A virtuous engineer is one who can connect their work to the people and world around them. Something that transcends greed or glory. Something that is for the greater good. These traits may seem difficult to come by, but they can be obtained by intentionally practicing them every day. We at VCE thank the diligent work of these authors and our dedicated readers for making this special volume possible!
Janessi Diaz, VCE Editor-in-Chief
- The Virtues of Engineering
Engineers are tasked with improving everyday life with our technologies. This is a tremendous responsibility. Our work touches the lives of almost all individuals. To fulfill this responsibility, we must imbue certain virtues into our character to ensure our creations are virtuous. Thus, to be a virtuous engineer one must possess the traits of patience, humility, and curiosity. - The Building Blocks of an Ethical Engineer: Curiosity, Discernment, and Collaborative Spirit
Engineers must embody a unique blend of traits that empower them to address the complex challenges in their field. The cultivation of curiosity, discernment, and a collaborative spirit equips engineers with specific skills necessary to contribute innovative solutions to the world. Curiosity pushes them to lend their expertise and time to discovery. Discernment allows engineers to select design characteristics and objectively evaluate flaws to ensure that their creations align with their ethical responsibilities. A collaborative spirit helps engineers expand their perspectives, supplement gaps in their knowledge, optimize design results, and ensure the best possible outcome for a project. These traits, along with the necessary ethical background, must be integrated into engineering curriculums to shape a sustainable future for generations to come. - Open, Upright, and True, Despite Temptation
In an ever-evolving technological landscape, defining the ideal engineer is complex. The role of an engineer is not merely to innovate, for their responsibilities go beyond their field of study. Certain attributes form the foundation of a proficient engineer. These virtues, integrity, authenticity, and open-mindedness, can guide an engineer in developing their moral compass, which is an essential asset in practice. As servants to society, engineers should resist the temptation to exploit new technologies and remain true to themselves, exemplifying respectful attributes in the workplace. The future of engineering remains obscure due to the rapid pace of technological development. In such moments, it is crucial to remember why the role of an engineer is invaluable in the first place: to make the world a better place. - USC Viterbi School Prepares Virtuous Leaders in Engineering
Engineering requires a certain dedication to protect the communities being served. This dedication is fostered by ethical engineers. The USC Viterbi School of Engineering aspires to cultivate such engineers. To ensure they live up to ethical obligations, Viterbi should look to establish its students with the values of integrity, altruism, and courage. Engineers with integrity exhibit perseverance in the face of failure and hold themselves accountable for the honest delivery of research findings. Through altruism, engineers are able to dedicate themselves to the people and environments their choices will impact. Lastly, courageous engineers push aside selfish desires, address uncomfortable truths, and have an unwavering commitment to represent those who cannot have a say in decisions. Together, these traits equip engineers with the characteristics needed to create a better future. - A Dreamer, A Destroyer of Worlds
The recent room-temperature superconductor LK-99 controversy highlighted significant challenges within scientific communication and raised critical questions about the role of engineering in societal advancement. LK-99’s rapid rise and fall from scientific prominence reflects a need for essential virtues of engineering practice. This article analyzes the engineer’s societal role and establishes a framework to emphasize the importance of three virtues – joy, compassion, and rigor. These virtues are crucial for fostering responsible innovation and advancing human well-being through technology.