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Chapter 13
The photo at the beginning of this chapter is of Socrates, who is referenced in
footnote 1.
Note that this book’s print appendices include the ethics codes for the AIA,
NSPE and the DBIA.
Any discussion of professional ethics must begin with a comparison and
contrast with morality and law.
Comparisons to morality may well put professional ethics in a better light.
Within morality, an affirmative duty to help others is highly contentious. (Am I my
brother’s keeper?) By contrast, both the AIA and NSPE impose affirmative duties
upon their members.
Similarly, the NSPE Code § II(1)(f) imposes an affirmative duty on engineers to
report “any alleged violation of this Code” to the authorities. Also, § III(2)(b)
requires an engineer to contact authorities and withdraw from a project if a client
or employer insists upon conduct not in conformity with engineering standards.
The new (since 2007) AIA Canon VI addresses an architect’s responsibility to
the environment. The canon has ethical standards but no ethical rule. E.S. 6.1
says “Members should be environmentally responsible and advocate sustainable
building and site design.” How would a student respond to such a canon?
Propose more expensive lighting systems which use less energy, then leave it up
to the client to decide how to proceed? Propose an institutional client investigate
geothermal heating and cooling? When do such proposals begin to undermine
the relationship with the client?
Design/build creates the clearest case for a potential conflict of interest. How
does the DBIA code respond? Does it adequately address the concerns of the
dissenting judge in the Charlebois case?
Answers to Chapter Questions
1.) What is the purpose of professional ethics and what is the ultimate penalty for
violating a code of ethics of a professional society?
2.) What are the six canons of the American Institute of Architects Code of Ethics?
3.) In the American Institute of Architects Code of Ethics, what is the difference
between Ethical Standards and Ethical Rules?
4.) According to the American Institute of Architects Code of Ethics Rule 2.105, what
must an architect do if he believes that his supervisor’s or client’s decisions could
endanger the safety of the public?
5.) If an architect does an objective review of the specifications and it shows that
delayed performance was caused by lack of clarity in the design, what does the
American Institute of Architects Code of Ethics require that architect to do?
6.) What are the six fundamental canons of the National Society of Professional
Engineers Code of Ethics?
7.) What are the seven rules of the American Institute of Constructors Code of Conduct?
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construction industry, (2) a constructor shall not engage in any deceptive
practice, or in any practice which creates an unfair advantage for the
constructor or another, (3) a constructor shall not maliciously or recklessly
injure or attempt to injure the professional reputation of others, (4) a
constructor shall ensure that when providing a service that includes advice,
such advice shall be fair and unbiased, (5) a constructor shall not divulge to
any person, firm, or company, information of a confidential nature acquired
during the course of professional activities, (6) a constructor shall carry out
responsibilities in accordance with current professional practice, and (7) a
constructor shall keep informed of new concepts and developments in the
construction process relative to his or her responsibilities.
8.) What is the difference between bid rigging and bid shopping?
9.) What are the ten categories of the Construction Management Association of
America’s Code of Professional Ethics?
10.) According to the Construction Management Association of America’s Code of
Professional Ethics, what are the factors that a construction manager promises to
never discriminate in the performance of their services?
