ENGR201 Tutorial 1

ENGR201 Professional Practice & Responsibility ©
Tutorial 1: Professionalism
The case study you will discuss here is related to the lecture on professionals and the
role they play in society.
In the lecture, we discussed the positions that professionals have in society and why it
is important to understand the relation between professionals and society at large. Bear
those points in mind when you read the case study below.
Case Study: Personal Beliefs in the Workplace

Don Shakow was a prominent professional who worked in Seattle and Massachusetts in
U.S. This case study discusses the nature of Don Shakow’s professional and personal
lives. When you read the case study, notice that Don had controversial personal
opinions and choices.
The heading of Don Shakow’s obituary reads, "Don Shakow’s moral beliefs put to test in
the workplace." Although as an economist (rather than an engineer), Shakow’s
commitments and expertise certainly overlapped those of engineers. Among other
things, he served as an expert witness on the economics of rapid-transit and public
energy proposals. In the mid-70s, he joined Mathematical Sciences Northwest to
evaluate proposed power projects for Seattle City Light Company, the city’s electricity
utility. His finding that regional energy needs were seriously over-estimated resulted in
Seattle City Light withdrawing its support for two Washington public power supply
system nuclear plants. Shakow’s former colleague, Frank Miller, commented that their
eventual construction "resulted in the largest utility-bond default in U.S. history."
Shakow supported many liberal political causes, such as organic farming, home grown
food, and food cooperatives. He protested against the Vietnam War. He co-founded the
Little Bread Co., which carried messages on its reader board, such as "We Can’t
Support One Gov’t ‒ Let Alone Thieu" (A reference to the then premier of South
Vietnam).
No doubt a somewhat controversial figure throughout his activist life, he was
characterized by the reporter, Carole Beers, as "that rare individual: he fully integrated
his moral beliefs into his work life."
Discuss the difficulties of fully integrating one’s moral beliefs into one’s work life.
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without the permission of the owner. 1
1. According to this case, what was the key thing Don Shakow was doing in his life?
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He was an economist, he was integrating his moral believes in his work life, which can
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question some of the judgements made during his career.
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2. Is it desirable to try to mix ones moral beliefs with work life? Support your answer
with an example.
We think we should not mix ones moral beliefs with work life, because it can affect
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someone judgement, and therefore take decision that will not benefits society. For
instance, his moral believes in green energy had the power plants construction
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suspended, which end up being the “largest utility-bond by default in U.S history”.
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3. Can one’s personal obligations conflict with the obligations that one has as a
professional engineer or employee? Support your answer with an example.
Personal obligations and goals can, in fact, diverge from what would be the most
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arbitrary solution . For instance, Don felt that the development of the power plant was
not environmentally friendly and harmful, thus he determined that the city's demand
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for electricity did not justify the construction.
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4. If so, how should such a conflict be resolved?
We have to evaluate all available contest, evaluate the pros and the cons of each.
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Decision made based on personal morals are not necessarily wrong, but one should
evaluate the benefits it brings to the majority of society. One should go with the solution
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that has the most pros with the least cons. Also, we should make sure that the result of
our decision do not come in conflict with the norms of the country
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ENGR201 Professional Practice & Responsibility ©

Case Study: Personal Beliefs in the Workplace

© May not be copied or duplicated

© May not be copied or duplicated

sabine hleiss : 40233571

© May not be copied or duplicated

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