Skule Lunch & Learn: Ethics in an Age of Uncertainty

As a practical field, engineering has often preferred a utilitarian approach to ethics. However, in a world of automation and artificial intelligence, such an approach may be unequal to the task.

To overcome this, we need to reframe our thinking through an ethical lens. Doing so entails building a robust and flexible approach to ethical decision-making. This approach must allow for uncertainty before we can manage and work with a rapid influx of complex ideas.

On February 8th, Professor Robert Irish will explore two approaches—one built from classical virtue ethics and one from Indigenous care ethics. In his presentation, he will discuss the role of ethics in engineering education and the profession and how these approaches can help us to see our world more holistically.