For the following cases, answer the questions. First, what is the moral dilemma (or dilemmas), if any? In stating the dilemma, make explicit the competing moral reasons involved. Second, are there any concepts (ideas) involved in dealing with the moral issues that it would be useful to clarify? Third, what factual inquiries do you think might be needed in making a reliable judgment? What options are available and which of these options is required (obligatory, all things considered) or permissible (all right)?

Case 1: An aerospace engineer is volunteering as a mentor for a high school team competing in a national contest to build a robot that straightens boxes. The plan was to help the students on weekends for at most eight to ten hours. As the national competitions nears, the robot's motor over heats and the engine burns out. He wants to help the dispirited students and believes his mentoring commitment requires he do more. But doing so would involve additional work that could potentially harm his work, if not his family.

Case 2: A cafeteria an office building has comfortable tables and chairs, indeed too comfortable. They invite people to linger longer than the management desires. You are asked to design uncomfortable ones to discourage such lingering.

book: INTRODUCTION TO ENGINEERING ETHICS

AUTHOR: MIKE W. MARTIN, ROLAND SCHINZINGER