Engineering and Business Ethics - A Biblical Perspective

Dr. Timothy D. Blackburn, MBA, P.E.

Course Outline

This course explores the Biblical perspective of ethics. This is a study of ethics from a Biblical point of view, drawing on the Instructor's considerable training and experience in engineering, business, and theology (the Instructor is a graduate of engineering, business, and theological programs of study with a terminal Doctorate in Biblical Studies). In addition, the course provides its material in a current and respected philosophical framework.

This course includes a multiple choice quiz at the end, which is designed to enhance the understanding of the course materials.

Learning Objective

After the taking this course, the student should be understand and be familiar with the following:

• Understand basic Ethical Philosophical terms/concepts
  o Know the basic definition of Ethics
  o Understand the difference between Systematic Theology and Biblical Ethics
  o Know the definition of various fields of Ethics as follows
  . Metaethics
  . Normative Ethics
  . Descriptive Ethics
• Be able to articulate the meaning of and a case for Biblical Methathics
• Be familiar with the basic Van Til arguments
• Understand the historical context of Normative Ethics
• Review Biblical Normative Ethics as found in law and the Ten Commandments
• Review Biblical Normative Ethics as found in Principle
• Explore interpersonal Biblical Ethical principles, such as
  o The Golden Rule
  o forgiveness
  o Authority
  o Nondiscrimination
• Explore Financial Biblical Ethical principles, such as
  o Taxes
  o Debt
  o Budgeting
  o Honesty and Fairness in Dealings
  o Paying on time
  o Greed
• Understand the Biblical motivation for excellence
• Review Biblical principles for Safety and Responsibility
• Review Biblical principles for our responsibility for the Environment
  
  

Intended Audience

Anyone in business is the intended audience, but specifically Architects, Engineers, and Constructors who are interested in understanding Ethics from a Biblical perspective.

Benefit to Attendees

To learn Biblical principles of ethics, as well as understanding academic underpinnings that yield intellectual legitimacy. For a person that considers the Bible to be a source of wisdom, this course will summarize essentials necessary to function ethically. For the skeptic, there is value as well in that it provides a framework that is robust to scholarly scrutiny.

Course Introduction

Engineers are part of an applied science field. Engineers rely on certainties in the performance of their work, linked to scientific fact or well-developed and accepted theorem. Pipes are sized based on known resistance factors; air/moisture combinations are reflected on Psychrometric charts; beams are sized based on known structural criteria. It almost seems to be part of an engineer's nature to appreciate clear and verifiable facts. However, when it comes to Engineering Ethics, the sources of the premises are less clear, although most would agree on generally accepted rules of Ethics. When one explores the underlying premises of ethics, a person can easily get lost in the plethora of philosophical terms such as Consequentialism, Utilitarianism, Egoism, etc.

People of faith draw their source of ethics from their core beliefs. Ethicists will tell you that the highest form of ethical behavior is when one acts from an inner and intrinsic motivation. Much of Western culture and laws derive their state from Jewish and Christian tradition, as rooted in the Bible. Much of what we consider acceptable and appropriate ethical behavior finds its historical roots in Scripture. That being said, this course does not make the case that only believers in this tradition are ethical, but rather presents the historical framework that is derived from the Christian tradition.

Course Content

The course content is in a PDF file (64 KB) Engineering and Business Ethics - A Biblical Perspective. You need to open or download this document to study this course.

Course Content

1. Ethical Philosophy

a. Ethics defined
b. Difference between Systematic Theology and Biblical Ethics
c. Definition of various fields of Ethics

i. Metaethics
ii. Normative Ethics
iii. Descriptive Ethics

2. Biblical Methathics

a. Defined
b. Historical source of Biblical Ethics
c. The Van Til System

3. Biblical Normative Ethics - An Introduction and Historical Context

4. Biblical Normative Ethics - Law

a. Review of the Ten Commandments
b. Practical application

5. Biblical Normative Ethics - Principle

a. Interpersonal

i. The Golden Rule
ii. forgiveness
iii. Authority
iv. Nondiscrimination

b. Financial

i. Taxes
ii. Debt
iii. Budgeting

c. Honesty and Fairness in Dealings
d. Paying on time
e. Greed

6. Motivation for excellence
7. Safety and Responsibility
8. The Environment
9. Course Summary
10. Practical exercise

Course Summary

In this course, we will review the basic ethical principles necessary to understand a framework in which to view Ethics from a Biblical perspective - academically and practically. Then, we will review certain Biblical absolutes (law) and principles that are underpinnings of many contemporary and accepted ethical standards. For the person of faith, the Bible can be a legitimate source of solid ethical behavior in business and the practice of engineering.

Quiz

Once you finish studying the above course content, you need to take a quiz to obtain the PDH credits.

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DISCLAIMER: The materials contained in the online course are not intended as a representation or warranty on the part of PDH Center or any other person/organization named herein. The materials are for general information only. They are not a substitute for competent professional advice. Application of this information to a specific project should be reviewed by a registered architect and/or professional engineer/surveyor. Anyone making use of the information set forth herein does so at their own risk and assumes any and all resulting liability arising therefrom.

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