Engineers generally identify themselves as problem solvers. However, many fail to recognize the responsibility they hold. Often times, they focus on solving the problem without regard to the implications of the solution. James Liang, a Volkswagen engineer involved in the Volkswagen emissions scandal, is no exception. A recent publication unveiled the truth behind one of Volkswagen’s models. Unable to design an engine that complied with the US emissions regulations, Volkswagen instead developed a software that would cheat the emissions exam. The software was designed so that the vehicle would operate using the appropriate emissions during the exam and then revert back to its actual emissions release afterwards. Liang was not only involved in the development of this software, but was in charge of managing and addressing any concerns about this vehicle in the US. Was he right in doing so? No one was hurt in the development and implementation of the software, so why would it be wrong? The morality of Liang’s actions is assessed from a Kantian’s and rule utilitarian’s…show more content… In this definition, will is defined as your personal choice, desires, opinions, and attitude about something; it is the reason we act the way we do. Duty is the sense of obligation to act in accordance with a particular law or rule. We don’t always do what is our duty because our will may desire something else. Other key definitions to understanding Kantian Ethics include the definition of maxim and the categorical imperative. A maxim can be thought of as the values or moral laws that you believe you should abide by. Maxims are subjective; they are personal to each individual. To determine whether your maxim can become universal, we use the categorical imperative. The categorical imperative is composed of three formulations: the universal moral law, the law of the end-in-itself, and the law of
