Value justification and conscience in professional activities: A case study about scientists, technologists and engineers

Scientific reasons, practical reasons and profession obligations usually provide three basic value justifications in engineering practice. These justifications are necessary, but not sufficient. In engineering practice, the value justification in the professional activities of scientists, technologists and engineers should be based on “good” out of “true” and “utility.” When facing with the conflicts between multi-obligations and responsibilities, first of all a value priority order should be set up as far as possible and corresponding choice be made. If it is hard to give an explicit value hierarchy, then judging and weighing should be considered. If value conflicts come from multi-cultural encountering, then each encountered culture should be respected. Conscience is the “goalkeeper” if nothing works out, and it is the inner voice and conscience that should be listened to and obeyed for it is the last resort for value decision.