Is safety considered a purely objective matter in engineering ethics?

Safety in engineering ethics is fundamentally viewed as involving subjective elements, making it not purely objective. While objective metrics and standards exist to assess safety—such as testing procedures, regulations, and compliance with codes—individual perceptions and interpretations of safety are often influenced by personal experiences, values, and cultural contexts.

For instance, a design that meets all technical safety standards may still be perceived as unsafe by certain users or communities due to historical events or specific vulnerabilities. This highlights that while technical assessments can provide an objective framework for analyzing safety, stakeholders’ personal beliefs and societal norms play a crucial role in shaping what is ultimately considered safe or acceptable.

Additionally, discussions around ethical engineering often involve balancing risk, utility, and the broader implications of safety decisions, which cannot be entirely captured by objective criteria alone. Thus, acknowledging the subjective aspects is essential for a comprehensive understanding of safety in engineering ethics.