Which of the following actions would be considered unethical in engineering practices?

Withholding critical information from stakeholders is considered unethical in engineering practices because it directly undermines the principles of honesty, integrity, and accountability that are essential to the profession. Engineers have a professional responsibility to provide accurate and complete information to all relevant parties, including clients, colleagues, and the public. Transparency is crucial in fostering trust, ensuring informed decision-making, and facilitating effective communication among stakeholders.

In contrast, actions such as promoting ethical collaboration with peers and being transparent in decision-making are examples of ethical behavior that contribute positively to the engineering community. Keeping conflicts of interest confidential can also be seen in a negative light, depending on the circumstances, but it does not inherently violate ethical standards as long as proper disclosure is made when relevant to ensure transparency. In summary, withholding critical information not only jeopardizes the integrity of projects but can also lead to safety risks and professional liability, making it a clear breach of ethical conduct in engineering.