Engineering Pledges and Oaths -(How to Be a Good Engineer, Speaker's Guide)

The idea of taking a pledge or oath has been discussed often in professional circles. Some argue that publicizing a pledge or oath at least raises awareness to social implications, even if the pledge or oath itself is not taken seriously. Two relatively recent examples, drawn from several, are given here.

The Humboldt Pledge

I (name) pledge to thoroughly investigate and take into account the social and environmental consequences of any job opportunity I consider.

Since 1987 this pledge has appeared at the commencement exercises of Humboldt State University (California) for graduates to sign voluntarily. It was suggested by the work of Professor Charles Schwartz, Physics Department, University of California Berkeley, and was drafted in 1987 by Matt Nicodemus and Jenny Berman of the Student Citizens for Social Responsibility at HSU. Since then the pledge has received national press coverage and has appeared in various forms in high schools and colleges in the USA. It is reprinted here by courtesy of the Graduation Pledge Alliance at Humboldt State University, which encourages its adoption by others.

For more information, contact: Graduation Pledge Alliance, Box 4439, Arcata, CA 95521.

The Hippocratic Oath for Scientists, Engineers, and Executives

• I vow to practice my profession with conscience and dignity;
• I will strive to apply my skills only with the utmost respect for the well-being of humanity, the earth and all its species;
• I will not permit considerations of nationality, politics, prejudice or material advancement to intervene between my work and this duty to present and future generations;
• I take this oath solemnly, freely and upon my honour.

This oath is reproduced from the newsletter, Astronomers and the Arms Race, P.O. Box 2218, Cambridge, MA 02238. It is credited to Paul Codling, The Institute for Social Inventions, 24 Abercorn Place, London, England NW8 9XP. Mr. Codling requests that persons taking the oath inform him of it by mail.