The second National Conference on Ethics in Engineering in Chicago is planned for October 2 and 3, 1981, under the auspices of the Center. The topic for the meeting will be “Beyond Whistle-Blowing: Defining Engineers’ Responsibilities.” Engineering and philosophy educators and other academic specialists will join with engineers from industry and government in sessions featuring formal papers, panels, and case studies. Discussion will focus on such problems as engineers’ organizational role, responsibilities for safety, risk assessment, cost/benefit analysis, decision-making under scientific uncertainty, and obligations of the profession as a whole.

Those wishing to participate in the program should submit papers no later than July 1, 1981. Papers should be submitted in duplicate (the original plus one copy), and prepared according to the MLA style sheet. We request that papers not exceed a reading time of twenty minutes, which usually amounts to about ten to twelve double-spaced, typewritten pages. Those who wish their papers returned if not accepted should include a stamped, self-addressed envelope. Please address inquiries and correspondence to the Director of the Conference:

Dr. Vivian Weil
Center for the Study of Ethics in the Professions
Illinois Institute of Technology
IIT Center
Chicago, Illinois 60616

In other news, Professor Fay Sawyier reports that she has been interviewing three to six architects a week, and will continue doing so during the coming months, for a case-study textbook concerning moral issues in architecture. She currently teaches a course in this area in the Philosophy section at IIT

Professor Kevin J. Hartigan of the Psychology Department sends word that he is working with two students on an article concerning the ethical problems psychologists confront in their professional lives. They are attempting to compile a list of every malpractice suit brought against psychologists, Psychiatrists, and social workers in the last five years from which they will tabulate such factors as the nature of the complaint, the disposition of the suit, licensure statutes, and other relevant material. Ultimately, they hope their work will be relevant to a discussion of the methodology of teaching the legal and ethical aspects of clinical work to psychologists.

The Center for the Study of Ethics in the Professions at the Illinois Institute of Technology was established in 1976 for the purpose of promoting education and scholarship relating to ethical and policy issues of the professions.

EDITOR: Robert F. Ladenson
ASSOCIATE EDITOR: Warren Schmaus
STAFF: Marion Denne, Kum Suk Cho, Cynthia Coleman, Kazys Ozelis
EDITORIAL BOARD: Thomas Calero, Mark Frankel, Norman Gevitz, Martin Malin, Martin Pimsler, Vivian Weil
CONSULTING EDITOR: George Bushnell

Opinions expressed in Perspectives on the Professions are those of the authors, and not necessarily those of the Center for the Study of Ethics in the Professions or the Illinois Institute of Technology. Center for the Study of Ethics in the Professions, Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago, Ill. 60616.