The Need for Choice: Robots or Engineers?

This commentary might be aimed at engineers but it would apply to all humans. Because, as we are all human organisms, all of us are together in the same boat, as we inhabit this incredibly thin layer of our planet.

In our daily lives we are required to make many choices, as engineers and in other roles. Our normal tasks at work, at home, or anything else we do as human organisms often do not challenge us to a large degree, and we make our choices as to what to do casually and with minimal thought. These choices are often based on our prior experiences. There are times however when we are pressured or dictated to make a specific choice in our task by our management. (Here you may feel free to substitute any other word for “management” which you feel is appropriate.) Our management sometimes regards us as robots to be programmed for their desired responses and to achieve suitable actions.

Are we robots, or are we good, experienced engineers? I am suggesting that we are truly good engineers. (Here you may feel free to substitute any other word for “engineers” which you feel is appropriate.) I suggest that we inherently know the distinction between what is “right” and what is “wrong” in relation to our tasks.

It will become clear to a thinking human organism when we are placed into a situation where there is a need for choice, and that we, as good engineers, have the responsibility to choose the “right path” to follow for us, in seeking a solution to our task. In my view, we humans, who question our own existence and purpose, who can create things of beauty for no particular reason other than it feels “right”, have implanted within us the understanding of the distinction between what is “right” and what is “wrong.” We have clear access to this distinction. It then becomes a matter of how thoroughly we have been programmed to follow orders. History clearly shows that thoughtless following of orders can be catastrophic and destructive.

Our “company”, just like ourselves only inhabits the same incredibly thin layer of this planet upon which we are all moving, like ants on the ground. If we wish to feel insignificant, simply compare our size to the size of Earth, then compare Earth to our Sun, and our star to our Galaxy. In spite of our insignificance, we have implanted within us the ability to choose what is “right” over what is “wrong.” An amazing gift indeed! I do not suggest rebelling against management. They have a useful part to perform in this play.

I now quote one portion from the “Engineers’ Creed,” adopted by the National Society of Professional Engineers:
“I pledge: . . . . To place service before profit, the honor and standing of the profession before personal advantage, and the public welfare above all other considerations.” When the need for choice is thrust upon us, I trust we shall respond as good engineers, not as robots. Please, as you respond to that need for choice, look to your own soul first, then to your heart, then to your intellect. Ignore the programming. The right path leads to the right outcome.

Do good work!