Reason and emotion in engineering ethics education

This chapter discusses the relationship between reason and emotion in engineering ethics education (EEE), focusing on psychological and sociological perspectives. It identifies some factors that have led to emotions not being adequately considered alongside reasoning in the research on, or practice of, engineering ethics education. The chapter argues that reason and emotion are essential to consider at multiple levels of social analysis, including the individual, interpersonal, and societal. To aid researchers and ethics teachers in better reflecting emotion alongside reason in EEE and better conceptualizing these connections, the chapter draws upon several integrating concepts. Ultimately, it suggests that EEE must engage more with sociology – and with moral and social psychology – to better incorporate emotions into research and practice.