Beyond the “Case” Reflecting Grief Studies in Engineering Ethics Education as a Preventive Ethics

Abstract

Engineering ethics has traditionally focused on preventive ethicsーavoiding accidents before they occur. Recently, intentional ethics, which emphasizes proactive ethical thinking, has gained attention, though preventive ethics remains essential. Case studies are widely used in ethics education to foster ethical imagination. However, summaries in textbooks are often too brief, limiting their effectiveness, especially in showing the human impact of accidents. This lack of victim perspectives can hinder ethical development. This article proposes incorporating victims' experiences, such as those from the Fukuchiyama derailment and JAL Flight 123 crash, to deepen understanding in preventive ethics education.