Ethical behavior on Boeing's 737 MAX

From an aviation mechanic perspective, the central ethical issue on the MAX arguably circulates around the decision to use software, such as the MCAS (Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System) to “mask” a questionable hardware design with the repositioning of the engines, in front of the wing instead of under the wing, that disrupted the aerodynamics of the airframe. The system was already in use on the KC-46 Tanker aircraft but with significate changes to the redundancy sensors used. That decision along with not providing the aircrew with adequate training or knowledge on the system, with how it would react to certain flight characteristics would ultimately lead to the crashes of both aircraft. The ethics didn't stop with Boeing engineers or managerial leadership either, as the FAA reliance toward Boeing's self-regulations wasn't well placed and costed hundreds of lives lost. Ethically those in the aviation field have to hold the safety, health, and welfare of the public, while striving to comply with ethical design practices, and disclose promptly factors that might endanger the public or the environment, in the highest of regard. 

References:

Dominic Gates (June 2019): "The inside story of MCAS: How Boeing’s 737 MAX system gained power and lost safeguards"

News Article: https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/times-watchdog/the-inside-story-of-mcas-how-boeings-737-max-system-gained-power-and-lost-safeguards/