Archimedean Oath

The Archimedean Oath is an ethical code of practice for engineers and technicians, similar to the Hippocratic Oath used in the medical world. It was proposed in 1990 by a group of students of the École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne. The Archimedean Oath has since spread to a number of European engineering schools.

"Considering the life of Archimedes of Syracuse who illustrated the ambiguous potential of technology since the Antiquity,
Considering the growing responsibility of engineers and scientists towards societies and nature,
Considering the importance of the ethical problems stemming from technology and its applications,
Today, I commit to the following statements and shall endeavor to reach towards the ideal that they represent:

  • I shall practice for the good of humankind, respecting human rights1 and the environment.
  • I shall recognize the responsibility for my actions, after informing myself to the best of my abilities, and shall in no case discharge my responsibilities on another person
  • I shall endeavor to perfect my professional abilities
  • When choosing and implementing projects, I shall remain wary of their context and their consequences, notably in their technical, economic, social and ecological aspects. I shall give particular attention to projects with military applications.
  • I shall contribute, to the extent of my abilities, to promote equitable relationships between people and to support the development of economically weaker countries.
  • I shall transmit, with rigor and honesty, to discerningly chosen interlocutors, any important information, if it constitutes a gain for society or if its retention constitutes a danger for others. In the latter case, I shall ensure that the communication yields concrete action.
  • I shall not let myself be governed by the defense of my own interests or those of my corporation.
  • I shall endeavor, to the best of my abilities, to lead my company to take into account the preoccupations of the present oath.
  • I shall practice my profession in complete intellectual honesty, with conscience and dignity.

I solemnly take this oath, freely and on my honor."
1. According to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights of the United Nations (10 December 1948)

A shorter version goes:

"I commit to keeping completely, to the full extent of my capacities and judgment, the following promises:

  • I shall use my knowledge for the benefit of mankind.
  • I shall not put my skill to the service of people who do not respect human rights.
  • I shall not permit consideration regarding religion, nationality, race, sex, wealth and politics to harm people affected by my actions.
  • I shall bear the entire responsibility for my actions and shall in no way discharge them on another.
  • I shall practise in respect for the environment.
  • I shall not use my knowledge for destructive purposes.
  • I shall practise my profession in complete intellectual honesty, with conscience and dignity.

I solemnly take this oath, freely and on my honour."

See also

Further reading
  • Oath, website of the École nationale supérieure d'électronique, informatique et radiocommunications de Bordeaux.
  • Oath and ethical charter of the École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne
  • Ethical charter of the Institut national polytechnique de Grenoble.
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