Abstract: As an emerging engineering paradigm, engineering ecology not only brings about an ethical turn

but also exposes the difficulty of defining and attributing responsibility. Within this context arises a new type

of engineering subject—the engineering bystander, referring to those situated within the engineering ecological

network yet failing to effectively assume responsibility. The responsibility deficiency of engineering bystanders

represents a reflective response to the attribution dilemma in engineering ecology. It stems not only from

individual moral disengagement but also from the structural interplay of ecological complexity and intelligent

technological embedding. Addressing this issue cannot rely solely on conventional role-based responsibility

allocation or regulatory instruments. Instead, it requires elevating ethical responsibility to the ecological level,

emphasizing an ecosystem-oriented conception of responsibility as the foundation for reconstructing moral agency

and achieving the effective bearing of responsibility within engineering ecology.

Key Words: Engineering ecology; Engineering bystanders; Responsibility absence; Engineering-Niche

responsibility

You can view the entire paper at:

https://jdn.ucas.ac.cn/public/uploads/files/6a05239c92003.pdf