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This is the first thought that goes through every good MD's mind. "A good surgeon knows when not to operate."
by throwaway4220 6y ago
This is the first thought that goes through every good MD's mind. "A good surgeon knows when not to operate."
- damnyou 6y agoThat is very different from "first, do no harm". That is a cost-benefit calculation that many of us are familiar with in our own professions. "First, do no harm" just encodes status quo bias.
- throwaway4220 6y agoI think I understand what you mean. In med ethics you weigh: autonomy, justice, nonmaleficence (do no harm) and beneficence (do good). You're right, no harm is not blindly followed, but it is relevant to bring it up in this discussion.
- damnyou 6y agoRight, exactly.
- throwaway4220 6y agoI'm obviously biased but I think the same general principles should be disseminated widely to software engineering/programmers.
- bdcravens 6y agoThat's cost/benefit analysis, not adherence to a maxim.