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Those seem plenty long winded, but no better in terms of precision. Selecting a random line from the ACM code: 4.01. Temper all technical judgments by the need

Those seem plenty long winded, but no better in terms of precision. Selecting a random line from the ACM code: 4.01. Temper all technical judgments by the need to support and maintain human values. What does that mean? I say that a short bulleted list of expectations is going to be more easy to digest and adhere to. Someone could hardly be expected to even know all of the rules in the ACM code, to say nothing of following them.

mkempe 12y ago
Indeed, these codes are far from perfect, and fewer rules are best. ACM members are expected to know that code and abide by it.
tinco 12y ago
It isn't vague if human values is well defined. You can just look at your technical dilemma and go through the list of human values. If your technical solution compromises any of those values it is your moral obligation as a subscriber to the ACM ethical values to revise or otherwise mitigate your judgement.
- jarrett 12y ago
  As far as I can tell, it's not defined in that document. If it were, what would that look like? What values would be on the list? How would you know whether a given action compromises one of those values?
  - mkempe 12y ago
    A good code of ethics includes aspects that require more context and incite more thinking. Maybe this particular rule is designed to make you ponder what you believe humanism is, and are you making decisions in accordance to it. Socrates wasn't providing laundry lists of rules -- but his method certainly helped many people think better and pursue better courses of action.
    - jarrett 12y ago
      > A good code of ethics includes aspects that require more context and incite more thinking. I agree that a good code of ethics could be that way. But I think that's less true if the code of ethics is coupled with a system of punishment. In a system where violations are punished, I think it's desirable for the rules to be as objective as possible. Otherwise, you risk arbitrary application and/or abuse of the rules. Further, well-meaning people should be able to read the rules, understand what is and is not permitted, and tailor their behavior accordingly. They should not have to worry that they will later be punished for breaking a rule they thought they were following.
- deleted 12y ago
  [deleted]

mkempe 12y ago

Indeed, these codes are far from perfect, and fewer rules are best. ACM members are expected to know that code and abide by it.

tinco 12y ago

It isn't vague if human values is well defined. You can just look at your technical dilemma and go through the list of human values. If your technical solution compromises any of those values it is your moral obligation as a subscriber to the ACM ethical values to revise or otherwise mitigate your judgement.

jarrett 12y ago
As far as I can tell, it's not defined in that document. If it were, what would that look like? What values would be on the list? How would you know whether a given action compromises one of those values?
- mkempe 12y ago
  A good code of ethics includes aspects that require more context and incite more thinking. Maybe this particular rule is designed to make you ponder what you believe humanism is, and are you making decisions in accordance to it. Socrates wasn't providing laundry lists of rules -- but his method certainly helped many people think better and pursue better courses of action.
  - jarrett 12y ago
    > A good code of ethics includes aspects that require more context and incite more thinking. I agree that a good code of ethics could be that way. But I think that's less true if the code of ethics is coupled with a system of punishment. In a system where violations are punished, I think it's desirable for the rules to be as objective as possible. Otherwise, you risk arbitrary application and/or abuse of the rules. Further, well-meaning people should be able to read the rules, understand what is and is not permitted, and tailor their behavior accordingly. They should not have to worry that they will later be punished for breaking a rule they thought they were following.
deleted 12y ago
[deleted]