Hacker ethic

The hacker ethic refers to a collection of ethical values ​​that should be decisive for the hacker culture. For these ethics there are now several definitions. Central values ​​in the different formations freedom, cooperation, voluntary and self-chosen work and parts.

Steven Levy coined the term in his book Hackers of 1984, and provided a first collection of principles of the hacker ethic on. It documented by Levy the impression of the values ​​of the early hacker community at MIT. This hacker ethic, according to the interpretation of the Jargon File, the belief that the dissemination of software and technical documentation is good and right; the ethical duty of a hacker is to pass on his knowledge by writing software and technical documentation.

Definition of Levy

Levy described in his book Hackers, the teenagers, the new one in the 1960s at MIT - developed subculture - centered around computer. This was reflected on the one hand resist the fascination of technology, the Elite idea of ​​MIT as well as a strong desire for freedom. This hacker ethic emphasized the freedom to express themselves and explore each technique, and change for the better, which was a hands on. She stressed values ​​of sharing and cooperation. Levy ran from the values ​​of several principles from hackers:

Later developments

Spread the term used was the hacker ethic, and discourses that are based on the principles established by Levy, since the mid- 1980s. While the original hacker ethic developed at MIT, the principles of the hacker ethic in the wider world began to conform to in the 1980s. Followers of such an ethic related also to the principles of freedom, openness, and cooperation, but these are often invited more politically and culturally.

Parts and cooperation

The early hackers at MIT were working on university-owned machines, most of which were funded by the ARPA. First Computer Club in California were mostly founded by hobbyists who joined no financial intentions with their hobby. As to emerge in the early 1980s began, that microcomputer and software for this a promising market segment would, and began to emerge commoditization of hardware and software, the framework of the hacker ethic changed. Many former members of the scene were suddenly in competition with each other; the practice not to share information and keep secrets, or at least could pay off financially in the short term.

Computer Security

She was also taken up by the hacker scene in the field of computer security, reinterpreted in this context, some of them, and conceived as work ethics, which deals with the moral of information handling, such as in information ethics. Although not called hacker ethic, come the mid 1980s theoretical approaches that clearly derive from this: the Hacker Manifesto of 1986, the maxim Information wants to be free of 1984 by Stewart Brand or Genocide2600 Manifesto.

The hacker ethic to Wau Holland and the CCC is an extension of the points documented by Steven Levy and a re-interpretation in the context of computer security. After hacking into computer systems for the purpose of pleasure and knowledge extension should be acceptable as long as no data is stolen or altered.

Eric S. Raymond defined 1996, the hacker ethic on two principles: Firstly, there is the obligation to publish and share information. Second, it is the belief that the penetration into and hacking of systems is justified, as long as no damage will be done. During the first principle in the hacker scene was undisputed, and spread, for example, by Free Software, the second was not accepted without controversy.

Himanen

The Finnish Pekka Himanen author tried in 2001 in the book of the same name on a reformulation of the hacker ethic. Himanen defines a hacker as someone who follows his passion, in which he can fulfill himself, and thereby creates something good for everyone. For Himanen the hacker ethic is a new work ethic that is the Protestant work ethic in question. In contrast to the control, which emphasizes the Protestant work ethic, is in the hacker ethic exchange and freedom that lead to prosperity for all.

Himanen leads the hacker ethic back to Plato and the values ​​of the scientific community. He refers to Plato's statement that true knowledge results in a sudden and only when one lives and often family and communicate with each other. For Himanen the Codex, the hacker is very similar to the ideal image of science that has historically proven to be superior to knowledge generation and sharing.

Reception

The compatibility of the interpretation of the documented by Levy hacker ethic by the CCC and the interpretation that represents the Jargon File is controversial.

The software developer Richard Stallman claims that the hacking and ethics are two separate matters.