Ignorance Is Not Ethical

Imperative 2.3 of the ACM Code of Ethics is to know and respect existing laws pertaining to professional work. The use of the word "know" is an interesting insertion into this imperative. This implies that, not only are we responsible for upholding the laws which we are aware of. We are also responsible to actively seek to become aware of the laws which we may be ignorant of. I think this is a great ideal because ignorance is irresponsibility. If one has decided to become a professional in a career he should be held accountable for obeying the law within his profession. It should be just as important for a professional to know the cultures, ethics, and laws, in a particular field, as it is for them to know the trade.