Ethical issues in modeling: Some reflections

Ethics are involved in a model's purposes (for example, the purpose might be to increase a heroin dealer's profits). These purposes imply consideration of the various stakeholders (modelers, users, public) and their values. Ethics also concern professional standards of conduct for the modelers. These standards require that the modelers validate the model assumptions. Hence, modelers should provide model documentation. Validation, however, is virtually impossible when the model represents unique events, such as nuclear accidents; credibility is then the maximum attainable. Anyhow, modelers should try to develop ‘robust’ models; that is, models that are not very sensitive to their assumptions. This article pays special attention to the use of models in crime, war, and nuclear applications, which might be controversial applications indeed. It also discusses freedom of science. Hopefully, this article will stimulate further discussion in the academic community!